Meet Kenya: A Story of Hope and Resilience
We are thrilled to introduce you to Kenya, our newest partner family member at Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties! Kenya is a remarkable woman who, despite numerous challenges, has shown unwavering strength and determination. With her two children by her side, Kenya’s story is one of overcoming adversity and never losing hope.
A Journey Through Hardships
For the past few years, Kenya and her family have been living in a house with unsafe and unhealthy living conditions like warped floors, sagging ceilings, and mold issues, to name a few. On top of these issues, rodents like possums, skunks, and rats often find their way into the family’s home. Despite the landlord’s promises of repairs, progress has yet to be made. Kenya was unable to leave due to complicated circumstances beyond her control, but she made a commitment to her children that things would change. Until now, however, the path to a brighter future was unclear.
Adding to her struggles, Kenya lost both of her jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to significant debt. She fell behind and felt like she would never catch up. But Kenya never gave up hope!
Finding Habitat for Humanity
Kenya learned about Habitat for Humanity through various community resources and decided to apply for homeownership. Initially, she was concerned that her credit challenges, stemming from her job losses during the pandemic, would prevent her from being approved. However, Kenya’s determination shone through when she asked us to take another look at her application. Kenya had been working diligently to clear up her credit issues, and her hard work paid off. She met the requirements and was approved for a Habitat home!
Kenya’s Perspective
Kenya recalls her journey to Habitat with relief and gratitude. “Applying was a lot of prayerful hope that things would work out,” she says. When she received the call regarding her approval, she was overjoyed. “I was overjoyed and kind of speechless because I had made a promise to my kids that I was going to get them out of that situation.”
Her children share her excitement. When asked what she looked forward to most about her Habitat home, her daughter answered honestly, ” I don’t have to live with skunks and rats.” Her son is looking forward to having his own room and the privacy that comes with it.
A New Beginning
For Kenya, becoming a Habitat homeowner is about more than just a safe place to live. It’s about providing stability and a better future for her children. “Everything will change,” Kenya says. “We will have a lot more restful nights.”
Kenya looks forward to returning to her love of gardening and cooking together as a family, activities she fondly remembers doing with her children in the past. In their current home, a persistent leak in the kitchen and unsafe conditions outside have made these activities difficult. Their new Habitat home will provide a safe and healthy environment where they can rekindle these cherished family traditions, planting seeds in the garden and preparing meals together in a functional kitchen.
Welcoming Friends and Family
Kenya also looks forward to a safe home where friends and family can visit. “When my parents visit, we usually have to find a hotel or Airbnb for them,” Kenya explains. “I wouldn’t want my mom to fall through the porch or fall off the stairs or anything like that, so I don’t invite anyone over.” With their forever Habitat home, Kenya and her kids will be able to host family gatherings and have friends over without worrying about someone getting hurt.
Giving Back
Kenya is eager to start her sweat equity hours and participate in homeownership classes. She’s looking forward to learning new skills, from preventative maintenance to using power tools. But more importantly, Kenya is excited about helping others through their journey with Habitat. “I am excited about learning, helping, and just all of that,” she says. “The most fun part will be helping someone else get through the process.”
A Message of Hope
Kenya’s message to others considering applying for a Habitat home is simple: “Just try and don’t give up.” Her story is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of hope. Despite numerous obstacles, Kenya never stopped believing in a better future for her family!
We proudly welcome Kenya and her kids into our Habitat family. Their journey inspires us all, reminding us of the incredible impact that a safe, stable home can have on a family’s life.
Welcome, Kenya!
Becoming Part of Her Story
You can be part of Kenya’s story of hope and resilience and help write the success stories of other families seeking to build a brighter futures! Donate today to help Kenya and other families achieve the dream of homeownership.
Donate Online:
Click here to donate online
Donate By Mail:
Send a check or money order made payable to Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties to:
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties
P.O. Box 186
Richmond, KY 40476-0186