For Tesfayesus and Wintana, life in Canada has been full of hard work, new beginnings, and simple joys. After nine years here, they’ve built a strong foundation – a close circle of friends, a love for their community, and two bright, energetic boys who fill their days with laughter.
A home filled with joy
Their family time often involves traditional coffee shared with relatives or friends, trips to the playground or an afternoon swim. Wintana makes it a goal to take the kids outside every day. Noah, their eldest, especially loves being outdoors – he’s happiest in the fresh air, exploring or just feeling the grass beneath his feet. Hosea is more of a mover, always ready for a game of football or anything that gets him running.
Tesfayesus and Wintana dream of a home that fits their joyful rhythm of their life, one with enough space for the kids to play freely and with bedrooms they can call their own. A backyard where Noah can spend hours outside. A kitchen where the smell of fresh coffee fills the air as friends drop by.
Finding Habitat
“When you pay rent, it goes away,” said Tesfayesus. “When you pay for your own house, it stays with your family.”
That’s what inspired him to apply for Habitat for Humanity’s affordable homeownership program, a chance to build something lasting. He first heard about Habitat years ago when he helped a friend move into a Habitat home in Calgary. That memory stayed with him, and when it became harder to find affordable housing for his own family, he decided to learn more.
He went online, read the requirements, and realized it could be possible. “No one pushed me,” he said. “I decided to apply myself. The rules are good, and the people are very nice to work with.”
Stability and peace
The family is preparing for a future filled with the stability and peace that comes with homeownership. They imagine hosting friends for coffee in their own kitchen and watching the kids run in their own backyard. They’ve even talked about adopting a pet one day.
Tesfayesus often encourages others in his community to look into Habitat. For him, owning a home isn’t just about the walls or the rooms, it’s about giving his kids the space and security to grow, and finally seeing all their efforts lead to something that will last.
“Many people don’t know how Habitat works, but when they see the homes, they are surprised. It’s real. It helps families.”
