Eleven years.
That’s how long Getahun, Ergo, and their 15-year old daughter and 13-year old son have been living in their Habitat home. Although they received the keys to their home on a warm August morning in 2011, their journey towards home ownership began years before.
Getahun and Ergo had moved from Brandon, Manitoba, a few years earlier and Getahun secured a job as a health-aide with Capital Health. During his time as a health-aide, he was asking his coworkers about social housing, as he and his family had lived in social housing in Brandon before their relocation to Edmonton. Instead of directing him to social housing, they told him he should look into the Habitat for Humanity program.
“What is Habitat for Humanity?” asked Getahun, not knowing that his question would lead to a better future for his family.
The couple explained Habitat’s affordable home ownership program, and so Getahun and Ergo went to the website to see if their family was eligible for the program and – to their amazement – they were! Getahun and Ergo submitted then their application to become homeowners. Soon thereafter, the phone rang. It was Habitat, and they told Getahun and Ergo that they were approved!
“We were really very happy because of the stability the home would provide for our family, and it was near my work,” said Getahun.
Once they were accepted into the program, Getahun began volunteering his 500 hours at his future home: Anderson Gardens. His hours were filled with joy and he made special lifelong friends.
“I really appreciated the donors and volunteers,” said Getahun. “One said he’d volunteer his life for Habitat because the families deserve to be homeowners.”
It was a magical morning in August 2011 when the family received their keys, which were presented by Ken and Margaret Anderson, the generous couple who donated the land at Anderson Gardens to Habitat. At the time, Getahun’s and Ergo’s children were 5 and 7, and they were running around the house teeming with excitement – especially when they saw their new rooms.
Getahun said: “Our children were and are very happy with our home and where we live. It is a quiet place and our neighbourhood is really great too. I am so thankful for Habitat because the opportunity has changed our lives. It gave me the opportunity to get my LPN (licenced practitioner nurse) and better our lives. My children have had a great place to live. I thank all the volunteers and donors who give to help families who are struggling to make their lives better and to help our children become more successful.”
Getahun mentioned that he didn’t have the words to say to express how much Habitat has done for his family. He wanted people to know that he is grateful for all that supporters have done to improve his family’s life.
Please donate today in support of Habitat Homeownership.
