Building community

TUSCALOOSA | Eight years ago, Pamela Ajoloko -- a New York native -- lived in Nigeria with her husband and their four children.

Tragically, in February 2003, her husband became very ill and fell into a coma. “He had bad diabetes and a stroke," Ajoloko said. “Before he fell into a coma, he told me to take the kids to my mother’s house here in Tuscaloosa and come back for him later."

Ajoloko did as she was told, and in April of that same year, she went back to Nigeria for her husband.

She was too late.

“He had already passed," she said. “I ended up going back for a funeral."

“In Nigeria, a wife has no rights and no rights to her husband’s possessions. Everything went to his brothers."

After returning to Tuscaloosa, Ajoloko learned through her church about how she could get a house for a reduced price through Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa.

“I talked to my pastor Father Jerry Deasy at Holy Spirit about it, and he advised me to apply for a Habitat home in July 2004," she said. “By October I was told that I would be a recipient, so I started putting in my sweat equity hours by helping build other peoples Habitat homes."

“Doing all that work is great because you learn how to build your home and help other people. Plus the work and the diet I’ve been on caused me to lose a total of 71 pounds."

Ajoloko’s house will be the first of Habitat’s new Apostles Build program, a partnership between Habitat and 12 area churches that contribute $3,400 toward the total cost of the house and volunteer their membership to help build the house one Saturday during the 12-week build period.

“We have 12 churches but we need two more to sponsor this build," said Susan Bishop, Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa developmental manager. “We break ground on Feb. 18, so if any churches in area want to help they can still jump on board."

Ajoloko said that since she’s partnered with Habitat, every aspect of her life has improved as if an unseen presence were helping her make the choices.

“I feel honored, blessed and proud to say I’m in partnership with Habitat," Ajoloko said. “Everything happens for a reason, and the Apostles Build just seems so appropriate for us."

Reach Jamon Smith at jamon. smith@tuscaloosanews.com or (205) 722-0204.