Help Start Construction on Simple, Decent Housing

In 2006, Abdulnaser Hussein had to quit his job with General Electric and leave his home in Iraq to escape the hands of Al-Qaeda, who threatened his family when they learned he was working for a US company.

“Not a night passed where I didn’t fear for my wife and children’s lives,” said Abdulnaser. “This was no way to live, so I moved my family to Syria to try to find security.

In Syria the family faced more hardship. They moved from apartment to apartment trying to find a place they could afford. Foreigners in Syria are not able to have employment, as the economy doesn’t have enough jobs for even its citizens.

“We lived off our savings for four years, but our money was slowly running out. I realized we could no longer keep living the way we were. I feared for my children’s future.”

Abdulnaser, his wife, Suhair, and their five children were finally able to immigrate to America in 2010, ready for a new, promising beginning.

“Life was still hard,” said Abdulnaser. “But life was better because now there was work and hope.”

Abdulnaser found a job as an assembler at a manufacturing plant, but even working over 40 hours a week he was not able to afford a suitable place for his family. They currently live in a 2-bedroom, 1-bath apartment, with mold and bad plumbing. The limited space makes it hard for his five children to focus on their studying.

Their oldest son is 17 years old and wants to become a computer engineer. Their oldest daughter is 15 and hopes to pursue medicine. With such ambitious children, Abdulnaser and Suhair knew they needed to find a home that would provide more space for everyone to pursue their dreams.

They found out about Habitat through a friend, applied and were ecstatic when they learned they were selected into the homeownership program. Their home has just started construction at Trillium Court, Habitat’s newest site in the Hillsdale neighborhood.  They have been hard at work putting in their 500 hours of sweat equity building their home.

“All I ever wanted was a safe place for my family to call home,” said Abdulnaser. “Now Habitat has given us a chance. I feel grateful and thankful that my only wish in life, which is my children’s happiness, will now be achieved.”

Thanks to all Habitat supporters for giving local, hardworking families like the Hussein/Dawoods a hand-up!