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This article was published 16/06/2022 (347 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For the first time in their young lives, Mabashar and Firdous Shah’s five children will have their own bedrooms.

The family was one of 10 to receive a new home in the Amber Trails neighbourhood of Winnipeg, thanks to Habitat for Humanity Manitoba.

Greg Paseshnik, a director at Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corp., a Habitat sponsor, handed the family the key to their new home Thursday morning at a ceremony at RBC Convention Centre.

Mabashar said he always dreamed of having a house that fit his family, but wasn’t sure the day would ever come. The family moved to Canada in 2014 from Dubai and, after stints in Quebec and Alberta, found their home in Winnipeg.

“The Habitat program is wonderful. We are very thankful for the program, the sponsors and the volunteers,” Firdous said. “We’re excited for a new location with new neighbours and a great opportunity.”

Habitat for Humanity helps families purchase an affordable home with a no down payment, no interest, renewable 15-year mortgage. To buy the materials and build the houses, the organization relies on fundraising, donations from sponsors and the help of volunteers.

The Shahs were accepted by the program this year, and Mabashar was given the opportunity to help build the property.

“I got to spend a lot of time and worked hard to get to this point. Working on the home made it that much more special for me to see the design and be part of the process,” he said.

Muhammad Arshad, another home recipient, used to garden every weekend when he lived in Pakistan. When he and his family moved to Canada in 2015, they were restricted to living in smaller apartments with no yard. He will now get the opportunity to tend a garden once again.

“Our new home is a paradise for us. I’m very thankful and grateful. It never came to my mind that I would be able to afford a house with the price of the market,” he said. “We are very excited to have a place to call home.”

The house Arshad, his wife and 12-year-old son will move into was sponsored by Westland Insurance and will be located on Ken McCrea Cove, with 19 other homes built by the program.

Michelle Pereira, Habitat Manitoba chief operating officer, said the key ceremony is the most meaningful day of the organization’s year.

“When you get to go to work every day and help others have a better life, it really feels good,” she said. “The stability of a safe and decent home is a powerful foundation for a family to build roots and build community.”

Pereira said providing an opportunity to families is what the program is all about.

The Shah family moves into their house June 29; the Arshads will move in next month.

bryce.hunt@freepress.mb.ca