Man Weeps With Joy As Habitat For Humanity Starts Construction on His Home

Woodstock, GA ( November 15, 2014) – It takes an awful lot to bring a man to tears, but that’s exactly what Habitat for Humanity – North Central Georgia did on Saturday, November 15th, when they began new construction on a trio of homes in Woodstock, Georgia. Peter Uk could not stifle his emotion, as he expressed his heartfelt gratitude with streams of joy trickling down his face, “We had a lot of difficulty in my country and in Malaysia,” Peter stated. “When we came to America to start a new life, we didn’t have anything. But by the grace of God we were able to get to the United States, and now we can have an affordable home.”

Peter and his wife Yung Niang came to the United States in 2010. Before arriving in the U.S. they lived in Malaysia for three years, after fleeing their home country of Burma, where their Christian faith brought them persecution. Today, the Uk family lives in Cumming, and Peter works for Tyson Foods in Quality Assurance. His wife Yung Niang manages the household and their three children: Betsy (4), Zahaala (2), and Samuel (1).

Sponsors for the Uk’s new home include: Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church, Northbrook United Methodist Church, Roswell Presbyterian Church, Roswell United Methodist Church, Saint Aidan’s Episcopal Church, Saint James United Methodist, and Zion Missionary Baptist Church.

Construction also began on homes for the Navarro and Afidegnon families. Abigail Navarro was nine years old when she and her family immigrated to the United States from El Salvador, Central America in 1990. Abigail and her three daughters currently live in Alpharetta, in an overcrowded townhouse with family members, and works for the Interactive College of Technology in Chamblee, where she has been employed for nearly two years.

“I would like to thank every single person here, and naturally, God; and Habitat for giving me the opportunity to have a decent home for my kids. You have no idea how happy I was when they gave me the call that I was approved for a home. I thank everybody for the work you’re going to put into my house.” Abigail’s home is being sponsored by: Saint Brigid Catholic Church, Alpharetta First United Methodist, Birmingham United Methodist Church, Northminister Presbyterian Church, Saint David’s Episcopal Church, Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, and donations in memory of Ann Fuss.

Abla Afidegnon is the recipient of the third home in the trio. Abla and her husband Sanvee immigrated to the United States from Togo, West Africa, in 2002 after being chosen through the U. S. State Department’s Diversity Visa Program. In 2006, Sanvee passed away from cancer, and Abla has been raising their children Ahlonkoba (14) and Frederica (9), on her own.

Abla currently lives in Woodstock, and has been working for Goodwill Industries in Sandy Springs for the past eight years. “I thank God for being here!” Alba exclaimed, “I thank God for the life of everybody! Sponsors for the Afidegnon’s home include: ADP, MedAssets, Publix Super Markets Charities, the Rotary Clubs of Johns Creek, Milton-Windward, and Canton, Turf Masters Lawn Care, and Youth United Program, which includes the following high schools: Blessed Trinity, Cambridge, Creekview, Milton, Mount Pisgah Christian, Roswell, and Sequoyah. All three homes are scheduled for completion in March of 2015.

Pictured from left to right: Habitat family members Peter Uk and Abigail Navarro, with her two daughters Emily and Genesis, are at the ceremony standing with Mary Lamond, Habitat Family Service Director.

Habitat for Humanity – North Central Georgia is a non-profit, Christian housing ministry that builds simple, decent homes for purchase by low income families who demonstrate a capacity for responsible homeownership. Since its inception in 1995, 259 homes have been completed and over 1000 family members have been served in North Fulton, Cherokee and Forsyth Counties. Each family is required to attend six educational classes and perform 200-300 sweat equity hours. Families earn between 30% and 60% of the Atlanta area median income and purchase their homes from Habitat, which provides them with a 30-year, no-interest loan. Family members work side by side with the volunteers, sponsors, and Habitat staff to build their homes. These families not only get to experience the pride of homeownership, but they also know that their lives will be changed forever. For more information on Habitat for Humanity – North Georgia, please visit www.habitat-ncg.org.

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