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Perth Campus joins with Habitat for Humanity to change lives

Dedication CeremonyConstruction is now complete on Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa’s first build in Perth.

And in celebration a key ceremony is being held on Wednesday, June 28 at 2 p.m. at the site of the build, 53 Arthur St., Perth.

The key ceremony will see the community come out in force to take part in the official transfer of the home to the Tall family. The home was built through a unique partnership with the Algonquin College, Perth Campus students of the Construction Carpentry, Advanced Housing Program who worked on the home weekly as part of their program from September 2016 to April 2017. This was done in partnership with the local Perth Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

Many members of the community greatly supported the project along with Town of Perth, Lanark County, the Lanark-Leeds Home Builders Association and many sponsors including the Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group, OMYA, Noble Wealth Management and the 2016 Canadian Stone Carving Festival.

The family is so appreciative of the opportunity to own a home. Since coming to Canada more than 10 years ago from Senegal, Makhtar Tall and his wife, Seynabou, have worked tirelessly to establish a good life for them and their three children — Fatou, 11, Fallon, 9 and Oumou, seven months. Over the years, Tall worked his way up to store manager at a local Dollarama in Ottawa, with Seynabou as an active stay-at-home mom. But, despite their efforts, their ultimate goal of homeownership remained just out of reach.

With five people living in a cramped two-bedroom apartment, their current living situation did not suit their needs. The family was looking into community housing when they heard about Habitat GO’s homeownership program and decided to apply. Now, as a Habitat GO partner family, Tall says he is looking forward to improving the quality of life for him and his family.

“I would much rather invest my money rather than paying rent and having no return,” says Tall. “This will enable me to build a better future for my family.”

Through the partnership with Algonquin College, Perth Campus, Habitat GO built its first home in Perth in 2016-2017 as part of the Construction Carpentry — Advanced Housing Program. Thanks to the commitment of the campus and Habitat GO’s sponsors, donors, volunteers, tradespeople and the members of the new Perth Chapter, the family’s dream of homeownership is now coming true.

“It’s a great opportunity to be able to own your own home and give back to a community that is truly yours,” says Tall. “I’m not sure I could have ever done this without the Habitat for Humanity Program.”