Wife of Former Sudanese

Refugee Passes Away in Pasco

Adds to Plight Previously Featured by LSF, St. Pete Times

11 February 2009 - TW updated

Khadiga Ibrahim, the 36-year-old wife of former Sudanese refugee Ibrahim Yagoub, passed away unexpectedly on Fri., Feb. 6 at Community Hospital in New Port Richey after a lengthy and undiagnosed illness.  She was buried on Saturday in Hillsborough County.

The plight of the Yagoub family was featured on the website of Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) and in the St. Petersburg Times on December 30 and January 12, describing Yagoub's job loss, foreclosure of their home and the hospitalization of Khadiga at Tampa General just before Christmas with an unknown disease that caused severe swelling in her face and limbs, pain and inability to eat.

According to Raul da Silva, a manager in LSF's Refugee Resettlement and Employment Program, Khadiga remained at Tampa General for more than a month undergoing tests. 

"They could not find anything wrong with her at the end," he said.  "They thought it was psychological."

Not long after her release from Tampa General, Khadiga was taken to Community Hospital in New Port Richey last Wed., Feb. 4, and passed away two days later.  An autopsy was not performed, said da Silva, because the hospital "wanted $3,000 for an autopsy, which the family could not afford."

In addition to her husband Ibrahim, 53, Khadiga leaves behind five children, Awatif 18, Shadia 16, Faiza 11, Mustafa 10, and Tassabeh 7.

"The two older girls are enrolled in our SEE program," said da Silva, referring to LSF's Special Education and Employment Program that assists refugees with literacy and skill development.  "We hope to train them for positions as Certified Nurses Assistants, and their income should help the family achieve self-sufficiency."

Although the Yagoub family's official connection to LSF's refugee Resettlement and Employment programs had ended in 2006, many LSF staff members had continued to do what they could to help the family out.  Yagoub had only just begun a new job at the end of January with LSF's help.

"This is so devastating," said Rubis Castro, LSF Regional Director for Tampa Bay.  "Ibrahim is one of the most optimistic clients I've ever met, and even though he has met hard times, he has always said, 'I am in America, I know everything will be alright.'  My prayer now is that his hope has not vanished."

For the St. Petersburg Times article on Khadiga's illness and passing, click here.

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