US Embassy Nairobi Kenya - Local Kenyan Hero Anne Okelo Awaits a 2nd Appt at US Embassy to get her Reentry Stamp and return to US. Her Visa Does Not Expire Until June 2011.  

Click on the "Sign Now" image to the left to see a video of Anne's story.

On Sunday, February 20, 2011 Anne Okelo and a group of Americans left the US to go to Kenya. The trip is a culmination of a dream for Anne. Anne was born and raised in a remote village of Kenya and as a young girl she suffered many injustices. Through much determination and great faith Anne came to the US and last year she received a masters degree in non profit administration. Her dream? To help other women and children in her village in Kenya.  As part of that journey, Anne speerheaded an effort known as "Operation Well Worth It" and the project raised enough funds in 2010 to have a solar powered well drilled in Anne's village. The new well was deemed the greatest Christmas present her village had ever had.   This is a village of 3000 people who carried dirty water from small rivers and waterholes daily for bathing and drinking.  The newly drilled clean water well has changed the lives of these people.  Anne's trip from the US commencing on Feb 20 was to commission the new well and have a celebration with her people. However, on Feb 22 when Anne went to get her "return stamp" she was denied and she is being told that she will have to remain in Kenya.

Our hope with this petition is to advocate for Anne the way that she has advocated for her village of 3000. The well is just the beginning of Anne's vision. She hopes to use her education to form a non profit here in the states and fund the building of an orphanage for children of those that have died with AIDS.  Anne has an even greater vision of helping other remote villages globally that have similar needs. If you feel lead, please sign this petition and share with others so that we can join together in an effort to Bring Anne Home!  To learn more about Anne, visit her sites on YouTube and Facebook.

Many have asked why Anne has been denied her re-admittance stamp to return to the US.  I do not know all of the details.  However, we know that Anne has an OPT visa which is an Occupational Practical Training visa and it extends until June of 2011. This was granted by the US Immigration service. The report we have heard is that when Anne went to the embassy to get her re-admittance stamp they felt that since she had "only five months left" on the OPT visa, there was not a need for her to return to the USA.  We disagree with that and there is currently a team working with our state senators to attempt to get them to contact the embassy in Kenya and work out Anne's return to the USA. Anne has abided by all laws and rules and this action was completely unexpected.

We the undersigned are united in our belief that Anne Okelo should be permitted to return to the US. Her visa is in effect through June 2011 and she followed all laws and protocol.  We feel that Anne deserves to be given a second appt at the US Embassy Nairobi to be considered again for her reentry stamp.  Anne is making a global difference and if she is not permitted to return to the US, as planned, her work will be greatly curtailed.

We respectfully ask and petition that you advocate for Anne and help us bring Anne back to the US to finish out the five months she has left on her OPT visa.

We appreciate you taking the time to read this letter.