For Adam and Zoya, home has always been about giving their children a better future. But with rising rent, unexpected moving costs, and not enough space for their growing family, the dream of owning a home felt impossible.
“It was really difficult for us to even think about having our own home because of the cost of living and house prices,” Adam said. “I couldn’t even imagine paying for a mortgage with interest. We thought it could never happen.”
Life in a space that’s too small
When their son was born, the family’s two-bedroom rental became even harder to manage. Their daughter, five-year-old Inaya, started school this year and needs her own space for studying and sleep.
In their small apartment, everything overlaps — work, study, and rest all happen in the same shared space. Mornings start early as Zoya makes breakfast, Adam gets ready for work, and Inaya prepares for school, all while trying not to wake up the sleeping baby.
Even at night, it’s hard to unwind when one person is studying and another is trying to sleep. Without separate rooms or quiet corners, there’s little space to breathe or focus.
The heavy cost of moving
The family has also faced the financial strain of moving between rentals — not by choice, but because of circumstances outside of their control. Each move has come with unexpected, costly expenses that make it hard to get ahead.
During their last move, lack of communication from their new landlord and an elevator breakdown forced movers to carry everything up three flights of stairs, doubling the cost.
A journey defined by sacrifice and determination
Their path to this point has been defined by perseverance. Adam, who earned his law degree in Pakistan, has spent years rebuilding his career from the ground up in Canada — upgrading his education, challenging exams, and completing his articling while raising two young children. Zoya, who studied medicine, dreams of returning to the field someday, but for now has put her career on hold to focus on caring for their family.
Together, they’ve weathered long nights, tight budgets, and the uncertainty that comes with starting over in a new country.
“She has sacrificed a lot,” Adam said. “She’s the one taking care of everyone. It’s not two kids — it’s three kids. She supported me through all my studies. We’re helping each other.”
For Adam and Zoya, a Habitat home isn’t a reward for what they’ve achieved — it’s the stability that will help them keep going.
From doubt to determination
When a friend first mentioned Habitat for Humanity, they thought it sounded too good to be true. “We thought maybe it’s a scam,” Zoya laughed. “Owning a home without interest? It didn’t seem possible.” But they decided to apply anyway, sending in their documents right away.
“The response was so fast,” Adam said. “That gave us hope. When we found out we were approved, we were so happy. We couldn’t believe it was real.”
Now, they’re working hard to complete their 500 volunteer hours. For Adam, the construction site has become his favourite place to give back. He’s learning new skills, meeting future neighbours, and connecting with people working toward the same goal of homeownership.
“It’s exhausting,” he admitted with a smile. “By the time I get home, I can barely move. But hard work pays off. We believe that by helping others and giving back, we not only improve our own lives but also create a better future for our children and the community as a whole.”
A bright future ahead
Inaya already has big plans for their new home: a pink bedroom, a “secret room” in the basement for crafts, and a cupboard in the kitchen just for her baking supplies.
“She’s very excited,” said Zoya. “She loves baking and painting. She’s already planning everything.”
For Adam and Zoya, their new Habitat home represents more than just space. A home of their own means stability, community, and a future built with love.
“Home isn’t just a building,” Adam said. “It’s the people who live there. When we have our own home, we’ll finally have peace of mind and a better future for our kids.”
