Their Story

Vivian and Kelvin Olumide arrived in Canada in from Nigeria in 2015, on what was supposed to have been a family holiday with her then husband. Vivian and Kelvin were abruptly abandoned in a hotel in Toronto with no money after Vivian’s husband returned to Nigeria. They have been living in Canada without legal status since that time.  Vivian’s former husband had been extremely abusive to her physically while they were married and he and members of his family have made numerous threats against Vivian’s life if she were to return to Nigeria.

Vivian and Kelvin’s immigration applications have been complicated by the fact that Vivian has been the victim of several fraudulent or exploitative actions by people who claimed expertise in Canadian immigration law. Vivian and Kelvin are currently at risk of deportation. Their immigration struggles have caused considerable upheaval and mental anguish. Vivian and Kelvin are now being represented by Lorne Waldman, one of the top immigration lawyers in the country.

At 11 years of age, Kelvin is a confident, bright and outgoing boy who is deeply rooted in his new community. Vivian works at a retirement home and is in a training program to become a Personal Support Worker.

A group of friends and supporters of Vivian have created the “Pursuit of Safety #HamOnt” campaign. This effort is focused on:

– Raising community awareness around the struggles Vivian and Kelvin have faced as they have attempted to attain legal immigration status in Canada;
– Engaging political leaders to positively influence the outcome of Vivian and Kelvin’s immigration efforts; and
– Helping to fund their legal costs ($20,000 was raised in 2021).