Safe home leads to new beginnings

Yellow tape, boarded up windows and gun shots were just a few of the sights and sounds that ran rampant in Engdasew and Abeba’s former neighborhood. Stepping inside the couple’s one-bedroom apartment, you were greeted with the smell of moldy carpet, along with two five-gallon buckets put in place to gather water from the leaking ceiling. Tenants smoked in the hallways and left garbage out inviting rodents to come in.

“We had a rough go of it in that one-bedroom apartment,” says Abeba. “When we would try and leave there was always a crowd surrounding the front entrance just glaring at us for no reason, making it difficult for us to get by.”

Both Ethiopian immigrants, Engdasew and Abeba came to the United States by way of the Diversity Visa Lottery with help of a family member in Minnesota. Raised on principles of kindness, sharing and respect for all people, the couple struggled to come to grips with the animosity shown towards them. This came to a head one evening when Abeba spent hours begging and pleading with loud neighbors to turn their music down.

“No matter what we tried our neighbors continued to have loud parties at all hours of the night,” said Abeba. “We started feeling intimidated to be in our own place.”

Although weary of her living situation, it took until the birth of her first child for Abeba to seek a change. However, with Engdasew being the only employed family member, healthier housing options were limited. At the suggestion of a friend, Abeba turned to Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and within months she and Engdasew were attending homebuyer education classes.

“Being selected for a home was just the pick-me-up our family needed to get through some pretty tough times,” said Abeba. “As soon as we knew where the home was being built we all jumped in the car to check out where we would be living.”

Abeba and Engdasew worked diligently to complete their sweat equity hours by aiding in the construction process. “Working with volunteers was really fun,” said Abeba. “We especially enjoyed their interest, motivation, dedication and willingness to teach.”

With an affordable mortgage Abeba and Engdasew are now able to save money for a vehicle that can handle Minnesota winters. They are also now able to think about more long-term goals like going to college and securing better jobs to improve the family’s economic condition.

Now, instead of being frightened of their neighbors, Engdasew and Abeba host gatherings for the other Habitat families that live in their complex. If you were to stop by their Ripley Gardens home you would see dozens of neighborhood children playing at the park nearby. Having people around them they can trust has allowed the family to embrace their new neighborhood.

“Being able to live in a safe place has allowed us to focus our efforts on improving the lives of our children,” said Abeba. “This home has brought hope back into our family’s hearts.”

Contributed by Patrick Dunn

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