African Refugee Family Receives Habitat Home
Julie and her six children can’t wait to start their new life

WHO:   The Mwozi – Mapatano family (Julie and her six children who are receiving the house), Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity staff and board members, and volunteers who helped build the house

 Julie, a single mother, came to the United States with her children from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The family has been paying a substantial amount of their income toward housing and is anxious to have a more affordable home. “Owning my own home will help me save for college for my children,” said Mwozi.

Julie works full time and in addition to her work here in the United States, she has also started a foundation in the Congo to help African children attend school through the purchase of materials and uniforms.           

WHAT:   Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity is having a dedication ceremony for the Mwozi – Mapatano family at which they will receive the keys to their new house.

There will be a brief program as well as interview and photo opportunities.

WHEN:   Thursday, February 2 at 4 p.m.

WHERE:  5363 Danville Ct., Colorado Springs, CO 80922

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Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity seeks to eliminate poverty housing in the Pikes Peak region by building and rehabilitating simple, decent, affordable homes in partnership with the community and prospective homeowners. Partner families receive zero-interest mortgages. PPHFH has been an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International since 1986 and has built or rehabilitated 115 homes in El Paso County. For more information, visit www.pikespeakhabitat.org.

The Colorado Catholic Herald – 12/16/2011

COLORADO SPRINGS – For the past year, 11 area churches have worked alongside a family in need to build them a home. The dedication will take place at 2 p.m. on Dec. 18.

Participating churches in the Apostles Build interfaith program through Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity (PPHFH) include Calvary United Methodist, First Congregational, First United Methodist, Holy Apostles Catholic Church, Holy Trinity Anglican, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, St. Michael’s Episcopal, St Patrick Catholic Church, Sunrise United Methodist, Tri-Lakes Chapel and Wilson United Methodist.

Construction on the house began this summer, in the Woodmen Vistas development in Northeastern Colorado Springs. Churches provided $5,000 and five-person crews for morning and afternoon shifts for six Saturdays during the building phase.

Gordon Kunzman, leader of the First United Methodist Church building team and a 14-year veteran with Habitat for Humanity, said the project’s ecumenical nature is fulfilling. He said that helping others and learning many new things give Habitat for Humanity a place in his heart.

“It’s a great thing”, he said. “We meet people from other churches, have lunch together and talk.” 

Vern McKeal, liaison for the St. Patrick group, echoed Kunzman’s enthusiasm. Finding volunteers to fill the shifts was “not a job at all,” according to McKeal. Not only has building the house been a popular project, McKeal continued, “you don’t need to know what a hammer looks like. They teach you what you need to know.”

He added that it is “rewarding and fun to help a person who is willing to help themselves.” McKeal explained that families for whom the house is built work alongside the volunteers, putting 350 to 400 hours of “sweat equity” into their homes.

Eligible families put a substantial investment of time, money and study into home ownership. Habitat selects families based on three criteria: a need for affordable housing; the ability to save money to pay for a downpayment and pay off their zero-interest 30-year mortgage; and a willingness to partner with Habitat by contributing toward the building of their house, the construction of another home, or office work at the PPHFH headquarters.

Families are prepared for home ownership through financial counseling, help with debt-consolidation and classes on yard and home maintenance.

A total of 37 Habitat houses will be built in the Woodmen Vistas development when it is completed. To date, there are 21 finished houses and five under construction, according to Nikki Richardson, PPHFH development and communications director.

Churches and individuals can find out how to get involved at www.pikespeakhabitat.com or by contacting Nikki Richardson at 719-475-7800, ext. 204, or nikki@pikespeakhabitat.org.

— Ann Christensen

Please consider making a contribution to Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity or one of your favorite causes. Your gift will make a significant impact and we would appreciate your support!

You can give quickly and easily at http://www.givingfirst.org/pikespeakhabitat. And you can learn more about this special initiative at www.cogivesday.org.

Have a wonderful holiday season! And remember to give where you live.