Three brothers with three wives, secure three mortgages in three months. These young men give new meaning to the term, triple play. The opportunity to own your own house is a distant dream for most political refugees, but first–time ownership brought it all home in the community of Huron for these three comrades.
“Growing up in a refugee camp in a country that was constantly at war, I was worried for my family, but I always knew I had my brothers and we looked out for each other,” stated Sunday Wah. Sunday is the eldest son of his six siblings and he continues to keep his family close even after reaching the safety of American soil. Upon leaving Burma and the Mae La Oon Refugee Camp in 2010, which had been home to Sunday’s family for over 11 years, they were directed to the state of Idaho. They soon made their way to South Dakota to secure employment at Dakota Provisions in Huron. These gentlemen all agree, they were born brothers, but have chosen to be best friends.
“We came to the United States together, moved to Huron together, work at the turkey plant together, bought our pickup trucks together, so I guess that means we should buy our houses together,” claimed Sunday Wah. Since arriving in Huron, each of the brothers has also gotten married. Sunday Wah (27) and his wife, Say Bla Paw, have one child, but are planning for more. Htoo Say Wah (25) is wed to Main Lay Kay and they hope to start a family soon. The youngest brother, Has Eh Wah (22) is a Huron High School graduate. He and his wife, Lay Lay, have the most recent addition to the family with a new baby boy. Technically the brothers made the purchase of a home prior to buying their own. The boys’ parents live in a house their sons acquired for them. “We wanted our mom and dad to have a home first, so we pooled our money and went to the Credit Union. Later we went back to Dakotaland and got a mortgage for four more houses including one for my sister,” explained Htoo Say Wah. So what’s the best part about home ownership? The boys will happily declare how much they enjoy hosting friends and family at their homes. “It’s one of the best parts about owning my own house,” shared Hsa Eh Wah. After closing on their respective properties and had officially moved in, one of the first items of business was to extend invites to their new neighbors for a house warming party. As the youngest of the brothers, Hsa Eh Wah was born in the refugee camp and he explained that after all this time, knowing his family is safe, having a good job, owning his own home and raising his own children, he now understands what home feels like.
