Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver is proud to introduce Abdel and Maha Gamal Meged and their three children: Fatima (age 10), Mohammed (age 87), and Fady (age 4).  Also living in the Meged household is Abdel's mother, Awtis.  The Meged family moved to the United States from Egypt in 1985 and has lived in Colorado since 1986.  Currently Abdel works as a banquet server for Marriott, where he has been employed for five years.  Maha Gamal works as a childcare worked and has been employed for four years.  At this time the Meged family of six live in a three-bedroom apartment in southeast Denver.  Rent is very expensive for this small apartment and the living situation is very crowded.

 

When asked what homeownership means to their family, Abdel responded by saying, "homeownership means a lot, so much more than I could find words in Englisih to explain, but when you have a stable roof over your head it allows your family to really settle down.  It is so nice to think of our family having our own place, somewhere the whole family can live together comfortably, safely and securely."  Abdel spoke of the many difficulties of living in a large apartment complex, everything from the noise to the crime.  "This home means a lot to my children.  For them to have their own home means that they won't have to move in a year or whenever a lease is through.  They too can put roots down and that means they will be able to be in the same school, rather than having to move around." The Meged family's home will be at 5871 Olive St. in Commerce City.  It will be completed in November, 2002.

 

To say that Abdel and his family are grateful for the opportunty that Habitat is giving them is an understatement. He truly understands the Habitat mission and it's goal to end sub-standard housing by bringing people together.  Abdel stated, "People everywhere need a roof and a safe place to grow.  Habitat gives families that opportunity and they do it in such a way that it brings out the best in people as a whole.  We need each other and that means that we need to help each other."

 

Abdel and his family wanted to send this message to their interfaith sponsor, Habitat on the Hill, "We appreciate the work that you do as a group of people and recognize that it comes from the heart.  Some people look at my family and our differences and then instantly look for our mistakes.  I cannot express how grateful I am to meet people who are willing to love and to lend a helping hand, despite our differences."