The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Parishioners build Habitat house
St. Paul United Church of Christ planning fund-raiser
By Sue G. Collins, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: February 14, 2008
Taju Ali and his cousin, Zabiba Mussa, will be moving into their new home on Emerson Street in Ypsilanti in April. They were forced to flee their home in Ethiopia nine years ago and came to America together after being reunited at a refugee camp in Kenya.
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Both have earned degrees and are working hard in their new country, most recently on building the home they never dreamed would be theirs.
They have been intimately involved with the construction since ground breaking last October, having invested 600 hours of "sweat equity" with Habitat for Humanity toward their home's completion.
Habitat of Humanity of Huron Valley organized 10 churches that have sponsored this "House of Abraham," raising funds and providing volunteers to pound nails, measure dry wall, paint and so much more. This is the first interfaith partnership build projects for the Huron Valley affiliate, something they are very proud of.
Kay Girbach and her family from Saline have worked on the house along with other members of St. Paul United Church of Christ.
"It has been a really great experience for us," Girbach said. "Local mission work is a thrust of our church and the Habitat sponsorship and volunteer work has been important for us."
Girbach said working with volunteers of other faiths has been enlightening and encouraging.
"It's really building understanding," she said.
To help fund their contribution to the House of Abraham, St. Paul is planning a concert for 6 p.m. Feb 24 featuring the Doowops, a lively band that plays music from the 1950s and early '60s.
The four-man group is well known in the Lansing area, where St. Paul's pastor heard them perform and promise an evening of familiar hits and toe-tapping melodies.
The show will be held at the church, 122 W. Michigan Ave. in Saline. Tickets are $5 for children 12 and younger, and $10 for adults in advance or at the door.
Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley builds homes in partnership with families who demonstrate need and a willingness to work with Habitat by helping to build a home of their own.
With safe, decent and affordable housing, families are better able to concentrate on parenting, employment, education and community involvement.
Staff Writer Sue G. Collins can be reached at 429-7380.
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