Two Habitat Families Will Have Homes Before Christmas

It was a beautiful morning to celebrate the start of construction on two new Habitat homes for two special families. The homes are located in the Villages of Park Creek, in Woodstock, and are the 39th and 40th that Habitat will build in this neighborhood. Construction is due to be completed in December so the families will be able to celebrate Christmas in their new homes.

Habitat partnered with Si Zo Va and Lian Thuami on the first home. Si and Lian are originally from Myanmar and have two young children, ages 7 and 10. The family left their home country in 2010 to escape the oppression and exploitation they were experiencing and travelled to Malaysia where they remained for two years as refugees. With the help of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the family was able to come to the United States. Si has worked at Tyson Foods for the last four years.

The second home is being built for Alhassan Dauda and his wife, Sakina Salifu. The couple has four young children ranging in age from 1 to 9 years old. The family immigrated from Ghana in 2013 with the assistance of the Diversity Visa Program which allows for entry to the United States from countries from around the world with historically low immigration rates. Both Alhassan and Sakina are employed by Publix Supermarkets and they work opposite shifts so one parent is always with the children.

“We are very grateful to God and Habitat for Humanity for this opportunity to own a decent and affordable home,” said Alhassan Dauda. “God has performed miracles in our lives and we are very thankful for this.”

Habitat is able to build these two homes due to the generosity of four corporate sponsors; Enercon, Schneider Electric, Travelers and the UPS Foundation. All four companies have supported Habitat for many years and have provided both the funding and volunteer labor to build the homes. Schneider Electric is also recognized as a Habitat for Humanity National Sponsor providing both cash and electrical equipment to Habitat affiliates all over the United States since 2000. The UPS Foundation has supported Habitat North Central Georgia for almost ten years making a significant contribution towards the organizations efforts to provide affordable housing.

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 279 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.