YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — A mother and her daughter who moved from Africa to central Pennsylvania years ago will soon be moving into their new house, thanks to help from Habitat for Humanity.

Nsenga Boka and her daughter, Elisee Okenge moved to York from the Democratic Republic of Congo more than a decade ago when Okenge was just six-years-old, York Habitat for Humanity said in a news release.

Boka was able to get her U.S. Citizenship and her daughter citizenship as a minor while she was working nights and dealing with health challenges.

On Wednesday, Boka and Okenge, along with other supporting community members, broke ground to build a home for them on South Pine Street.

Boka said the plan is that her daughter will then be gifted the house someday.

“My house, it will be my daughter’s house,” Boka said. “That is one of the gifts I’ll give to my daughter one day.”

To get the home, Boka had to complete 250 volunteer hours, by working on the construction site, taking financial literacy classes and monthly budgeting.

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Okenge, who said she is very proud of her mom, now attends school at York College of Pennsylvania’s Nursing program.

“I’m very proud of her,” Okenge said. She’s been through a lot. Having to see it all was hard, but I’m just proud of the person that she’s becoming and the person that she’s helping me grow into.”

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