LEWISTON – A new house at 144 Golder Road in Lewiston was called “a monument to cooperation” Saturday afternoon by Sunni Jenkins, president of Androscoggin Habitat for Humanity, as she and volunteers joined civic leaders in a dedication ceremony.

“It’s a very happy day,” said new owner Ibrahim A. Ghaleb as he and his wife, Nimo O. Jama, greeted several dozen visitors to their future home. Jenkins recalled the first time volunteers met the new owners on the vacant lot last May. She described how efforts of nearly 100 volunteers during the past few months led to Saturday’s program at the 14th Androscoggin Habitat for Humanity house to be built in Lewiston since 1989.

This latest project happened because of “a group of people whose lives are connected only by a desire to serve their fellow man,” Jenkins said. Ibrahim, Nimo, and their four children hope to move into the four-bedroom house within the next few weeks, after interior painting, final wiring and kitchen appliance installations are done.

The house includes several special features to accommodate the needs of one son, a 4-year-old with a severe medical condition who is confined to a wheelchair. In addition to a ramp to the entry door, there is a unique kitchen design that will safeguard the youngster. A half-wall and waist-high door separate the kitchen from the living room space so anyone working in the kitchen can keep an eye on the child.

Ghaleb is working toward becoming an electrician, and his wife is studying nursing. A 13-year-old daughter has aspirations to become a pediatrician. The other two sons are infants. Jenkins said the family came to the United States from Africa several years ago and lived for a short time in the Midwest.

The owners were chosen by a selection committee from more than 60 applicants. Habitat for Humanity owners are required to put in at least 300 hours of “sweat equity” during construction in return for an interest-free mortgage on the property.

Allen Sterling, building committee chair, kidded Ibrahim about his fear of heights, but credited him with overcoming it and putting in a lot of valuable time on the roof.

David Footer, a volunteer who worked on the chimney, called Ibrahim “one hard worker.”

Dan Lagrange of Auburn, chairperson of volunteers for Androscoggin Habitat for Humanity, said the list of workers included members of the Auburn-Lewiston Rotary Breakfast Club and students from Bates College and Lisbon High School, as well as students of the Lewiston Regional Technical Center. Tom Wrobel of Lisbon Falls was site supervisor for the project. A retired U.S. Navy Master Chief, he donated his time on this house for work that is normally a paid position.

A group known as the Church Mice Quilters presented handmade quilts to each of the six family members.

“We have done this for the past seven Habitat houses,” said Linda Law of Auburn, who is one of several friends who meet to make quilts at Thomas Memorial Baptist Church in Lewiston. Law explained that they try to learn something about each family member. They had to make a quilt without bright colors for the child with medical challenges in this family, she said.

In his remarks to the group at the dedication, Lewiston Mayor Laurent F. Gilbert Sr. said, “I sure hope this house makes this family’s journey much brighter. Welcome home.” A construction scrapbook and photo album was presented by members of Minot Grange.

Tara Allain, who is Miss Maine 2007 and a student at Colby College, said she has supported Habitat for Humanity projects in Costa Rica and Mexico, as well as Maine. “I hope you and your family make very happy and wonderful memories in this house,” she said to the new homeowners.

Money to cover construction costs came from special projects including a golf tournament and donations from individuals and businesses in the community.