In 1979, Chue Houa and See Moua Xiong fled Communist-ruled Laos for the United States. In America, Chue Houa and See Moua were able to offer their children something they could not in Laos - a safe and promising future. They settled in Fresno, California, and over the next 22 years laid solid roots in the Central Valley, proudly watching their eight children grow. However, they never obtained a home of their own.

Mia, their 15-year-old daughter, remembers: "We moved to Clovis from Fresno when I was in the fourth grade. But we've moved apartments a lot more than that. I can remember living in probably six different apartments in my life."

In March of 2000, the Xiongs remedied that problem by literally laying the foundation for their own home. This was accomplished through Self-Help Enterprises' (SHE) Self-Help Housing Program, which pairs low-income families with SHE construction staff to build homes. The "sweat equity" families provide acts as a down payment.

To ensure that homes are finished in a reasonable amount of time, SHE requires all borrowers to work at least 40 hours per week at the construction site. Since both Chue Houa and See Moua were borrowers, both needed to work on the house. However, Chue Houa became disabled. It wasn't a problem thanks to their children.

Six of Xiong's children (the two youngest daughters were ineligible to participate because they were not yet 18) interceded on their father's behalf and worked diligently on the house.

Mia translated for her mother: "It's definitely a lot more work than we expected, but definitely still worth it." Mia, for her part, is excited about the prospect of having her own room in their new four-bedroom home, and she is especially grateful they won't have to move around anymore.