"Now, I do not worry about the health and safety of my children."
Ms. Yiftu Gizaw used to live in an old shack in Akaki Sub City, Addis Ababa. Part of the shack was covered with plastic sheets and old clothes. She had a meagre income from the sale of grass. The shack offered no protection from rain or the intense heat of the sun, exposing them to serious health and safety risks.
"As the corrugated iron sheet was broken, rainwater would flow into my house, and I had to pour it out. I covered my children with plastic sheets to protect them from the rain. I was worried whenever the rainy season came. The door did not close properly. We lived in that shack because we had no other options."
According to a World Bank report, over half of women in Ethiopia do not own houses. They bear the burden of living in substandard housing. In impoverished areas, most women stay at home, raise children, prepare food, and manage sanitation for their families, all of which are difficult tasks in dilapidated houses.
Leo Lion Foundation were delighted to support Habitat for Humanity to construct new homes for Yiftu and other families in Akaki Sub City. Yiftu moved into her new house in August 2024. The new house is clean and comfortable for her and her children.
"Now, we sleep without fear; there is no rain, no cold, and no dust on the floor. My children are happy, and their friends respect them at school."
Yiftu's house is located in a new area, where she shares a block of homes with other families. These houses are clean and provide enough space for the families, especially for the children. This marks the end of Yiftu’s life of isolation in the old shack. She now has neighbours and interacts with them.
"I am blessed not only with a new house but also with people with whom I can talk and share many things."
For families who partner with Habitat for Humanity, a home is not just a physical structure but a place of safety, dignity, and hope. Together with our partners, we help families who have no other options to build their homes. These families can now live stable and dignified lives.
"I no longer worry when the rainy season comes. It feels like a dream. I can lock the door at night, and my children are safe and healthy. Without support from Habitat, I would have stayed in the shack, facing many challenges."
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