Habitat values people who are of varied backgrounds, cultures, races and genders with no-discrimination.  It was a key aspect that triggered Habitat for Humanity Indonesia to help Yogyakarta earthquake victims that had became diffabled (differently able, or it means different ability, to refer people with physical disability rather than disabled) because of the disaster.

Wiwiek Marmiyati, 33 years old woman from Bantul, DIY was one of the earthquake victims. When the earth quake occurred, she was still in the house with her aunt. Unfortunately, while Wiwiek survived, her aunt passed away.

Wiwiek lives with paraplegia, and had to accustom herself to do her activities using the wheelchair. “I spent several weeks at PRY (Yakkum Rehabilitation Centre) before I returned home. When I heard that I was given house by Habitat, I felt really happy because they said the house will be accessible for wheelchairs and diffabled people.”

Wiwiek had to adjust her new life after the earthquake and her husband helped everything for her, “I used to be independent, so I didn’t feel comfortable when I had to depend too much on someone else. By having the house, I could start doing my activities on my own.” Since the house was complete, Wiwiek could do daily activities such as take a bath, sweep the floor and cook by herself. 

Prior to the earthquake, Wiwik worked as a seamstress in town, “I really love sewing, now I started to receive small sewing orders. I am also thinking about opening a small grocery store so I can wait for the costumer while I’m sewing.”