Habitat Dedicates Home for Refugee Family in Canton

Sial Khup was jailed for preaching the gospel in his native Burma. His home was then raided and watched by the police, and his wife, Esther, was forced to flee the country with their children. After living in a refugee camp in Malaysia, Esther was able to immigrate to the United States. Five years later, Sial reunited with his family here in Georgia.

Last Saturday, Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia held a Dedication Ceremony for the Khup family’s new Habitat home on Arliss Drive, in Canton, thus completing a long journey for the family – from jail, to refugee camp, to a rat-infested apartment, to a beautiful new house.

Sial and Esther worked along-side the volunteers for five months to help build their home. The couple has three young children; Jason (11), Willie (10) and Vanesa (6). Esther is employed at a local auto parts manufacturing company.

It was a beautiful morning to celebrate the completion of the home, and volunteers, family members and Habitat staff and board members were present to celebrate with the Khup family.

Sial and Esther were overwhelmed at the support they received during the construction of their home. In accepting the keys to his new residence, Sial said: “We prayed to get a permanent home. . . . God answered our praying through the body of God. . . . When I saw all the different people that I don’t know building our new home, I thought why are they doing this. What can I do for them? The one thought that was clear to me was that you were showing God’s love by helping us. I heard this like God had told me this.”

Habitat was able to build the home through an ecumenical collaboration of congregations and businesses which included Canton First United Methodist Church, Hickory Flat United Methodist Church, Hillside United Methodist Church, Mount Zion United Methodist Church, North Georgia United Methodist Housing and Homeless Council, Saint Clement’s Episcopal Church, Temple Beth Tikvah and Windsong Properties.

“This ecumenical build offered an opportunity for people of all walks of like to come together for one common purpose, building a safe and affordable home for a family in need,” stated Sabrina Kirkland, Manager of Faith Relations and Community Investment for Habitat-North Central Georgia. “It was truly a blessing for this family to have local churches, a synagogue and a business come together to provide their forever home.”

Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia is a non-profit, Christian housing ministry that builds affordable homes for purchase by low-income families who demonstrate the capacity for responsible homeownership. Since its inception in 1995, Habitat-NCG has completed 261 homes serving an estimated 1,000 family members in the North Fulton area and Cherokee, Dawson and Forsyth Counties. Habitat-NCG does not give away its homes. Partner families, who earn 30% to 60% of the Atlanta area median income, purchase their homes at or near appraised value utilizing 30-year no-interest financing provided by Habitat. In addition, each partner family is required to attend educational classes and perform 200-300 hours of construction “sweat equity.” Family members work side by side with the volunteers, sponsors, and Habitat staff to build their homes. Habitat-NCG’s slogan is “A Hand Up, Not a Handout.” For more information concerning Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia, please visit www.habitat-ncg.org.