Local woman receives keys to new home after immigrating from Iraq [Video]

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – A local woman has achieved her lifelong dream of becoming a homeowner.

Less than a decade after immigrating to the United States, Fatima Naher received the keys to her new home in the Hillsdale area.

Fatima Naher holds the key to her new home and her future thanks to Habitat for Humanity, a global nonprofit building homes for low-income families.

“When you see someone who comes over here for a better life and is willing to work hard just like anyone else- to get that dream and you know, we want to be a part of that,” said Courtney Rouse-Heinz, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity. She says their goal is a hand-up, not a hand-out.

“Our houses are not a giveaway- there’s a mortgage to it, you have to pay for it, you have to do sweat equity hours- so as I mentioned, she was out here …