South San Francisco
	Click here to view slides

A New Place ... a New Life

Photographs and story by Steffan Hacker

Thein Aung and Daw Soe Tint moved their family to the United States in 2001 because they wanted a better future for their four daughters than they thought was possible under the military government of Myanmar, also known as Burma. Finding housing was a huge challenge due to high prices in the San Francisco area, and, besides, many landlords refused to rent to a family of six. The immigrant family moved in with relatives, where they lived in the garage of the small house.

Thein and Daw Soe didn't expect to be able to own a house until they saw a flier for Peninsula Habitat for Humanity. The eldest daughter, May, 24, says the experience with Habitat and the volunteers has "changed our lives and made our dreams come true."

Though their sweat-equity hours were completed long ago, the family plans to volunteer with Peninsula Habitat for Humanity on upcoming building projects. In addition to their regular mortgage payments, they also donate money to Habitat for Humanity International and other not-for-profits, including the Carter Center. The thing they are most proud of being able to do now is send money to support schools and orphanages in their home village in Myanmar. It's what the family "should do," says Thein. "For us, it's not a lot of money; for them, it is."