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.
1. Blood Drive: In its ongoing collaboration with the American Red Cross, Femi's Heart Foundation conducts annual blood drives to support those in need in our community and in Benin, West Africa.
2. Scholarship: Providing assistance to graduating high school seniors who are dealing with health challenges in the Greater Metropolitan Omaha area via scholarship opportunities.
3. Gift Basket Gift: to collaborate with local nonprofits like Make-A-Wish and Heart Heroes to offer crucial support to children and families. Through these partnerships, Femi’s Heart will provide gift baskets containing essential items, art supplies, and gift cards, ensuring that every child and family receives the care and resources they need during challenging times.
4. Femi's Heart HOPE Center: Build Infrastructure and Vocational Training Center in Benin Republic by collaborate directly with NGOs in the United States and overseas to facilitate infrastructure development and vocational training for orphans transitioning from orphanages and disadvantaged youth in Benin who lack essential skills. Through these partnerships, we aim to provide comprehensive training in areas such as computer literacy, sewing, hair braiding, driving, art, culinary arts, hospitality, decoration, and restoration. Our goal is to create sustainable opportunities for growth and self-reliance, empowering these individuals to care for themselves and break the cycle of poverty, drug addiction, and sex trafficking. Additionally, we seek to provide girls with the opportunity to avoid forced marriages with men who have multiple wives. Through these efforts, we aspire to foster independence and resilience among our beneficiaries, equipping them with the skills needed to build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
5. Build a Pediatric Heart Inpatient Treatment Center: We are committed to establishing a dedicated pediatric heart inpatient treatment center in Benin. This facility will provide comprehensive care for children with heart diseases, offering hope and healing to vulnerable patients and their families. (Modernize and equip).
6. Annual Medical Mission to Benin Republic, West Africa: The Femi's Heart Annual Medical Mission trip to the Benin Republic in West Africa is dedicated to performing free annual medical examinations for 300-500 children. The mission's objective is the early identification of medical conditions or diseases, which facilitates timely medical intervention and treatment via partnerships with local hospitals
7. Annual Back to School Project:
Femi's Heart Back-to-School Project is a cornerstone initiative through which we provide backpacks and essential school supplies to over 250 children annually, both in our local community and in Benin. This project aims to ensure that every child has the necessary tools to excel academically and pursue their educational aspirations. The Femi's Heart Back-to-School Project reflects our commitment to educational access, equity, and opportunity for all children, both locally and internationally. By providing backpacks, school supplies, and support, we aim to ignite a love for learning and empower children to reach their full potential academically and beyond.
8. School Meals and After-School Tutoring in Benin:
We provide nutritious meals and after-school tutoring support to orphans and disadvantaged children in Benin. By addressing basic needs and promoting education, we empower these children to reach their full potential.
9. FB4Kids: Femi's Heart, together with FB4Kids, offers complimentary bicycles and helmets to children in need in our community before Christmas.
Our pledge is to nurture a robust, inclusive, and empathetic community. We aim to enable all individuals to prosper and contribute to the greater good. By combining our efforts, we can bring about change and have an enduring impact on the lives of those we aid. Through these endeavors, Femi's Heart Foundation is unwavering in its pursuit to positively affect the lives of people and communities, both near and far. Collectively, we endeavor to celebrate Femi's memory and shape a world where every child can flourish and achieve success. Together, we are transforming lives and fostering love, hope, and restoration.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
P.O. Box 1626 Bellevue, NE 68005