”Now I have no words to mention the comfort and future hope we have in the new house,” Lemlem Berhanu, Habitat homeowner said.
Almaz broke up in tears when Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia staff spoke to her during family selection visit in November 2018. Lemlem used to live in collapsing old house in the city of Bahir Dar with two children and two sisters. The family had suffered for many years in the house with broken roofs and dirt floor. Considering the housing situation, low income and Lemlem’s health status, Habitat Ethiopia selected the family to be homeowner.
Through Regional Housing Project, Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia constructed a block of 14 houses for same number of low income and vulnerable families in partnership with the city’s administration. After moving to the new house Lemlem told Habitat Ethiopia staff that the new house is a place she calls ‘my home’ and the family started new life. ”We are relieved of leaking roof during rainy season and dust floor in dry months. Now we don’t pay rent. My children study in clean rooms; they are so happy,” Lemelem mentioned.
Lemlem’s daughter, Eden, is a grade 11 student. She is one of the highest performing student and she scored 6 A’s and 1 B in grade 10 national examination. She wants to be a lawyer to protect the rights of women and children. She said, ”We had no freedom in the old rented home. There was no place to study. We were suffering from cold and unpleasant smell.”
Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia’s work is not just constructing houses and toilets. Our project managers and community organizers worked with local administration, trained the 14 families to restore their community life. The families moved to new homes from dilapidated houses; some of them were in isolated and inaccessible areas. Now, they come together as new community. ”Our hearts are always with Habitat which assisted us to own new home and come together to help each other,” Lemlem said. More stories