Stories of Change
“It’s completely different now… I no longer have to bow my head when entering the house because of how small it used to be. This home is more than decent—it’s truly beautiful. It’s an incredible blessing for my family.”
That’s what Mr. Dewy Loek shared with eyes full of gratitude when the Habitat for Humanity Indonesia team visited his new, sturdy home in East Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara. His words came from a heart long filled with silent hope. That evening, the Habitat team wasn’t just talking about construction—they were listening to a life slowly changing.
For Mr. Dewy, this house is the answer to years of heartfelt prayers. Before, he lived with his wife and two children in a simple square-shaped structure with a dirt floor, lontar-leaf walls, and a thatched roof. There were no partitions, no ventilation, and no bathroom. Everything happened in one cramped space they all had to share.
During the dry season, the air inside became stifling and unbearably hot. With no windows for airflow, his children often woke up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat. But in the rainy season, conditions were even worse—leaking roofs let rainwater pour in, turning the floor into mud. Many nights, they had to move the children off their soaked mattresses.
That worry was a daily companion. Mr. Dewy knew this wasn’t a safe place to raise his children. But as a farm laborer and fisherman, he had few options. The little savings he managed to gather would always be spent on temporary repairs. In the midst of such limitations, all he could do was keep praying—day after day.
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Then, finally, a helping hand reached out. With support from Habitat for Humanity Indonesia and PT Arthawenasakti Gemilang, a new home was built—a home with two bedrooms, a proper toilet, and a strong structure. Bright yellow walls now replaced the old palm leaves and thatch that once served as their only shelter.
“I still can’t believe it,” Mr. Dewy said. “This house is so comfortable. The children are happy—they each have their own room now. No more stories of wet beds or sweating through the night.”
During the building process, Mr. Dewy was far from idle. He helped the builders, carried materials, and prepared meals as best he could. He did it all with full spirit, even though the family’s economic situation remained tight. For him, this house was a gift he wanted to help build with his own hands—for his wife and children.
Now, the home stands firm, bringing about many changes. The children can play and study without fear. His wife, Nuh Loek, feels much more at peace. They now have a clean indoor toilet—a huge leap from the past, when they had to relieve themselves outdoors with no privacy. The house has brought them health, comfort, and a sense of security they had never known.
More than that, for the first time, Mr. Dewy is able to save money. What was once spent on constant repairs can now go toward his children’s education. He looks to the future with new confidence and a heart no longer weighed down by anxiety.
For the Dewy family, this house is more than just a building. It’s the beginning of a better life—a place where children can grow, learn, and dream. A place where a husband and wife can rest without fearing a collapsing roof or a flooded floor.
And to this day, Mr. Dewy continues to pray. But now, those prayers are no longer just for himself. He prays for his brothers and sisters who still live under fragile roofs and behind cracked walls. He prays that they too may be blessed with a decent home—a place where hope can safely anchor, just like the one he now has.
Mr. Dewy’s story is just one among many unheard voices from families living in substandard housing. Voices that begin to be heard when someone cares—when someone chooses to act. Many more families are still waiting for that same hope: a safe, healthy, and decent home to grow with their loved ones.
If this story touches you, you too can be part of this journey of change. Learn how at habitatindonesia.org/donate, because a decent home should not be a dream—it should be a reality for every family.
(kh/av)
