Mahamadou and Aissata

Mahamadou Traore partnered with students, faculty, and staff of Tippie College of Business to build his Habitat home that is scheduled to be complete on May 5, 2012. He loved meeting the diverse group of volunteers that helped him build his home. “But not just building the house, also bringing the community together,” explains Mahamadou, “so many people from different states, different areas were there [building the house]. We learned from them and they learned from us.”

Mahamadou immigrated to the United States in 2002 from the Ivory Coast to escape the escalating violence resulting from civil war. His wife, Aissata Diallo, immigrated to America from Mali in 2004. Mahamadou and Aissata met in Iowa City through family friendships and married in 2004. They settled in Iowa City to raise their family because it is, “a good place, nice people around. A good place to have a family, good schools, good for the children,” according to Mahamadou. They have three daughters, Oumou, Latoymata, and Kadidiatou.

The family currently lives in a small, two bedroom apartment which provides shelter, but not exactly a home environment. As Mahamadou describes, “The apartments are kind of scary, especially with a family. The neighbors are loud and the children do not understand.” He continues, “It will be so good to have a home of our own with good neighbors.”

Aissata and Mahamadou learned that they were accepted as a Habitat for Humanity Partner Family in December 2010. When asked how that made them feel, Mahamadou responded, “So happy, so excited! It’s hard to believe volunteers want to be there, and are happy to be working together.” As soon as their application was accepted, Mahamadou immediately began his volunteer service at Habitat for Humanity, helping other Iowa Valley Habitat partner homeowners build their homes. Mahamadou and Aissata are well on their way to completing their 500 required “sweat equity” volunteer hours.

Mahamadou wants the volunteer builders and fundraisers that will work with him to build his family’s home to know that it feels good to have their help and that he is impressed with how they will “pull together to help someone else out.”

“I hope they get back, not just today but also in the future. I hope this helps them have a good life, and I hope they get help back when they need it.”

Please be a part of “community coming together” and donate today to support the Traore-Diallo Family into homeownership!