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The eBuilder
Issue 11, 2009
Home for the Holidays
Habitat for Humanity in Winnipeg has already completed 8 of the 15 homes we are building this year and have many of the homeowner families already moved in. We will have another 4 dedications (when we present the keys to the family) happening in December so that as many families as possible will be home for the holidays!
Layke & Alemnsh and their extensive family
Each dedication is unique and special for everyone in attendance. Habitat staff and valued stakeholders, including sponsors, volunteers, and community partners, all come together and present the keys to the proud new Habitat homeowner family. On November 12 we all witnessed one of these joyous and emotional occasions with Layke and Alemnsh and their family.
It has been a long journey for Layke and Alemnsh, and now with their new home, they have hope for a bright future! Leaving corruption behind and in search of new opportunities, with the aid of the United Nations, they left their home in Ethiopia and moved to Israel in 1995. In 2004, they moved to Canada. Since living here Layke achieved his certificate in Power Mechanics and is employed full-time with a major plastic manufacturer. When Layke lived in Ethiopia he had a diploma in radio electronics and hopes to some day get back into that field. Alemnsh is currently studying English and works part-time as an office cleaner. Once Alemnsh has completed her English training she is considering further training in pharmacology.
Layke & Almensh joyously receive the key to their new home from Carolin Taubensee of Manitoba Lotteries Corporation.
Layke and Alemnsh have 3 children of their own, Benyam (15), Gelila (4) and Hilina (3); and also care for Layke’s sister’s two children, Fitsom (17) and Kidist (21). Like many of our homeowner families, they have tried to improve their living conditions by moving – their new Habitat home is their 6th move since they have lived in Winnipeg. Their last apartment was cold, dirty, and moldy and wasn’t large enough to accommodate their extended family. A Habitat home offers them stability, and plenty of room for the children to grow and make new memories (4 bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms)! Layke says “It is a nice house. It brings us happiness.” The children think their new home is beautiful and like that it is bright and clean. They are also looking forward to playing in their yard next summer.
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