Building Affordable Homes and Strong Futures: A Journey from Sudan to Success with the help of AHC Inc.

Eleven years ago, the Abdulmoniem family moved to Arlington from Sudan. Abdul, 10, Gigi, 7, and Mahmood, 5, did not speak any English and were bewildered by the completely different culture.

With parents who were “always working,” the children found AHC’s community center at Harvey Hall Apartments to be a life line. Thanks to the support of the after-school program, Abdul moved quickly out of the classes for second language learners and into classes for academic achievers. “Joy (AHC’s Senior Resident Services Manager) and my tutors were like a second family and supported me every step,” says Abdul.

The consistent encouragement paid off. Abdul graduated from Washington-Lee High School with a full International Baccalaureate (IB) degree and 13 college credits. “I had tutors who were very involved and gave me a lot of their time,” explains Abdul. “They helped go over applications for schools and scholarships. It was also their goal to see me succeed.” Abdul graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in May.

Gigi, a rising sophomore at Mary Washington University, also believes AHC’s Resident Services program can make a big difference to students’ success. “If children come to AHC’s programs, they’ll receive the motivation and help they need to succeed,” says Gigi. “There’s too much support here for you to go home discouraged.”

Last spring, Gigi had a chance to pass along some inspiration of her own when she toured a group of AHC teens around Mary Washington University. “I was happy to tell them college is a great experience.” Her younger brother, Mahmood, was already convinced. He started school at Mary Washington this fall.

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