Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

 Some may call it a match made in heaven, for when Yirgalem Teffesse and Bruk Ambaye met and married, their lives quickly turned for the better.

Bruk and Yirgalem were both originally from Ethiopia and living in Yemen at the time – he was a former Ethiopian navy officer and political refugee, and she was working to support her family back home.  They both struggled, feeling alone and isolated in a country where they felt unwelcome.

Yirgalem was an orthodox Christian living in a country that was 100 percent Muslim.  “You can’t practice religion freely there like you can here.  The culture and religion is completely different.  I didn’t know about Yemen before I left my country, but I needed work,” she said.

Three years after they married, the first miracle happened. 

Through their marriage Yirgalem gained refugee status that allowed her to apply for one of the precious few diversity visas awarded annually by the United States.  Out of over 5 million qualified applications made each year, 50,000 permanent visas are given to individuals worldwide.  Yirgalem was chosen for the 2000 VISA Lottery, and the couple arrived in Atlanta in June of 2000.

“It was like going to heaven for me to come here.  I can practice my religion here, I can go to school here, I can work, and I can start my family,” said Yirgalem. 

When asked where they wanted to reside in the United States, the couple said Minnesota.

“They told us it was a very cold state,” said Bruk.  “But we arrived in July when it was very warm, so we didn’t believe it.  A few months later, we found out how cold it could get.”

“I love the snow,” said Yirgalem.  “When I was a little girl growing up, I thought there was only snow in Canada.  I was so excited to find out that we get a lot of snow in Minnesota.  I really enjoy it.”

The couple secured jobs within two weeks of moving to Minnesota, and rented a studio apartment soon after.  Shopping for household products was a new experience for them.

Finally able to relax and be themselves, the couple decided they could start focusing on raising a family.

Their daughter was also named after Yirgalem’s best friend.  “Before I left the country, I told her I don’t know when we will be together again, but if I have kids, I will name my first baby Elizabeth,” she said.  The friends were reunited two years ago when Yirgalem visited family in Ethiopia.

As Elizabeth grew older, the couple became concerned with their living conditions.  The family shared a small one bedroom apartment in a crime ridden neighborhood.  Elizabeth woke up nightly to sirens, and people yelling in the streets.

“We started worrying about where we would go, we cannot afford to buy a house with our income,” said Bruk.  Elizabeth also dreamed of one day having a “Barbie room” like her friends at preschool – a place with room to play and grow.

Friends of the family suggested Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.  The couple looked online for contact information, and went through the application process.

“When they called and said we were approved for a Woodbury home, it was a dream come true.  In my life, there have been a few days that make me crazy with joy.  When we got the VISA to the United States, and when we were selected for a Habitat house.  God truly works in miracles,” said Bruk.

The couple enjoyed the homeowner classes and the skills they learned while doing sweat equity.  Bruk treasures the time spent with volunteers.

“I learned new skills like how to use tools.  There was one volunteer, a retired carpenter of 32 years who showed me how to use a saw.  I will never forget that day.  He made art with how he cut the wood.  It was amazing,” he said.

“I have had a very up and down life,” said Bruk.  “I saw war and suffering.  Most of my life has been very tough, so I always lived with what’s in front of me.  I saw many friends and family die, but still I am here.  I am living a surplus life.  Now, I can look to the future, and work to give my kids a better life than me.  We have a place to raise them safely, and my daughter goes to a better school thanks to Habitat.”

The family moved into their home this fall, just after the arrival of their second daughter, Bethea.  Elizabeth has her own room that her daddy painted pink just for her.  The family looks forward to their first Christmas in their new Habitat home – a place where they can practice their faith freely, the girls have space to grow, and the couple enjoys peace and solace after a lifetime of strife.