Oumar Diallo & Fatou Traore Family

For Oumar and Fatou, the difficulties and struggles they have faced over the past years are insignificant compared to the joy and hopeful days they have ahead. One day soon, the family will have a brand new home with enough space for their two young boys to run and to play. And one day soon, the couple will be reunited with their two older sons who remained living in Africa when they moved to America.

Years ago, Oumar and Fatou — refugees of Guinea, Africa and parents of four strikingly handsome boys — were granted asylum to leave their dangerous and unstable surroundings in Guinea and move to the United State. They sought a safer and better life for their children, and they knew America would provide them with the best opportunities for their sons to succeed in life. Sadly however, their sons were not granted Visas to move with them, and since have lived in Mali where their grandparents take care of them.

When speaking to the family, you cannot help but see the loneliness and anguish this separation has caused them. But despite that, the family remains hopeful. Oumar and Fatou talk to their sons multiple times each week, keeping up with their boys’ school activities and their growing lives.

It’s evident the parents miss their 13- and 15-year-old sons, but instead of focusing on those feelings they choose to look towards the future. They look towards the one day when the entire family will be reunited all under one roof. Oumar said his two sons are in the queue to receive Visas and move to America; now the family waits.

“It’s very hard,” Fatou said when speaking about her sons still living in Africa. “But if we bring them here they’ll have a better life,” Oumar added.

The teenagers will be rejoined with their mother and father, whom they haven’t seen in over five years. They’ll meet their two younger brothers for the very first time. And they’ll become one family again, living under one roof – in a safe and decent four-bedroom home that will be built by Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity volunteers and supporters this summer.

About the Diallo family

In 2002, Oumar Diallo moved from his home country of Guinea to New York City. His country was unsafe with constant fighting, riots, arrests and murders. Oumar wanted to better his wife and children's lives and knew moving to America would provide them with abundant opportunities.

“My country is very tough,” he said. “You think, ‘Maybe someday they’ll kill you. Maybe someday they’ll rob you. You don’t know.’”

Within six months of coming to the United States, Oumar moved to Iowa City to seek job opportunities while living with an acquaintance. His wife, Fatou, joined him just a year later to plant their household in the Iowa City area. The couple currently lives in the Bon-Aire Mobile Home Lodge with their two youngest sons, six-year-old Amadou and three-year-old Esoumaila.

Oumar said he’s looking forward to a new home of their own so his family can be safe and comfortable. His wants his children to have more room to play. He wants them to be safe and comfortable. He wants them to be warm at night and safe during storms and high winds. Their current mobile home lacks the sturdy structure that will allow him to sleep peacefully at night, knowing his family is safe.

Support this family into a home of their own!

Make a gift of support and select "Room for All Build" under the Program Designation drop-down box.