From Hardship to Home: A New Beginning for May Nay Htoe and Ma Ka Lah

From Hardship to Home: A New Beginning for May Nay Htoe and Ma Ka Lah

The following quotes were conveyed through a translator and have been edited for clarity and accuracy.

May Nay Htoe & Ma Ka Lah are ready to move out of their current rental and move into a safe, stable home. In their current living situation, they face numerous challenges including lead paint, roaches, broken pipes, lack of hot water, and an unresponsive landlord.

Now, through a partnership with Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity, May Nay Htoe & Ma Ka Lah are building a brand-new home for their family. 

“We want to have a better house, new construction,” Ma Ka Lah said. “It will mean better health for the kids and a better environment. It will be a clean house with no roaches. The condition is really bad.”

At one point, May Nay Htoe & Ma Ka Lah received a letter instructing them to go to the hospital to check for lead levels in their blood due to lead exposure in their home.

“We don’t have to go to the hospital when we move,” Ma Ka Lah said. “There was lead in the kids’ blood.”

Their children are thrilled about the move and are eagerly anticipating their new home.

“They are so happy; they can’t wait. They keep asking about it,” Ma Ka Lah said. “Our kids are happy they have their own house and can do whatever they want to do.”

As part of Milwaukee Habitat’s Affordable Homeownership program, May Nay Htoe & Ma Ka Lah will complete sweat equity hours where they spend time on site building their home and the homes of their neighbors. They are looking forward to learning new skills through this process.

“We are happy to have that experience,” Ma Ka Lah said. “If something happens in the future, we know how to fix it. We will know more about construction.”

Before moving to the United States, the family lived in a refugee camp in Thailand, where life was very different.

“Our house was built with leaves and bamboo. We had never seen snow before” Ma Ka Lah said. “Our kids have opportunities here. They can do what they want.”

As May Nay Htoe & Ma Ka Lah move closer to achieving homeownership, their sense of hope and excitement continues to grow. 

“We are just happy to become homeowners,” Ma Ka Lah said.

Their new home represents more than just walls and a roof. It is a foundation for health, opportunity, and a brighter future for their children.