Sault’s latest Habitat homeowners ready to move in
A family in Sault Ste. Marie who fled the civil war in Syria has become the area’s newest Habitat for Humanity homeowners. The Barakat family moved to Canada in 2016 as refugees, and are now ready to move into their new home and onto to a new chapter of their lives.
Staff from Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area, donors and local dignitaries joined the Barakats for a ribbon cutting ceremony and to help them celebrate.
"We are very excited for our new home," said Ahmad Barakat.
"A home accessible for (my) wheelchair, more space, especially for the kids, they have a backyard. We are very, very excited."
Ahmad suffered a spinal injury years ago and he depends on a wheelchair for mobility. He and his wife, Manal, are expecting their fourth child in May.
"I feel like a special something has happened to me and my life," said Manal.
"New chapter to my life and my family's life."
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Katie Blunt, Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area’s executive director, said the Barakats applied for a ‘Habitat home’ in the past, but were deemed ineligible for various reasons – adding this family's story should serve as encouragement for families in similar situations.
"They kept applying, and now they're successful, now they own a Habitat home," said Blunt.
"If you're not eligible for a ‘Habitat home’ at one point, please continue applying, because you could be eligible in the future."
To stay up-to-date about Sault-area Habitat for Humanity projects, follow them on Twitter.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.