Yared & Yorsalem’s Family Story

As struggling parents in a one-bedroom apartment, Yared and his wife Yorsalem were initially told that all Habitat homebuyers had been selected for 2010. However, they held on to hope—and to their faith. “We don’t give up. We hope,” attests Yared. “We are Christians. We live in hope.”

Then one summer day, which happened to be the very first day that Yared owned his cell phone, his first incoming came from Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. When he picked up the phone to answer that call, he’ll never forget what they answered back: his prayers.

“I had really been dreaming, especially for safety,” Yared recalls. “And finally… [Twin Cities Habitat] called us.” Thanks to the Jimmy & Rosalyn Carter Work Project, Yared and his family were selected to become Habitat homebuyers for a newly constucted home in St. Paul.

For Yared and Yorsalem, a home means stability and safety—top priorities for the young parents of two. The new home will provide baby Aser and little Lihem ample space and opportunities to explore. Aser’s name translates in Hebrew to “happy; blessed,” which precisely defines how this family feels about purchasing a Habitat home.

Active in their local Baptist church, where Yorsalem’s brother is a pastor, the family is grateful that congregational members will be helping contribute proxy sweat equity. With a curiosity for carpentry, Yorsalem is excited to contribute her own sweat equity, too.

After moving into the Habitat home, Yared plans to focus on education for himself and for his children. Yared has already spoken to a local college about pursuing certification in computer mission control. Although his career path has taken a more practical turn in order to provide financial stability for his family, Yared looks proudly ahead at the diverse career opportunities his little ones might one day pursue: “Maybe if I want to be a doctor, I will see it in my kids. If I want to be an engineer? I will see it in my kids.”