Alpha & Fatoumata Diallo Family

Since coming to the US almost eight years ago, many people have impacted Alpha Diallo and have been an integral part in leading him to Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity where he will finally fulfill his dream of owning his very own home.

In June of 2000, Alpha’s home country –– the Republic of Guinea ––held municipal elections that were marred with violent attacks, arrests and murders. Alpha knew his family was in danger and that they deserved a better life, one where his kids could play outside safely and sleep at night peacefully.

Shortly after the horrid elections, Alpha moved to Mali for a brief period and stayed with extended family to save up enough money for his wife and kids to move to Mali as well. When Alpha finally had enough financial security, he moved his family to Mali while he traveled to America to seek a new life for them. In 2006, Alpha’s wife and children were finally granted asylum and left their dangerous and unstable surroundings to be reunited in peace with Alpha in Iowa City.

Alpha and his wife, Fatoumata, married in 1998, and now have three children: 9-year-old Aissata, 3-year-old Fatou and an infant son, Boubacar. Through many different referrals from friends and acquaintances, the family applied to become a Habitat partner family and was approved to partner with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity in September 2008 to build a safe, decent and affordable home of their own. Since then, they’ve been working diligently to complete their 500 “sweat equity hours” they’re required to fulfill in order to move into the new home.

To the custodian at UIHC and part-time worker at a local Wal-Mart, this home will provide something he’s unable to put into words, something far beyond what he can fathom. It will provide a place for the family’s children to grow. A place they can call their own. A place where they can lead better lives. “They won’t have to search for a place to live like I have to and move,” Alpha said. “They’ll be better than me, and that’s good.”

All of this wouldn’t have been possible without the influential people Alpha’s come across throughout the last nine years: Eileen, who was his first American friend he met in at an English class held in a community college who happened to know Pular, Alpha’s first language, and invited him into her family; one of his best friends, Balla, who first introduced him to Habitat for Humanity; and Alpha’s most recent volunteer tutor through the Kirkwood Adult Literacy program, Madelaine, who kept encouraging him to apply to Iowa Valley Habitat to achieve what he deserves in life: a safe, comfortable home for his wife and three kids.

“Alpha works so hard to provide his family the best, sometimes working three jobs,” Madelaine said. “It’s really wonderful for him to have a home in Iowa City.”

“This is the best thing,” Alpha said. “I’m getting an opportunity I’ve never had before, and I can do what my dad did for his children. This house is not only for me. It’s their house. It’s for them (my children).”

Support this family into a home of their own!

Make a gift of support and select "Tippie Build 2010" under the Program Designation drop-down box.