In 1991, Sharif-Ali Hassan and his family were forced out of their spacious home by rebels in war-torn Somalia.
The next home for Hassan, his wife, Alwiya, and their six children was a refugee camp in Kenya.
The Hassans’ current residence is an east Denver public housing unit that has Hassan concerned for his children’s safety because of incidents involving crime and drugs.
“I want them to have a home where they’ll be safe from harm,’ Hassan said.
On Wednesday, the Hassan family joined Colorado first lady Frances Owens and more than 70 female volunteers from Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver’s Women Build program, and from the Home Interiors company, at the site of a new home for the Hassans in the 1400 block of Stuart Street. Both groups helped build and raise money for the home project.
Women Build has constructed more than 350 Habitat houses across the country using female crews.
The Hassans’ new dwelling is the city’s 15th to be built by the all-woman organization. Colorado has the most Women Build homes in the country.
“Women can build just as good as men,’ Owens said.
Owens should know. She said she was the first female in her high school class to take wood shop. A cedar chest she built placed third during a State Fair competition.
“Women present a unique way of caring for everything they touch,’ she said.
Construction on the Has sans’ new home began in March. It will have four bedrooms and approximately 1,300 square feet of living space. The family will probably move in sometime in July.
The home is being sponsored by Home Interiors, a direct-sale home decor, gift and accessories company. More than $500,000 was raised by Home Interiors sales associates throughout the country this year. The sum of $50,000 was donated specifically for the Hassans’ new home.
“It’s so rewarding to give a hand up and not a handout,’ said Christi Carter Urschel,founder of Home Interiors Charitable Foundation.
At the home site, women accessorized with hard hats, earrings and tool belts cut and hammered siding and climbed metal ladders.
Sharif-Ali’s daughter’s Zeinab, 11, said she can’t wait to move in.
“We will belong to a new neighborhood and school. I’m very happy,’ Zeinab said.
Staff writer Annette Espinoza can be reached at 303-820-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com.
