‘Dark clouds and sleepless nights’ are over for Hamilton’s Vivian and Kelvin as they avoid deportation to Nigeria

Even as Vivian Olumide's quest to remain in Canada with her 11-year old son, Kelvin, seemed tantalizingly close, a part of her prepared to run if necessary.

What if immigration officials once more ordered their deportation to Nigeria, in West Africa - where they have not lived in six and a half years, and where, she said, they would face an uncertain and perhaps violent future?

When these thoughts crept into her mind, Vivian would imagine seeking asylum in their church, Central Presbyterian on Charlton Avenue West in Hamilton, protected by congregants who have supported and watched over them like guardian angels.

I couldn't stop thinking about the worst case scenario," said Vivian. A part of my brain was still in flight mode."

And then came Friday, June 3. It is a date, she said, that will now stand out on the calendar like a second birthday.

Or perhaps an early Canada Day.

That was the day when the 37-year old woman dropped to her knees in her workplace, cried out in a voice tinged with pain of the past and joy of the present, and praised the Lord for all to hear.

It was last November, on the day before her actual birthday, that Vivian and Kelvin, who live on the Central Mountain, were ordered by the Canada Border Service Agency to be out of Canada by Jan. 4, 2022.

Six years earlier, they had arrived in Toronto for a vacation, along with Vivian's then-husband, who is also Kelvin's father. She said that when the husband returned to Nigeria, he told her not to follow him, but then later demanded Kelvin return to him.

Vivian claimed refugee status together with her only child, but their subsequent application to remain in the country as refugees was denied, as was their appeal. The first order for them to leave Canada was issued in 2017.

In 2021 they applied to remain on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, but were again denied.

There were always dark clouds and many sleepless nights," said Vivian. All I wanted was for us to stay and to be safe."

What they had going for them were friends in Hamilton who waged a campaign to help. A crowdfunding effort raised $19,800 toward legal fees, and social media posts trumpeted their cause.

With time running out, a prayer vigil in their honour was held at the church.

And then, before Christmas, their lawyer Lorne Waldman successfully appealed the denial of the humanitarian application with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. The deportation order was withdrawn.

The appeal refocused their case, emphasizing that it was in Kelvin's best interests to remain in Canada. He has flourished in Hamilton, where he sings in a choir, plays piano, excels in school, and has made close friends.

But while their case for obtaining permanent resident status looked strong, official approval dragged on for the next five months.

Tom Fleming, one of Vivian's closest friends and advocates, said it took far longer than expected.

Until Vivian had something in her hands saying she was in - well, it keeps you on edge."

She continued working parttime in long-term care facilities as a PSW (Personal Support Worker). She takes the bus to work each day and loves her job.

She was working a shift at St. Peter's Residence at Chedoke last week when it happened.

Wearing her scrubs, Vivian was on a break when she checked her phone. There was an email from an immigration official. Oh no, she thought. What now?

The email was vanilla in tone. But it included a link to a portal to create Canadian permanent resident cards for her and Kelvin.

Permanent resident.

I just started screaming," she said I couldn't believe what I was seeing. One of the ladies asked me: are you OK?' I said yes, I have good news, my PR was approved! I knelt in the hallway, I felt like I couldn't breathe, but I calmed myself down ... I felt like I walked through fire to get to this point. I said, God is real, and thank you, Jesus."

She told Kelvin the news after school.

It's a relief that now I don't have to leave the friends I've made," Kelvin told The Spectator.

Just a few days ago, Vivian heard that she has been hired full-time as a PSW at an Ancaster long-term-care home. She had been praying for that, too.

In recent months she has been attending a women's discussion group offered by Good Shepherd. She said it has helped her learn to forgive herself, for mistakes she has made, as well as those who have hurt her, including her ex-husband.

I forgive him," she said. That chapter has been closed ... Everything feels settled."

Vivian decided this week to get a hair cut, but go all the way with it and shave her head bald.

My son said you're crazy!' But it makes me feel new again."

She wants her head bare, for moments of her choosing when she can touch the scalp with her fingers, and feel the air, and in the shower, water kissing the skin, cascading over her as though being baptized each time.

Jon Wells is a feature writer at The Spectator. jwells@thespec.com