Halima’s simple request

Halima Ali, her husband, Shikuri Musa, and their children, Ebrhaim Shikuri and Rahmet Shikuri, used to live in a one-room house with no foundation, no windows, a dirt floor and a leaking roof. The place was far too small for the family and had no toilet. They could not afford anything better on Shikuri’s limited income as a horse cart driver.

When asked why they wanted to apply for a Habitat for Humanity house, Halima said, “Most of all, we wanted a toilet. My family is usually sick due to the poor sanitation situation. We were fed up with using the field. The new house is much cleaner and bigger than where we were living before, and it has its own toilet! It also has two rooms and its own compound. My previous house was so unhealthy and difficult to live in. The current one is far better. It is not even possible to compare the two.”

“Moving to a Habitat for Humanity house,” Halima continued, “has encouraged us to save to improve our circumstances. We also believe now that we can improve our lives by working hard. The impact of this house on our lives is so crucial. We can do nothing to show our gratitude except thank God.”