Stories

Hawa

I couldn’t sleep the first couple of nights because I kept dreaming of building our new home.

Hawa is overjoyed about becoming a first-time homeowner with Habitat for Humanity this year.  She knows that this new home will create a stable environment for her children to grow and thrive.

Hawa has always been a hard worker and has dedicated countless hours to creating a safe and stable life for her kids in the U.S.  She relocated to Denver in 2005 from Mali and initially worked at a hair salon while earning her GED at the Emily Griffith High School. She later went on and earned her CNA certification at the University of Colorado Hospital. Today, Hawa is a nurse at Porter Adventist Hospital in Denver.

Hawa and her children (ages 7, 10, and 13) have struggled to find housing that’s both safe and affordable for their family of four in Denver.

“It was sad looking at housing prices and realizing it could never happen unless I worked so much overtime. But then what time would I have for the kids?”

Over the years, they have been forced to move due to rent increasing, unsafe neighborhoods, roach and pest infestations, and poor water conditions.

“The final straw, was when I found that my daughter had bed bugs all over her skin.” Hawa shares. “I KNEW we had to move.”

By partnering with Habitat Metro Denver, Hawa has the opportunity to build and purchase a new three-bedroom townhome in south Denver.

“It has always been my dream to someday own my own home where my children will have enough space and stability to support their future, and now my dream has come true.”

Hawa is extremely appreciative to all of the volunteers, donor, sponsors, and the entire Habitat family.

“I cannot thank you enough, without this program I would never have been able to become a homeowner.”