The Families of our Habitat Homes

Today we had the opportunity to take off from the work site early to visit a few of the families selected to live in the homes we are constructing.  We learned that approximately 2% of Habitat Cluj applicants are selected for a home within the program.  For our build site we are working on a 4 home complex.  Each home, built for families of 4-5, will be 2-story homes with the kitchen, bathroom, and living room on the first level and three bedrooms on the second level. 

Here is just a little bit about two families who have been selected for this project.    

Since December 2006, the M family has been living in the laundry room of a block of flats.  Even though the place is small, just 17 square meters, the M's have tried to organize it as best as they can for their 2 children.  They have two bedrooms, a 1.5 square meter kitchen and a 2 square meter bathroom.  Their current home has thin walls that have been damaged by water and mold.  Because of this their youngest son developed asthma at the age of two.  This home means a realized dream of acquiring a decent, affordable home to start a new life with their family.

The B family have been in need of a home since 2000.  Until now the B's have lived with relatives in a summer kitchen converted into a room.  They currently sleep eight people in just four beds.  "In all the years we have lived in difficult conditions caused by lack of space and privacy," the B's confess.  Winters have been especially difficult as the toilet facilities are 10 meters away from the house.  Having their own home is all the family has ever wanted.  The B children are already making daily plans about their new home and cannot believe that they will have their own rooms.

It was very moving to meet the families and see their current homes.  Each family was very generous serving us treats and sharing their space.  It is amazing to see first hand their housing challenges.  Although we had read about their Habitat application, seeing and meeting them first hand reiterated the overwhelming need for Habitat.  It made us all reflect on the privillages we have and have had throughout our lives.