'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition': Barobi girls who lived in basement out of suitcases now have their own rooms
This week's episode of 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' was an emotional rollercoaster. The Barobi family fled violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with the hope of building a new future in Utah, USA.
They lived in a cramped space and in order to save space, they kept their clothes packed in suitcases at all times. But all that changed when the design team — Darren Keefe, Carrie Locklyn, Breegan Jane — and celebrity guest Tamara Day of 'Bargain Mansions' joined forces to create an energy-efficient, 3000 square feet, 6-bedroom modern tropical home.
Ashraf Kambare, 20, grew up in Congo helping his dad farm at their lands. However, the limited space at their current home in Utah doesn't allow him to do that. Darren was extremely moved by his story and decided to give him a garden. The Barobis had only one picture of their family with them when they fled from Congo and that stood right at the center of their living area. It was framed in white.
Before the makeover, the Barobis were living in a 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom basement apartment which meant that there was a dearth of space but they were still managing. The girls — Azida, 17; Habiba, 15; Zulufa, 14, — were sharing space in one apartment and upon seeing it, Carrie thought she could use her design sensibility to built them a house that they can call home.
Carrie said, "As a mother and a certified organizer, it's extremely important for me to give them a space that meets their own needs. Because they are all different. By keeping their clothes packed away in suitcases there's a feeling that everything is temporary and we really need to change that mindset." Carrie later worked with the volunteers to conceptualize how they were going to construct and design their rooms. While at it, she mentioned how each of the Barobi girls has a great individual personality and therefore everyone will be given a room in keeping with their taste.
Carrie said how Azida is a quintessential, glamorous American girl and therefore, her room requires a lot of colors. Tamara pitched it that it calls for bold, colorful wallpaper. The two also spoke at length about how the Barobis didn't have bathrooms back in Congo and even in their current house, five people are sharing one bathroom.
While Carrie got down to ensuring that the girls get the best rooms, Breegan and Tamara worked on the kitchen tiles.
And just like that in five days, the Barobis had a new home that they were more than glad to live in. As the bus moved, you could see raw emotion. They jumped, hugged each other, went on their knees and covered their faces to cry. It was truly an emotional moment for everyone on and off the show.
Catch all new episodes of 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' on HGTV every Sunday, 8/9 c.