The newest Habitat homeowner has lived through many turbulent tragedies over the past 20 years. Her father and two brothers were killed in a war in her homeland of Congo, Africa; her oldest sister succumbed to malaria; her family was displaced after the closing of refugee camps and her marriage ended in divorce after moving to Chattanooga with the help of Bridge Refugee Services in 2007.
Death, disease, and divorce couldn’t hold her back, instead it motivated her to provide a pathway for her sister’s daughter who lived in an African orphanage for 18 years, said officials. With the assistance of American Red Cross, she was reunited with her niece and began the journey of becoming homeowner through Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.
Having no children of her own, Habitat’s newest owner conveys that the greatest gifts that she has in her life now are the joy of being a mother and positive role model to her niece and the opportunity to achieve the American Dream through Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area.
The home was funded by the Department of Economic & Community Development, city of Chattanooga, Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee, and the Tennessee Housing Development Agency.
Habitat’s 263rd homeowner, her niece, and friends, along with Habitat for Humanity staff and volunteers, and officials from the city of Chattanooga, will dedicate the home and give a mock key to Habitat’s newest homeowner on Saturday at noon.