April 19, 2001

By Derrick Meyer, News@Cisco

Rosario Bowab's dream has come true: in June, 2001, she and her two daughters will move into a new home in a safe neighborhood. Their good fortune is the direct result of an ongoing partnership between Cisco Systems, Inc. and Habitat for Humanity International.

Habitat for Humanity International is dedicated to building simple and affordable houses with those in greatest need of adequate housing. Construction is sponsored by corporations and other donors, built by volunteers, and sold to the homeowner at no interest. The Bowab house is just one part of Cisco's commitment to Habitat for Humanity for $3 million over three years for the construction of homes around the world, including Africa, Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Asia Pacific, and the U.S.

A Native of Bolivia, Rosario came to the United States in 1982 knowing no English. She settled in Boston as a library assistant and got married. Within the next few years, Rosario found herself a single mother with two young children, Sarah and Jocelyn.

Website: Cisco's Corporate Philanthropy Programs Website: Habitat for Humanity

The family moved to the Bay Area in 1989 when Rosario promptly took her education into her own hands. Enrolling herself at Canada College, Rosario studied Microsoft's office products in an effort to join a competitive workforce. She landed a position at Pratt and Whitney as a Data Collector.

Rosario and her two daughters settled in Redwood City, CA. As skyrocketing rent progressively drained Rosario's modest income, a friend told her about Habitat for Humanity. In 1998, Rosario formally applied for low-income affordable housing through the Habitat for Humanity program.

Rosario's application was accepted and she won the Habitat for Humanity lottery. "This has been a lifelong dream of mine," said Rosario. "A chance to have extra money in my pocket, a safe neighborhood for my daughters to live in, and being able to move into a house of my own."

Sarah, age 17, is relieved to be able to move into the HFH home. "I don't feel safe in my current neighborhood," she said. "The neighbors are loud, it's dirty and I can't study. When I go off to college later this year I can feel a little better knowing my mom and sister are going to be alright."

Jocelyn, age 15, is also grateful to be able to move out of her neighborhood. "Now we will have a chance to save some money and be able to afford a college education," she said. "This is one thing less to worry about and makes it easier for me to concentrate on my school work."

Mrs. Bowab, with her stretched income, is sponsoring a child in her native land of Bolivia. "I promised myself that if I got to the point where I was able to provide for myself and my two daughters, I would take care of another child in need," she said.

Cisco's partnership with Habitat for Humanity is just one example of its Global Reach Grant Program through which Cisco makes investments in programs throughout the world, utilizing technology and volunteerism to make a "hands-on" difference in people's lives.