Family story: Daniyal and Sana

Daniyal, Sana, and their kids moved from Saskatchewan to Alberta a few years ago, searching for more opportunities and a place to plant roots. Like so many parents, they dreamed of a future with stability—a permanent home in a tight-knit community where their children could grow up surrounded by familiar faces.

But for years, settling down felt impossible.

“We've been together for six years, and we've moved that many times,” Daniyal shared.

Now, thanks to Habitat for Humanity, they’re one step closer to the home and stability they’ve always hoped for.

Finding a permanent home

Daniyal and Sana’s journey to homeownership began five years ago in Saskatchewan, where they started their family. Over the years, they moved six times, eventually making the difficult decision to leave Sana’s family behind in Regina and move to Calgary in search of better opportunities.

As soon as they visited, they knew—“Calgary was going to be our home.”

For the past three years, Daniyal and Sana have built a life in Alberta. Daniyal, who holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and is completing his fourth-year apprenticeship, found work as an electrician. Their family grew, and for the first time in years, they didn’t have to move.

Daniyal and Sana are looking forward to their kids having a home base that "gives them an opportunity to build lifelong friendships."

Still, the subsidized rental they live in has never truly felt like home.

Right now, their daughter Arshia shares a room with her little brother Rayyan. Their baby brother, Noraiz, sleeps in the den—a makeshift room with no door, which makes for frequent disruptions. While the lack of space is a challenge, it’s not just about having more room.

For Daniyal and Sana, home is about more than just walls—it’s about belonging.

Building a tight-knit community

Sana first learned about Habitat for Humanity as a teenager when her aunt became a Habitat homeowner in Regina. She remembers seeing her aunt put in volunteer hours and how the whole community came together to support her. That memory stuck with her.

Since then, Sana has met more Habitat homeowners and has seen the strong communities they’ve built together. She hopes to create that same kind of support network for her own family.

“Having long-term relationships with your neighbours or your community is really important.”

Sana and Daniyal are learning new skills and making new friendships on the build site while completing their 500 volunteer hours.

For Daniyal and Sana, a Habitat home isn’t just about stability—it’s about their children growing up with the same friends, attending the same schools, and knowing their neighbours for years to come. They want their kids to experience what it means to be part of a community where people look out for each other and build lasting relationships.

And soon, that dream will become a reality.

A place to grow, a place to stay

For Daniyal and Sana, home has always been about their kids. They want them to have consistency, friendships that last, and a place where they can feel secure.

“It’s very important to just be grounded in one place with kids,” Sana shared.

They’re looking forward to turning their Habitat house into a true home. Over time, they plan to finish the basement, adding an extra bedroom and bathroom, and eventually, build a garage. But more than anything, they’re excited to settle into their new neighbourhood.

“The first thing is to get them all enrolled in schools,” Sana said. “There are also activities around—I think there’s a Genesis Centre and other school programs. And maybe just get busy with the baby routine.”

For the first time, their children won’t have to say goodbye to friends every time they move. “They can make their friends in the community now,” Sana shared. “They don’t have to worry about, ‘Oh, we are moving to another place.’”

It’s not just for the kids, either. As a stay-at-home mom, Sana knows firsthand how difficult it can be to make friends, only to have them move away.

“Especially for me as well,” she said. “I am mostly at home, and I want to just interact with the neighbours too, not just the kids.”

Soon, this family’s journey of moving from one rental to the next will come to an end.

Their Habitat home isn’t just a place to live—it’s a fresh start, a community, and a future where they finally get to stay.