Fall 1996 Newsletter

Formatting Update: July, 1998

The Nu'ñez Family

by Laura Duncan

"Most of the problems in the world exist because we leave love aside," Fernando Nu'ñez explains. "When we all work together as we do for Habitat, we learn how to manifest our love, to extend it beyond our families." The Nu'ñez family - Fernando, his wife Luz-Elva Tovar, and four of their six sons - are preparing to move into their new Walker town home after five years of waiting. After two applications, an extensive screening process and many, many hours of construction work, there will be no more sleeping in the living room of the small apartment they've been sharing for the past five years. The Nu'ñez family will be home owners, something they could not even consider before the opportunity with Habitat presented itself.

They are a close, boisterous, happy family. Fernando laughingly complains about his "crazy family" keeping him from studying, but his pride in them is evident. Luz-Elva considers herself lucky to have such "very nice, sweet sons." The two oldest, Fernando, Jr. and Juan-Carlos are studying hard and getting good grades in school in Mexico, but keep in close contact with the family. The younger sons, Alberto, Daniel, Eduardo, and Saul, aged 11 to 22, enjoy their studies in Seattle. They like to spend time as a family, so much that one son once earnestly told his mother that if getting married meant he'd have to move away from them, he'd rather just stay single. Still, independence is highly valued, and Fernando and Luz-Elva have worked hard to give their sons the support and preparation they'll need to move out into the world when it's time.

Fernando Nu'ñez came to Seattle from Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico as a six month experiment ten years ago. Life was hard there and despite a good job as a health educator, he found that no matter how long or how hard he worked, he just got further and further behind. Life in the US was difficult and challenging at first, but things gradually got better and Luz-Elva and the children were finally able to join him. After years of back-breaking labor, he now has a job he enjoys with Unico, keeping One Union Square polished and presentable. He's also taking a theology class at Seattle University at night in order to learn more about other religions. "We get so involved in feeding and caring for our bodies," he says, "that we neglect our souls. Our souls need attention, too." He'd like to continue with his theology studies, and will take more classes as the time and expense allow.

Luz-Elva Tovar stays at home, where she can give her children the love and attention they need. She loves children and wishes she could have more, but contents herself volunteering at three Seattle schools. She's involved in the Child to Child Program at the Einstein School, a special program to support Hispanic children. It's good work, she says, and makes her feel complete. She likes being able to give something back to a community that's given her so much. Fernando says Luz-Elva's gift is her ability to give "good quality" love. She never stops talking and laughing, and has a wonderful sense of humor. Neighbors come to her often for advice and guidance. "She has some crazy solutions, " Fernando laughs, "but she always has an answer."

Working together on the construction of the Walker town homes, the Nu'ñez family has forged strong friendships with the other Habitat families who will be their neighbors. They're looking forward to being a part of that diverse and lively community, which happens to be only a couple of blocks from where they're already living. The hope is that they'll be in the house by Christmas, "a wonderful Christmas present," and they're eager to begin life in their "big, new, excellently constructed" home. A priest will bless the house in a special ceremony before they move in, a recognition that all of the good things in their life come from God.

"Habitat for Humanity is a great program," Fernando says enthusiastically, "I hope it grows to an enormous size to give homes to all the people who need them. We're happy to have these wonderful friends who give their time out of love for others and we pray that all the plans they have will result in reality. Thank you very much to all of the people, institutions, churches and banks who collaborate with materials and labor. Sometimes when we tell our friends about this, they can't believe it. They can't believe it's because of all of these people with so much love to give."