Tangerang, August 27, 2024—Habitat for Humanity Indonesia and AXA Financial Indonesia (AFI), through their AFI Berbagi initiative, organized the Closing Ceremony of the Financial Literacy Program & Waste Management Training and the Kick-Off of the Clean Water Facilities Renovation for low-income families in Kedung Dalem Village, Mauk District, Tangerang Regency on Tuesday (27/8).

From May to August 2024, a series of successful programs were conducted, providing financial literacy and household waste management training to 120 adults, health check-ups for 67 elderly individuals, and financial literacy training and health check-ups for 137 children. These achievements are a testament to the potential for positive change in Kedung Dalem Village.

The primary financial literacy training for housewives covered distinguishing between wants and needs, household financial management, handling online loans, and introducing them to official financial lending institutions.

Additionally, financial literacy training for elementary school children included understanding money and the importance of saving, aiming to help them make wiser spending decisions and build the habit of saving from an early age.

AFI Berbagi’s practical actions continued by empowering the community with the knowledge and skills to manage household waste. The literacy training included initial processes such as storage, collection, sorting, reuse, and final waste processing, all designed to be easily implemented by the community.

AFI Berbagi also launched a program to revitalize clean water facilities in the Kedung Dalem Village residential area as part of AXA Financial Indonesia’s ongoing CSR efforts. This step was taken to enhance the community’s access to clean water, essential for improving the quality of life.

“AXA Financial Indonesia is committed to making a tangible and sustainable contribution to empowering communities through AFI Berbagi. AFI strives to support good health and well-being, quality education, and clean water and sanitation access. We engage in community capacity building, health check-ups, and improvements to public sanitation as part of our involvement to provide financial literacy, environmental awareness, and improve the health of the surrounding community, ensuring a better life,” said Niharika Yadav, President Director of AXA Financial Indonesia, during the event at SDN Kedung Dalem 02, Mauk, Tangerang Regency.

Susanto, National Director of Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, added, “We welcome the collaboration with AXA Financial Indonesia through the financial literacy & waste management program, education and health check-ups, as well as the clean water facilities revitalization program in Kedung Dalem Village. This initiative improves the quality of life and daily well-being of the community and provides better access to sanitation facilities, which will positively impact their lives and health. Through this joint effort, we hope this program will support inclusive and sustainable development, enhancing the quality of life for residents.”

Through strategic collaboration and sustainable programs, Habitat for Humanity Indonesia and AFI believe they can continue improving the community’s quality of life, health, and well-being, particularly in Kedung Dalem Village. This initiative is a tangible step in strengthening support for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals while opening up opportunities for similar partnerships.

In 2016, Mrs. Khusnul began her journey as a reseller in the women’s fashion industry. She aimed to increase her family’s income and support her factory laborer husband.

Initially, Mrs. Khusnul sold women’s clothing straightforwardly, relying solely on word of mouth. However, in 2019, with great courage, she decided to open her small boutique.

At that time, the boutique was quite modest. Mrs. Khusnul utilized a small, makeshift space with walls full of holes and faded paint. The dim atmosphere made it difficult to attract customers, but she remained optimistic that her business would eventually thrive.

Amid the challenges of 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic struck, and Mrs. Khusnul’s income plummeted. However, she found hope in the support of Habitat for Humanity Indonesia. With the help of donors and volunteers, Habitat Indonesia assisted in renovating her boutique, transforming it into a more presentable and appealing space.

They revitalized her once-drab boutique into a modern and inviting shop. The walls were repaired, glass doors were installed, and the essential business fixtures, such as cabinets and display cases, were provided.

Additionally, Mrs. Khusnul received valuable entrepreneurship training, including financial management and product marketing, which significantly contributed to the growth of her business.

“I can’t express my gratitude enough to the Habitat donors who helped me reach where I am today,” she said with deep appreciation during an interview at her newly renovated boutique.

Today, Mrs. Khusnul’s boutique has evolved from selling just women’s clothing to offering abayas and children’s wear. Her income has grown to two million rupiahs per month, and her boutique has expanded into online sales, marking a significant milestone in her entrepreneurial journey.

With renewed enthusiasm, Mrs. Khusnul is determined to continue expanding her business. She is now focused on saving to develop her business further and plans to open a new boutique.

Living in Margamulya Village, Tangerang Regency, Cupyadi (38) earns a living by selling green mussels as a street vendor. Each day, he only manages to bring home about 30,000 rupiah, which is barely enough to cover his family’s daily needs.

His wife, Kartini (34), works as a farm laborer, trying to supplement their income to cover their children’s school expenses.

However, their struggles are not only due to financial hardship. The house they lived in was dilapidated and on the verge of collapsing. The rotting bamboo frame, the bamboo walls with holes, and the leaking roof during rain testified to their ongoing struggle.

“My house was no longer livable; my two children had difficulty studying at home,” Cupyadi said sadly.

This situation changed when Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, donors, and volunteers, came to help rebuild a decent home for Cupyadi’s family.

Now, Cupyadi and his family are experiencing a remarkable change. With a new, safe, and comfortable home, Cupyadi works harder, waking up every day at five in the morning.

His earnings have increased to 150,000 rupiah per day. Cupyadi can now save money for his children’s education without worrying about home repair costs. 

“Alhamdulillah, this decent home makes me happy. My eldest child has achieved top honors after being able to study safely and comfortably in his new room,” Cupyadi expressed with heartfelt gratitude. 

In collaboration with IES Jakarta, Habitat for Humanity once again held a volunteering event titled “Building Hearts” for the fourth time on June 22 in Margamulya Village, Mauk Subdistrict, Tangerang Regency.

Over 25 volunteers painted four new decent homes for low-income families as part of the effort to complete the construction of 20 decent homes that began in November 2023.

This activity not only reflects IES Jakarta’s strong commitment to improving the quality of life for communities but also serves as an inspiration to all involved.

The spirit of mutual cooperation demonstrated by the volunteers is hoped to have a broader impact, not only by providing decent housing but also by fostering unity in the pursuit of sustainable social efforts.

Through “Building Hearts,” it is hoped that partner families will experience warmth and renewed hope and be inspired to contribute to creating positive change for the larger community.

Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, in collaboration with PT Prudential Life Assurance, held the PRUVolunteers & MSMEs Bazaar in Gunung Putri Village, Gunung Putri Subdistrict, Bogor Regency on Saturday, June 29.

The event featured various activities, including coloring competitions for early childhood education (PAUD & TK), volunteering by PRUVolunteers who painted facilities at PAUD schools, Posyandu, waste banks, and an MSMEs bazaar. Additionally, a healthy exercise session attended by 200 participants added to the festivities.

The event also served as a platform for 50 MSME entrepreneurs to directly apply the knowledge gained from the entrepreneurship and vocational training they received through the Desa Maju Prudential (DMP) program in Bogor.

One of the bazaar participants, Mrs. Nani, shared her experience: “This is my first time participating in a bazaar. Alhamdulillah, the knowledge I gained during the training about finance and marketing was put into practice here.” 

The DMP Bogor program in Gunung Putri includes not only entrepreneurship training for MSME entrepreneurs but also the renovation of 10 MSME units, the renovation of 10 decent houses, the construction of 15 new decent homes, and the provision of Posyandu equipment and Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (PHBS) training, among other initiatives.

Mrs. Indrijati Rahayoe, Chief Human Resources & Community Investment Officer of Prudential Syariah, stated, “In line with Prudential’s objectives in this village, we aim to implement our initiative, Community Investment.” She added, “We believe that by investing in the community, we are helping to improve their economic living standards and supporting them to achieve a better and more prosperous life.”

The DMP Bogor program has significantly contributed to improving village residents’ well-being and quality of life. We hope this initiative continues and sets an example for similar efforts in the future, bringing sustainable positive changes to the community.

This year, the National Director of Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, Mr. Susanto, served as the head of the judging panel at the Bisnis Indonesia Corporate Social Responsibility Award (BISRA) 2024, themed “Paving The Way to Sustainable Business: Innovation in CSR.” 

BISRA 2024, held on Thursday, June 27, 2024, recognized companies strongly committed to implementing CSR programs, reflecting corporate responsibility towards improving community resources and the environment. 

This 4th edition of BISRA honored 46 winning companies, divided into three award categories: platinum, gold, and silver. 

In his speech, Susanto emphasized that sustainability is a crucial factor in assessing these CSR awards. Sustainable CSR programs not only focus on short-term solutions but also ensure that the community feels their benefits over the long term.

Additionally, it is hoped that the winning companies will serve as role models for others in effectively managing CSR initiatives that are impactful and sustainable, ultimately supporting the accelerated achievement of global SDGs by 2030.

Habitat for Humanity Indonesia has once again organized the Habitat Charity Golf Tournament (HCGT) in 2024. HCGT consistently upholds sustainability values as a fundamental principle to promote equitable Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Indonesia. Held at Damai Indah Golf PIK, North Jakarta, on June 20, 2024, this year’s event themed “Swing for Homes” serves as a platform for expanding networks and establishing relationships with golfers, professionals, and corporations who share the same mission of realizing equitable housing for low-income families.

Owning a decent home still feels like a dream for millions of families in Indonesia. According to data from BPS in 2023, 36.85% of households in Indonesia live in inadequate housing. This situation is exacerbated by the continuously growing population and households, while the cost of land and home construction remains very high.

Since its inception in 2010, the Habitat Charity Golf Tournament has involved approximately 920 golfers, both professional and amateur, competing to raise funds to build 265 decent homes across various regions in Indonesia.

At the 2024 Habitat Charity Golf Tournament, Habitat Indonesia is supported by 109 golfers from various levels, both amateur and professional, competing while donating through several tournament packages. In this tournament, players also have the opportunity to play alongside Indonesian champions Danny Masrin and Elki Kow throughout the 18 holes.

Susanto, National Director of Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, stated, “The Habitat Charity Golf Tournament is one of the important annual events supporting Habitat’s mission, which is to create a world where everyone has the right to a decent home. We hope that through this fun and healthy sport, we can raise awareness among all parties about the needs of low-income communities that still require support in improving their quality of life through decent housing.”

The 2024 Habitat Charity Golf Tournament successfully raised substantial donations for the construction of 20 new homes for families in need. “The donations collected from this tournament will be used to build decent homes in three Habitat Indonesia clusters, namely Mauk-Tangerang, Babakan Madang-Bogor, and Kulon Progo-Yogyakarta. Habitat Indonesia has built thousands of homes for low-income communities there,” Susanto revealed.

Robert Deddy Purwanto emerged as the main winner in the Best Gross Overall category, while the main Best Net Overall category was won by William Kusuma. It is hoped that the Habitat Charity Golf Tournament can continue to be held annually to help provide decent housing for families in need in Indonesia.

That evening, Junaedi returned home on his motorcycle to his house in the Mauk District, Tangerang Regency, after a day’s work. His homecoming was very different from twelve years ago, when he and his wife, Melianti, lived in a cramped space with her parents. They realized that the house was not an ideal place to start their new family life. 

Habitat for Humanity Indonesia came to provide Junaedi and Melianti with a decent home. “It felt like a gift from God,” Junaedi said upon entering their newly completed two-bedroom house. This home wasn’t just a structure; it was the foundation of their community roots. Their children, now aged 12 and 9, grew up in a safe environment. 

Junaedi’s life changed after obtaining a decent home. He realized how important it is for others to have adequate housing. Therefore, since 2013, he has worked as a construction assistant at Habitat for Humanity Indonesia. “I hope Habitat continues to help families achieve their dream of having a safe haven,” said Junaedi. 

Habitat for Humanity Indonesia is committed to ensuring that every family in Indonesia has a decent place to live. One concrete step taken is through the Campus Chapter program, which combines advocacy, fundraising, and the construction of decent housing in collaboration with schools and educational institutions.

On May 27-28, 2024, Habitat Indonesia conducted the Campus Chapter program at several schools in Jakarta. This activity was designed to provide significant benefits for young advocates in addressing the challenge of inadequate housing in Indonesia. Youth are key agents of change, and through collaboration, this mission can be strengthened to support the creation of decent housing for low-income families in Indonesia.

During the two days, participants were invited to discuss and learn together about Habitat for Humanity and the work being done. Through participation in this program, youth communities, schools, and educational institutions can contribute to the noble effort of providing decent housing for the underprivileged.

More than 150 MedcoEnergi volunteers built 15 decent homes units for low-income families in Marga Mulya Village, Mauk District, Tangerang Regency (8/6). This activity is part of a collaboration between MedcoEnergi, Medco Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, and is part of the celebrations marking MedcoEnergi’s 44th anniversary. 

The moment was made even more special with the presence of Mrs. Yani Panigoro, Commissioner of MedcoEnergi, who also participated in building the house walls. This volunteering effort marks the third time MedcoEnergi has undertaken such actions. Following the successful construction of 11 homes for low-income families in 2023, MedcoEnergi demonstrates its commitment once again by building 29 livable housing units in 2024. 

The spirit of teamwork exhibited by MedcoEnergi volunteers is expected to enhance the quality of life for the families receiving support. Beyond simply providing housing, this initiative is hoped to inspire other companies to join in sustainable social efforts.