Addis Eshetu and Tadesse Aboye immigrated to the United States from Ethiopia in hopes of achieving a better life for themselves and their children, Abraham, 4 and Sarah, 2. They live in a three-bedroom house and rent one of the rooms from a relative. All four family members sleep in the same room and share a bed.
When Tadesse received permanent residency in 2015, Addis knew it was time to get their own place, but she worried they could not afford their own house. Fortunately, a friend told her about Habitat for Humanity and its home-ownership program and encouraged her to apply. After the conversation, Addis immediately inquired about the program and submitted an application with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Garland in January 2017.
The couple was formally accepted into the program in April 2017. Addis said that when she found out that they had been accepted into the program, she immediately began crying because she knew owning a home would completely change their lives for the better.
Habitat for Humanity of Great Garland and the Aboye family celebrated their new home at a dedication ceremony Saturday, Nov. 10.
Addis and Tadesse both work full time. She works as a certified nurse assistant and he works at 7/11 as a cashier. In addition to working full-time, they completed over 400 hours of sweat equity.
Through Habitat home-ownership, partner families achieve the strength, stability and the independence they need to build a better life for themselves and their families.
Addis and Tadesse want to thank Habitat for Humanity of Greater Garland as well as everyone who has played a role in making their dream of home-ownership a reality. Addis says, “Being accepted into the program has been such a blessing to our family… all I can say is 
thank you”.
About HFHGG: Founded in 1993, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Garland is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization, Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). Operating on Christian principles, Habitat of Greater Garland shares the mission of Habitat International, seeking to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope. HFHGG is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing in Garland, Rowlett, Sachse, and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and *preserving homes, by advocating for fair and just housing policies, and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable, and decent place to live in dignity and safety and this should be a matter of conscience and action for all.
Photos courtesy of Brooke Johnston.