Mother, baby start anew after year-long struggle as illegal residents in UAE

Dubai - Up until three months ago, Hope and her baby were going door-to-door in Ajman, begging for alms.

On September 10, the year-long struggle of 29-year-old Nigerian mother Hope Edemevugh and her nine-month-old daughter Favour came to a blessed ending.
One of the beneficiaries of the ongoing amnesty programme 'Protect Yourself by Modifying Your Status' launched by the UAE government in August, Hope said: "I don't know what would've become of me if not for the UAE amnesty."
Speaking to Khaleej Times from her hometown near Lagos, Nigeria, on Tuesday, Hope said she had already applied for a visit visa to the UAE and is frantically looking for jobs online.
Hope and her baby daughter were allegedly abandoned by her husband immediately after Favour was born in December 2017. Up until three months ago, Hope and her baby were going door-to-door in Ajman, begging for alms.
After months of facing financial struggles and several other hurdles, she and her daughter availed of the amnesty in September, and she is looking forward to leading a more productive life. They flew back to Nigeria on September 10.
"I want my daughter to have a good life. My main goal is to find a job so that I can provide her with a good education," said Hope. "When we were in Dubai, matters were very tough. We didn't have a proper roof over our head or food to eat. My daughter was seven months old, and she was never vaccinated because I couldn't afford it."
After returning to Nigeria, Hope gave her baby the early stage vaccinations and the baby is now residing with Hope's mother as she figures out a job for herself. She is now on the lookout for employment. "I would like to come back to Dubai and look for a job - anything in sales, anything that would help me support my daughter," she said.
She advised all amnesty-seekers to avail of the service immediately as it is a great opportunity being provided to the people by the UAE government. "Without the amnesty, my freedom would not have been possible. There was immense support from so many people. I want to thank the UAE government, my church pastor, the readers of Khaleej Times and those who helped me financially. Thank you for saving our lives."
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Dubai