House #144

Kokouvi, Akouyo, & family
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What homeowner ship means to them
"Homeownership would be a great thing for our family!  Home is a place filled with peace and love.  It is where we will have all the memories.  We are seeking affordable housing because we want a place to be called ours, and we also want our children to have their own space and feel free to play around.  We became a partner family through a brother... now we are working together to own our future home.  This opportunity will change a lot of things in our lives.  Even though the house is not free we will know that it will become ours once we finished paying off the mortgage.  We will be able to do things we love, and it will become memories.  Even when our children become older and leave, these memories will still be there and it will give us joy in our lifetime."

A message to volunteers
"To be able to volunteer for an organization demands love and a lot of sacrifice.  My family and I would like to thank every volunteer who will either physically, emotionally or financially assist on this project to help families become homeowners.  We are so happy to go through this journey with all of you.  May God reward you for everything you do for us and may your home be filled with love and peace.  Thank you so much for your support.  We appreciate you all!"

became a partner family
May 2023 ​

dedication
April 25, 2026

​build sponsors
A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors who made this home possible: Russell Construction, Charity Golf Outing proceeds, Arconic, CNH, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Quad Cities Community Foundation, and the QC Housing Council. Your support is truly changing lives.
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​​in-kind donors
​Ambassadors class from Clinton Middle School
Baecke Appraisers
Comfort Concepts QCA
Cree (light bulbs)
​Hampton Crane Inc
Hy-Vee
Isabel Bloom
Martin Equipment
Mississippi Valley Quilt Guild
Parkview Lutheran Church Quilters
Ryan Weber, Attorney Gomez, May, LLP 
Schneider Electric/Square D
​Sherwin-Williams
Whirlpool Corporation

​family mentors
Once accepted into the Habitat program, Kokouvi & Akouyo was paired with Shannon Panjwani who work with them throughout the program.
​groundbreaking
Kokouvi & Akouyo worked to earn their sweat equity hours. Sweat equity refers to time spent working on job sites, working at our restore or office, hours spent attending classes to learn about budgeting, use of credit, home maintenance and escrow/insurance. Every adult in the home must earn 250 hours, not easy when working, raising a family, but they are well on their way. 
work begins on the house
Now Kokouvi & Akouyo can earn sweat equity working on their own home. Families get to pick from 3 different house plans once they meet their sweat equity needs. ​Now they can earn sweat equity working on their own home.

work groups
Thank you to the support from 7 incredible volunteer groups: Martin Equipment, Wells Fargo, Merrill Lynch, CNH, Arconic, Eaton, QC Realtors, and John Deere. 


​the build
This home is a powerful example of what can happen when a community comes together. With over 1,400 volunteer hours and support from 7 incredible volunteer groups. Another family now has a safe, affordable place to call home. A special thank you to Andy and Bill, whose time, leadership, and hands-on work helped guide this build every step of the way. We are so grateful for everyone's dedication.
Ben
Eric

​dedication
We were honored to welcome Akouyo & Kokouvi and their family into their new home. A place where strength, stability, and self-reliance can truly take root. Through incredible dedication, they completed more than 600 hours of sweat equity, along with homeowner education classes focused on budgeting, credit, and homeownership. Their hard work has made this moment so well deserved.
​the finished house
Habitat homeowners pay a low-down payment on a zero percent interest mortgage for 25-30 years. Monthly payments will be affordable at less than 30% of their household income.


​Whether you worked building this house, served lunch, or donated – we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!! ​