Meet Montaser and Rabab, Future Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity Homeowners

Homeownership will give each of their children the opportunity to thrive.

Montaser and Rabab moved to Iowa with their two oldest children in 2017. Iowa offered more job opportunities that would help them maintain the quality of education they wanted for their kids. 

A former engineer, Montaser found work in manufacturing and currently works two jobs, one of which puts him on the night shift. Rabab works for a local non-profit and as a paraeducator. 

As the family settled into their life, their youngest son was diagnosed with a progressive condition that will eventually limit his mobility completely. He is also impacted by sensory needs and will always require assistance for daily tasks.  
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Montaser and Rabab moved around within Iowa, in search of a school district that could meet his needs. After three schools, they settled in Johnson County, where they found an educational team that was exactly what he needed. 

​However, their rental home is anything but. ​

Not only does their home fall short of meeting their son's needs, but it is also an unsafe environment for the entire family. Upon moving in, they discovered their walls contained lead, and the carpeting desperately needed to be replaced. Additionally, as they have lived in the home, plumbing, heating, and cooling failures, inaccessibility, and yearly rent increases have made the house unlivable.  
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To address some of the health concerns within the home, Montaser and Rabab replaced the carpet, attempted to fix the plumbing, and added a fence so their kids can play safely in their yard. Rabab said the home is draining money, and they don't even own it. ​

“If we're going to pay money, we need to do it in my house, no other house,” Rabab said. 

They knew a safe, stable home would be critical to their family’s well-being and contacted Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity.

The Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity team knew this would be a unique project. Before drawing up the plan for Montaser and Rabab’s home, Homeowner Services Coordinator Kari Clark spoke with their son’s rehab team to ensure it would be accessible for him now and in the future.  
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She found that, combined with his reduced strength and mobility, seizures and emotional dysregulation can be triggered when he is overstimulated. Rabab said being outside is calming for him, and the lower stimuli helps regulate his seizures. ​

“He likes going outside. It doesn’t matter if it’s day or night. He likes to see new stuff. He likes the animals; he likes to explore. And he just needs more space; the outside is good for him,” Rabab said. ​

Because he cannot be left unsupervised outside, construction staff designed a three-season porch for the home. Built without an exterior door, the porch will allow him to safely experience the outdoors all year long. ​

“Even if he's out there, I can look at him and do other stuff in the house... it is going to make us more comfortable and less anxious about what he will be doing because he will be able to look out,” Rabab said.  

Their home will also have accessibility modifications such as wider hallways and doorways, low-threshold showers, and an entry wheelchair ramp.
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The home’s location is ideal for all the kids, as it allows them to remain in the same schools. Montaser said he is excited for all their children to stay with their friends, teachers, and community. 

Their oldest son plays soccer at his high school and is looking toward a collegiate career in the sport, while working toward a nursing degree. He, along with his sisters – one, a talented poet finishing middle school, and the other, a rambunctious pre-kindergartener – are looking forward to their new home.  

The two oldest siblings said they are excited to have their own rooms where friends can come over, and to have a safe, comfortable home. 

“I don't bring my friends here, I go to their house. I don't like bringing them here... it will be better in the new home,” their oldest son said. 

Montaser and Rabab have been very active on the build site of their home. Montaser said the process of building their house has given them an increased sense of community. They have become close to Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity volunteers.

“Working with the team and volunteers, we can build relationships with people... we don't have a lot of people that we talk to, but this has opened the path,” Montaser said. 

​The family is excited about the accessibility of the home, but Rabab and Montaser are also eager for their plate to be a little less full. They will be able to focus on education and comfort. 
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They look forward to saving for family experiences, their children's education, and an accessible van for their son. 

Together, we build home for today and tomorrow.​