NATCHEZ – Chikeita Stewart and her family waited a little over a year to move into their new home thanks to Natchez-Adams County Habitat for Humanity. COVID delayed some of their progress, but they were able to move into the house on March 14, 2021.
That Thanksgiving was the first time they had the holidays in their home. The halls are decorated with red and green Christmas decorations. Stockings hang carefully on the television and a Christmas tree stood high in the corner.
“This is my first time to cook Thanksgiving,” Stewart said last week. “I was looking forward to the holidays. I am very excited. My children are happy and they got a dog. You always wanted one. “
Zoey is a calm and friendly pit bull who wears a blinded collar. From her crate, puppy eyes greet all the guests in the house while she remains calm. She stays close to her family in the front yard. A basketball goal and two cars fill the driveway.
Habitat for Humanity is a Christian ministry that offers people a home. Families are selected for the houses via a selection process. Chikeita first learned she was selected as a finalist to keep the house, and then the call came one day at Pearl Street Pasta where she works.
“I didn’t know who the number was from,” said Stewart. “I stepped outside and answered the call. I was really happy. I cried tears of joy. ”
She said the house felt like home from the moment she started building it. Every family that receives a home from Habitat for Humanity has to work 250 hours. She said she invested more to get the house ready.
One morning she received a text message from Duncan McFarlane saying the house had passed the inspection. One weekend she packed up and moved. Everyone in her family helped, she said.
“Now I’m staying in a good neighborhood,” said Stewart. “I don’t have to worry about my kids getting into trouble while I’m at work. We feel safe, it was the best. “
She started decorating the holidays two weeks ago. “It feels good to be able to call this our home,” said Stewart.
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