The Abdalla Family
Hasna and Mansour Abdalla currently live in a small apartment with their six-year-old daughter Ahlam. Like many families in Edmonton, their rent has become too expensive, forcing them to seek more affordable accommodation. When they heard about Habitat, the Abdallas knew this was an important opportunity for the security and well-being of their family. As soon as Habitat confirmed they would soon become new homeowners, Mansour began volunteering to complete his sweat equity hours.
Mansour says, “I like volunteering because it is for my home” He is amazed that the volunteers from such a variety of backgrounds work beside him for seemingly nothing at all. Mansour has been on the build site every Saturday since April building his home and the homes of other families. He says that when he arrives home Saturday evening, covered in paint, his daughter Ahlam always greets him by asking “are you finished building our home yet?” She is anxious to move in and doesn’t understand why it is taking so long!
When Family Services Coordinator Emilia Martini phoned to notify them that they would be Habitat homeowners, Hasna recalls that she was jumping and yelling alone in her apartment. She says she can’t remember anything about the dream-like phone call, but that she called Mansour immediately afterwards. He answered the phone with “Did Habitat call?”
As the time comes closer for the family to move in, they begin to solidify their plans for their new home. Hasna explains that she is most excited about the possibilities for her daughter Ahlam’s room. Finally she will be able to have the space to spread out and play and also get a bigger bed! Ahlam is shy, but she has been telling all her friends about her new bedroom and the new bed that she will soon have. The entire family is excited as the house takes shape and turns into the home that it will soon be.
Welcome to the Habitat family!