NEENAH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — There’s no place like home for the holidays in Neenah, where the Pilipili family will be spending Christmas in their new home thanks to Habitat for Humanity.
“I think every family deserves to have a permanent place to call home, ” said new homeowner Samuel Pilipili.
From Congo to Kenya as a refugee, to a rundown apartment, and now to his very own home in Northeast Wisconsin. ”Home for the Holidays” couldn’t be more fitting for Samuel and his family.
”This family, you know, they’ve gone through so much throughout their life, and they’ve had so many challenges that they’ve been faced with, ” Habitat for Humanity’s John Winegard said. Coming to this country, and resettling and kinda starting a new life is always a big challenge.”
Monday – challenged faced and met.
Before unlocking this new chapter of his life, the Pelipilis lived in a one-bedroom apartment.
”What a story!” said Neenah mayor Dean Kaufert. ”It’s Christmas, and it’s kind of like a Christmas story in itself, right here in Neenah, Wisconsin.”
In 2016, Samuel, Chantal, and their two children came to the United States and lived in Michigan for eight months but later moved to Wisconsin to be closer to Chantal’s brother and start a new life.
Now, their life-long dream of homeownership in the United States is becoming a reality, just in time for the holidays.
It’s a new house, and a new address, but at least one person will be sure to find it.
”I told him I’ll make sure that Santa knows he moved so that he gets here in a couple of days!” Kaufert said.
And, even amid a pandemic, the community of Neenah coming together is no surprise to anyone.
”There’s stories every week about someone in Neenah helping someone!” Kraufert said.
”Thank you for everyone involved, especially Habitat for Humanity doing this for families, like mine and other families. That’s amazing!” Pelipili said.
