Meet Habitat Families
Partnering with Habitat, individuals and families achieve the strength, stability, and independence they need to build a better life for themselves.
‘I raise my children with hope.’
Almaz Wolde, a mother of three who recently moved to new house constructed by Habitat for Humanity in Addis Ababa, Lideta Sub City said, ‘’Now I am inspired to raise my children with hope.” She washes clothes for other families to get income which is not sufficient for the family. Almaz and her children used to live in almost ‘dismantled’ shack covered with plastic sheet, not adequately protected them from rainwater and the dust floor was wet during rainy season. The falling door was not closed properly. Her children Tigist Gadisa, Kidist Gadisa and Habtamu Fasil were always worried about their safety in the narrow shack uncomfortable for living. 
A 14 years old daughter Kidist said, ‘’Books and notebooks got wet during rainy time in the previous house and I couldn’t study my lessons. In the new house I have clean space to do my homework and study for exam. I feel happy and heathy. Now I can be successful in my education.’’ Almaz mentioned that the new house has clean rooms with sufficient space for sitting and bedrooms. A new door is well fixed; there is no safety risk. ‘’Home means everything, family building, dignity, privacy, and hope,’’ she explained.
Almaz is one of women headed families who become homeowners in 2021 through Slum Upgrading Project. Though Habitat for Humanity assisted hundreds of families to move out of substandard houses, and get access to water and sanitation, many are still on the waiting list because of limited resources.
New home to study and grow
Hawi Ejersa assists her older brother Hunde who has hearing problem. Both children lived with their grand mother,Yeshi Kedir. Both Hawi and Hunde are seventh grade students. Hawi spends much of her time assisting her brother in his education. As their parents died, they are raised by grandmother.
YeshI and the two children moved to new home through partnership with Habitat Ethiopia. Hawi said, “ The old home had no toilet and kitchen. The house and the surrounding area was not clean, full of dust and dirt. We had no freedom to study and play in rented home, the owners restrict us to stay at home.” 
It is only about four months since they moved to the new home. “My brother and I are very happy now. We live and study in clean home, use clean toilet and have clean space to study and play,” she explained. Hawi hopes to be a doctor and help her grandmother and her brother in the future.