land purchase

Ali's dream since I met him 7 years back has been to have his own home. Last November he found a plot of land in an area that he liked, only 4 miles from here. He talked with the brokers. Then he visited all the neighbors to ask about the current owner, previous owner, etc. He then talked with the Local Chairman,1, (like our mayor). When he was finally convinced that the one selling the plot was the rightful owner, that the land history was as had been portrayed to him, he set about trying to find the 2,000,000/= needed for the purchase. He tried to negotiate the price down, but was not successful. Finally Takia, his wife, was able to borrow some money from a relative. Ali had managed to save about 750,000/= over the past 2 years.

With the money he saved and the amount in his "retirement" account with me and the loan he was able to purchase the land at the beginning of Feb. The land does not come with a title however. He still has to pay money to the broker who connected him to the land and to the LC 1 for a written document verifying the sale from the prior owner to him. Ali is working every extra shift he can find to raise the 300,000/= to complete the transaction and then will have to make loan repayments for this year to clear all debts.

Once all that is done he can begin to save money to buy bricks and eventually build his dream house of 4 rooms - 2 bedrooms, a sitting room and kitchen. He plans to build a latrine in conjunction with a neighbor. By the time he is 50 he will likely have the home he has dreamed of for most of his life.

Pray for him to be successful and that blessings will come to allow him to make a real home for his family.

PS. He now lives about 15 miles from work and often walks most of the way to and from. He is a dedicated worker.