Habitat home dedicated in Snoqualmie

Published 6:09 pm Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Members of the Bu-Say family received the keys to their new home June 6, in a dedication ceremony with Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County.

Approximately 30 people attended the event, in Snoqualmie’s Koinona Ridge, the largest Habitat neighborhood in the Northwest.

The Bu-Say family is originally from Burma, also known as Myanmar. They lived in Thailand as refugees for 15 years before migrating to the U.S in 2008. The family of five lived in a two-bedroom apartment in Tukwila. The boys shared a bedroom and the daughter, Helber, slept on the couch.

Peh Bu works as a full-time janitor and P’lae Say works for a local beverage company in packaging. Helber just graduated from a local community college and is planning to pursue her nursing degree. Brothers, Hsar Bwen Moo and Shel Ster Moo are in high school and middle school.

The family is very excited to own a home in Snoqualmie. The home is a ‘buy-back’ or ‘recycled’ home. If a family decides to move out, Habitat Seattle-King County purchases the house and after refurbishment, sells it to another Habitat-qualified family.

The home was completely repainted inside and out, and interior finishes were updated with all new flooring throughout, Energy Star lighting and appliances and countertops.

Helber writes, “There are not enough words to express our joy and gratitude for the opportunity that Habitat has given us. The process through Habitat has opened up many doors to new experiences.”

Among the  speakers were Habitat Board Member and former Habitat homeowner, Kirsten Tastula and Dr. Paul Aita, a retired pastor who has been working with refugees from Burma in south King County since 2008.

Following the dedication, friends and family enjoyed a potluck which included some Burmese dishes.

P’lae Say holds up the keys to her family’s new in Snoqualmie.

Shoes piled up outside the home as friends were invited inside for a potluck following the dedication.