herLIFE
“In blood there’s life, and I needed a lot of it when I was going through everything.” - Femi
Everyone who met Femi was captivated by her sweet and vivacious personality. Diagnosed with congenital heart disease at the age of nine, Femi faced her challenges with courage while awaiting a new heart. During her hospitalization, she received over six packs of blood. After her surgery, Femi recognized the importance of blood donation firsthand and expressed her desire to donate her own blood to help another patient at the children's hospital.
A year following her successful heart transplant at Omaha Children's Hospital, where Femi received exceptional care, we partnered with the Red Cross to organize the inaugural annual blood drive as a way to give back. In recognition of her inspiring journey, Femi was named Children's Ambassador by Omaha Children's Hospital in 2015-2016 and featured in organ donation news and various platforms.
Tragically, five years after her transplant, Femi’s heart failed on August 26, 2019. On the anniversary of her passing, the Olouwafemi S. J. Tevoedjre Foundation, Inc. (Femi's Heart Foundation) was established to honor and continue her legacy. Our State of Nebraska Account Number is 2007114995, and our EIN # is 85-1978084.
thePARADOXES
Paradox 1: Even if you’re afraid, be brave anyway
Femi was a student in my junior high girls’ small group at church for 6th-8th grades. But here is the contradiction—the paradox. Femi taught me far more than I ever taught her.
Inspired by Dr. Kent Keith who wrote the "Paradoxical Commandments" which hung in Mother Teresa's children’s home in Calcutta, India, I shared what Femi taught me a
Femi was a student in my junior high girls’ small group at church for 6th-8th grades. But here is the contradiction—the paradox. Femi taught me far more than I ever taught her.
Inspired by Dr. Kent Keith who wrote the "Paradoxical Commandments" which hung in Mother Teresa's children’s home in Calcutta, India, I shared what Femi taught me at her funeral.
-Ms. Angela Welch Prusia, Femi's small group leader
Paradox 1: Even if you’re afraid, be brave anyway
Paradox 1: Even if you’re afraid, be brave anyway
The first time I visited Femi in the hospital after her heart transplant, a family member prayed in French. I couldn’t understand the words, but I felt like I was standing in heaven despite all the beeping machines and antiseptic hospital smells. We circled around this little girl who could’ve been so afraid, and all I could see was Femi’
The first time I visited Femi in the hospital after her heart transplant, a family member prayed in French. I couldn’t understand the words, but I felt like I was standing in heaven despite all the beeping machines and antiseptic hospital smells. We circled around this little girl who could’ve been so afraid, and all I could see was Femi’s huge smile. Even when she was afraid, Femi chose to be brave anyway.
Paradox 2: When you feel weak, be strong anyway
A few weeks before Femi’s death, I visited the hospital again. As we chatted and played cards, Femi’s laughter spilled out into the hallway. She missed much of the end of her freshman year, and here she was in the hospital again, right before her sophomore year started. Femi felt weak. She wanted to be at school like everyone else, but she chose to be strong anyway.
Paradox 3: When you don’t think you’re good enough, try anyway
Femi was a natural leader even though she didn’t see herself as a leader. “Don’t be like everybody else,” Femi once told the junior high girls at church. “If everyone around you is cussing, say something original in Old Shakespearean English instead. 'Art though both a fool and a coward? Methinks you are a buffoon.'” Even though Femi didn
Femi was a natural leader even though she didn’t see herself as a leader. “Don’t be like everybody else,” Femi once told the junior high girls at church. “If everyone around you is cussing, say something original in Old Shakespearean English instead. 'Art though both a fool and a coward? Methinks you are a buffoon.'” Even though Femi didn’t think she was good enough to lead, she tried anyway. And guess what, Femi was better than she ever imagined.
Paradox 4: When you’re hurting, love anyway
Femi and I had countless conversations. She confided her hurts and disappointments, but more than once, she asked me to pray for a friend. Femi had an old soul. She saw beyond appearances and into the heart. Because of this depth, even when Femi was hurting, she loved anyway.
Paradox 5: Even though Femi is gone from this earth, live for Jesus anyway
Femi loved Jesus. Her beauty radiated from her striking smile and absolute inner joy. Femi carried herself with confidence and poise because she knew she was loved by God. People often remarked that Femi looked like a queen. That’s because Femi knew she was the daughter of the King of all Kings. I can almost hear her heart thumping as she
Femi loved Jesus. Her beauty radiated from her striking smile and absolute inner joy. Femi carried herself with confidence and poise because she knew she was loved by God. People often remarked that Femi looked like a queen. That’s because Femi knew she was the daughter of the King of all Kings. I can almost hear her heart thumping as she dances in heaven with Jesus. Thump, thump, thump. Tell everyone that Jesus can give you a new heart.
Femi's life is a reminder of God’s sacrifice. His son, Jesus, died on a cross in our place and rose again so we could live with hope, the hope of eternal life. We don’t have to fear death when we surrender to Jesus and ask Him to live in our hearts. That’s worth celebrating!
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Olouwafemi SJ Tevoedjre Foundation, INC. (Femi's Heart Foundation)
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