Kenneth and Evelyn Sell share many special memories of building Habitat homes with their friends at Congregational United Church of Christ in Greensboro. As Evelyn’s 95th birthday was approaching in March of 2020, Kenneth read a newspaper article that inspired him to honor her with a very special birthday gift – a Habitat home built in her honor.

“It was through a gift in 1968 that we were able to purchase our first home. We hope this gift to Habitat for Humanity will bring great joy and satisfaction to Osman, Shahinaz, and their two boys as they become homeowners this year,” says Kenneth of their gift.

The home sponsored by Kenneth and Evelyn kicked-off in February 2020 for future homeowners Osman and Shahinaz. Seeking better educational opportunities and a healthier and safer place to raise their children, the couple immigrated to the United States from Khartoum, Sudan, in 2016 with their two sons, Gasan (14) and Gosai (11). When they learned about Habitat Greensboro’s homeownership program from a Habitat Greensboro homeowner friend, the couple knew that this would be the perfect opportunity for their family.

Thanks to Kenneth and Evelyn’s generosity, the family has now realized their dream of homeownership. Shahinaz says, “We are so grateful to Habitat Greensboro for giving us this opportunity to purchase our own home. Our boys are so excited they will finally have their own rooms! Even though we’ve only been in the United States a few years, we feel this is our country now.”

        

        

Photo credit: Ivan Saul Cutler, Sam McClenaghan, and Wes Gilbert