St. Luke's Episcopal Church

InterFaith Build is an opportunity for faith communities to join together for the common mission of building a simple, decent, affordable home in partnership with a family in need.  St. Luke’s is a participating faith community.  These communities raise the money and provide the volunteer labor and prayer support to build a house along with the partner family.

An InterFaith Build has the potential to build harmony and understanding among different faith communities.  In a world where our differences often tear us apart, an InterFaith build allows us to concentrate on our similarities and to create something truly special.

There are 21 differnt faith communities from Rochester partnering together to help build a home for the Ahmed family.  Ground was broken in July, 2010.

Meet the Interfaith Build Partner Family

Guled and Saido are refugees who escaped to Kenya to flee from civil war.  Saido’s mother Hakum lives with the family and helps to take car of the children.  Guled and Saido have seven children.  Ubah 18, Mohamed 13, Abdelhakim 11, Hashim 5, Harum 4, Muntas 3, and Abdimalik 1 1/2.

Guled and Saido both grew up in Somalia.  Their families moved Nairobi, Kenya during the civil war in Somalia to escape the violence.  Guled and Saido lived in the same neighborhood in Nairobi and where they happened to meet.  They married in 1999.  Guled moved to the United States four years later.  Most of their exteded family has immigrated to the United States.  Saido’s mother, Hakimo, immigrated in 2006 to help care for her grandchildren.

Guled works at IBM in manufacturing.  When we discussed the InterFaith Build with him, Guled shared that he leads an assembly line at IBM that includes Somalis, Cambodians, Sudanese, Eastern Europeans, Hispanics, as well as Caucasians.  Guled “lives” interfaith at work everyday.

Saido and Guled enjoy the annual IBM picnic very much.  Saido said it is fun and interesting to meet so many people from all over the world who work at IBM.  Saido used to work at IBM, but she was laid off.  She is now taking ESL classes at Hawthorne Education Center.

Guled said the family just enjoys being all together, which is a challenge with their seven children.  The famly is currently renting two appartments because their family is too large for one.  They like to go outside together when the weather is nice and play soccer or basketball.  One of their favorite family memories is celebrating Eid, a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.  Everyone gathers to eat, talk, take pictures, and celebrate.  Guled says this day is a joyous and happy time.