She came to Northern Voices School in Roseville, Minn. from Nigeria last year to learn how to talk.

Ophelia Umunna decided that for her daughter, it was a sacrifice she had to make because no one in their village knows sign language.

"In Nigeria, when you have a disability, you end up in the street," Ophelia Umunna said.

So the Umunnas poured all of their savings into Stephanie to send her halfway around the world.

Now, Ophelia Umunna visits twice a year.

Stephanie's teacher, Jenni Hystead, said Stephanie is making excellent progress.

"She's made close to two years of worth of progress in less then a year," Hystead said.

Stephanie lives with a host family, the Diemlers, in Stillwater, Minn. Bev Diemler never thought twice about taking her in.

Diemler makes the 30 minute drive to and from school every day and said Stephanie is an answer to her prayers to serve.

Ophelia Umunna believes Diemler is a Godsend.

"From the day I had Stephanie, I think God had already planted her for us," Ophelia Umunna said.

Stephanie will live in Minnesota for another two years before returning to Nigeria.

By Heather Brown
http://wcco.com/seenon/local_story_144090753.html