Putting Down Roots

Happiness. This is what A Pya wants for his family and what he believes homeownership will bring. Currently, this active family of eight lives in a noisy, overpriced apartment and is ready to put down their roots in a home and neighborhood of their own.

A Pya and Bay Dar Paw were born in Burma, along with their three oldest children, San Kyi (20), Lar Lar Win (18) and Htin Lin Soe (16). After being forced into a Thai refugee camp, their family was blessed with two more children, Sa Yoe Tha (8) and Yo Nar (5). Their youngest child, November (1), was born here in Omaha and they have another baby on the way!

This resilient family follows community-minded Karen traditions and prioritizes meals as the cornerstone of their time with family and friends. In fact, Bay Dar Paw and A Pya speak fondly of getting to know other Habitat families and volunteers over lunch on the build sites while completing their sweat equity hours.

Adapting to American customs within their family took a little time, though. Cooking on a gas stove and eating indoors was quite the adjustment, and the children still prefer a traditional Karen dish of doe doh above anything else!

From volleyball to soccer and fishing, this family is often on the move and agrees that the warmer months are their favorite. Planting a garden is a top priority once they move into their new home!