A publication of San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity
April/May 2009
A Place Called Home Azat Ter-Matevosyan cannot squeeze into the kitchen to get a soda from the refrigerator when his wife, Lusine, is washing dishes. The kitchen is so narrow that he and she are “cheek to cheek.” They live in Glendale in a one-bedroom, one-bath studio apartment with their two children. Art, is three years old, and Christine, is six. The children have slept in bunk beds in the only bedroom for the last three years. Azat and Lusine sleep on the lumpy, uncomfortable hide-abed in the living room. All four of them share the only closet in the bedroom, and when it is opened, there is apprehension because things have to be piled on top of each other and come tumbling out. In 2005, Azat and Lusine saw an ad on television about applying for a Habitat home. They applied for one of the Palmer homes, but were denied. Giving up was
not an option. In 2007 they tried again having more understanding of the terms and the process. On January 8, 2008, there was a note on the door for some papers to be signed. At the appointed time, the door was open because they were expecting one person. Soon, they could hear the shuffling of many steps. Azat thought, “Why are so many people coming for one signature?” At the door stood the entire selection team from Habitat with a beautiful bouquet of flowers telling them they had been selected to purchase a home of their own. Azat stood speechless and frozen from shock. Lusine exclaimed, “Say something! She’s holding the flowers!” Azat rarely has no words, but on this day he was mute and in a daze. He thought he was in a dream and just sat in silence. In his mind he thought, “With all the hundreds of
families applying I feel that I’ve found a treasure and don’t want to let it go. I just want to squeeze it to my chest.” That night they could not sleep and kept saying to each other, “Did you realize what just happened today?” They knew in that brief moment their lives would forever be changed. Now, they will own this very precious treasure. Lusine kept a single red flower from the bouquet to remind her of this unforgettable, most memorable day in their lives. They believe that owning a home will create a strong foundation for their young family. Azat strongly feels that you earn it and then want to protect it. “Every night when you come home from work, you can rest and relax knowing that you and your family have a secure future. The children will absorb that feeling of Continued on page 3 1