EN-ID Blog
That afternoon, Siti Nurlaelah (44) was busy watering ornamental plants in the yard of her home in Marga Mulya Village, Mauk Subdistrict, Tangerang Regency, Banten.
Unlike a month ago, her yard is now adorned with blooming flowers, as if celebrating the arrival of her new home. A sturdy, comfortable house with a roof that wouldn’t leak during a storm—far removed from the sorrow she had endured before.
For years, Siti and her family struggled in a home they painstakingly built from their savings. However, the structure was far from stable. One night, during a heavy rainstorm, the floor caved in, causing the walls of their living room to collapse. “Luckily, my children weren’t hurt—just the furniture was damaged,” Siti recalled.
The dream of having a decent home felt out of reach, as Siti only worked as a day laborer, earning 50,000 rupiahs on days she could find work. Her husband, Ahmad Yani (39), a security guard, earned no more than 3 million rupiahs per month.
“I often had to borrow from the local shop just to buy rice because my husband’s paycheck went straight to patching leaks and mending cracks,” said Siti.
Yet, even amid these hardships, Siti’s prayers were answered. Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, along with generous donors, came bearing a ray of hope. A solid house now stands where their old home once brought despair—built with love and support from caring volunteers.
Tears streamed down Siti’s face as her new home was completed. “I never imagined we’d have a house like this,” she said. During the construction process, she marveled at the quality of the building materials delivered things she had only dreamed of before.
On the first night in their new home, Siti could not sleep, overwhelmed by gratitude. Her youngest son hugged her tightly, saying, “Mom, our house is so beautiful—it’s like a palace.”
Life for Siti and her family has transformed. The money once spent on constant repairs can now go into savings, and she no longer must borrow just to buy necessities.
In the living room, Siti and Ahmad are planning to open a small shop, hopeful that their future will flourish, much like the thriving plants in their new home. For Siti, this house is more than just a shelter. It is a living dream—a place where hope and happiness for her family blossom.
You can be a part of creating this kind of transformation for families like Siti Nurlaelah’s. Through your support, more homes can be built, providing safe and decent housing for families in need.
Visit www.habitatindonesia.org/donate to donate and join our mission to create better lives.
(kh/av)
