Nurhasanah, also known as Sanah, resides in Tanah Timbul, Muara Village, Cilamaya Wetan Subdistrict, Karawang regency, West Java Province. With five children (four sons and one daughter), Nurhasanah does not have a job and relies on financial support from her working child. Currently, she lives with her youngest child. Nurhasanah has been a resident of Tanah Timbul village for the past 28 years. She described her previous house as consisting of cubicles, which she had covered with papers to prevent mosquitoes from entering through the holes. However, that makeshift solution poses a fire hazard, as the use of mosquito coils once caused a fire that burned Nurhasanah’s pillow. Fortunately, she was able to extinguish the fire in time.

Prior to Habitat’s intervention, Nurhasanah’s house was fragile due to the poor structure and holes in Nurhasanah’s room. The room also had a window that couldn’t be closed, which made her feel unsafe as she worried about the security of her motorcycle parked inside the house. With the new house provided by Habitat, Nurhasanah expressed her gratitude. However, she still faced some discomfort as the house would become extremely hot during the day, which affected her plants. Nurhasanah planned to add a canopy in front of her house in the future to make it safer and more comfortable.

After receiving assistance from Habitat for Humanity and Samsung, Nurhasanah expressed her happiness and gratitude. She also gained a better understanding of the importance of maintaining cleanliness in her house and having access to clean water for the sake of her health.

“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Habitat for Humanity and PT. Samsung. Without their support, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to live in a comfortable house. I hope that Habitat for Humanity will continue to be blessed with more projects, so that more people like me can receive assistance. Habitat has not only made my home more comfortable, but has also provided me with new insights into living a healthy life,” expressed Nurhasanah with appreciation.

Written By: Deasa Aghnia Qonita

On May 15th, 2023, Jayakarta Junior Chamber International organized a Golf tournament at Damai Indah Golf and Country Club BSD. The event commenced with a lunch gathering, followed by all the golfers entering the tournament area to begin the shotgun start at 12:30 P.M.

During the event, Habitat for Humanity Indonesia was selected as the donation partner by JCI Jayakarta. Habitat Indonesia set up a booth at the location, where they sold merchandise including hats, polo shirts, hoodies, and other items to the participants of the JCI Jayakarta golf tournament. The booth served as an opportunity to raise awareness and garner support for Habitat for Humanity Indonesia’s humanitarian programs in Mauk-Tangerang, Babakan Madang-Bogor, Sentolo and Tuksono-Yogyakarta, as well as Wringinanom-East Java..

In addition to the proceeds from the booth, JCI Jayakarta made a generous donation of one house and one unit of a clean toilet. During the dinner ceremony, the winners of the golf tournament were announced. Habitat for Humanity Indonesia was granted the opportunity to present its ongoing humanitarian programs, with the presentation delivered by Mr. Susanto Samsudin, the National Director of Habitat Indonesia. The presentation resonated with many golfers, leading them to make spontaneous donations through bank transfers. By the end of the night, Habitat Indonesia had successfully gathered approximately Rp 87,300,000 in donations.

Junior Chamber International is an international youth organization who’s affiliated with the United Nations. JCI was built in St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America on October 13^th, 1915. JCI Members are mostly youth around 18-40 years old, alumni members for more than 2 million people and spread across more than 115 countries. KJCI now is already 108 years of age and has been in Indonesia for 52 years from 1971.

Habitat for Humanity Indonesia presents our greatest appreciation and gratitude to JCI Jayakarta and all the golfers who supported our mission to establish decent housing for the needs in  Indonesia.

On Monday, June 26th, 2023, Habitat for Humanity Indonesia organized a field trip event in the Mauk area of Tangerang, inviting colleagues from various Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Indonesia. The purpose of the event was to provide an opportunity for the NGOs to observe the progress of Habitat Indonesia’s project in Mauk and to assess the needs of the local community.

The event commenced with a briefing session led by Mr. Susanto Samsudin, the national director of Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, along with representatives from the Mauk Sub-district, local village representatives, and the public health center. Following the briefing, participants then proceeded to visit two villages in Mauk that were under the care of Habitat for Humanity Indonesia: Marga Mulya Village and Tanjung Anom Village. During the visits, participants had the opportunity to witness the positive impacts that Habitat Indonesia had brought to the lives of families in these villages.

During the field trip, participants had the opportunity to assess the needs of the visited areas. This evaluation aimed to identify potential areas for collaborative intervention and partnership among the organizations represented by the trip’s members. The hope was that these observations would generate prospects for cooperation, fostering aligned causes and joint efforts to improve the lives of the local community. By working together, the organizations could leverage their expertise, resources, and networks to create a more comprehensive and impactful response to the community’s needs.

Following the visitation, a discussion and reflection session took place between the participants and representatives of Habitat for Humanity Indonesia. During this session, each participant had the opportunity to share their perspectives and raise questions regarding the trip. It was observed that many participants agreed on the need for further intervention in various areas, including the environment, economy, children, and education. They recognized the potential for collaborative efforts between Habitat Indonesia and their respective organizations to address these challenges and make a positive impact in the community.

The representatives from Habitat for Humanity Indonesia highlighted the importance of participatory and adaptive strategic planning in addressing the arrangement of village areas, particularly in response to the climate crisis. Habitat aims to address the issues surrounding informal settlements and work towards sustainable and resilient solutions.

The event concluded with the presentation of plans and commitments for ongoing efforts based on the trip’s findings. The aim is to foster synergistic and continuous partnerships between governments, NGOs, private organizations, and civilians to enhance the quality and availability of decent housing and basic facilities, such as clean water and sanitation, for low-income families—Especially in Mauk, Tangerang. By working collaboratively, it is hoped that significant improvements can be made to meet the housing needs of vulnerable communities and enhance their overall well-being.

#sahabathabitat What motivates you to persevere in the face of challenging situations? Often, we come across circumstances that can feel overwhelming, especially when we need to overcome such conditions.

It is crucial for survivors of a disaster to endure the physical and psychological challenges posed by the conditions they face. Many of them have lost everything, including their wealth and the lives of their loved ones. However, a significant number of survivors choose to rise above their adversity.

Ms. Nuriyah, a resident of Benjot Village in Cugenang Sub-Regency, Cianjur, had experienced the devastating effects of the Cianjur earthquake. Having spent 32 years of her life in the village, she bore witness to the tragedy. Despite her strong outward appearance, a profound sorrow burdened her shoulders, an anguish that no one could alleviate in the wake of the earthquake.

“I can’t believe it. I used to see this in movies, but now when I’m the one who goes through it, it feels like I don’t know what to do.” Ms. Nuriyah exclaimed as tears streamed down her cheeks. The loss of her son and her home to the earthquake left her without a place to rest her head.

That day, Ms. Nuriyah and her son just woke up from their sleep. Since it was already noon, her child requested to have lunch together while she simultaneously prepared for work. When she was preparing the food, suddenly her child asked for a drink. “It’s like he wants to keep me safe from the place…” Ms. Nuriyah reflected. Yielding to her child’s request, she rose from her seat to fetch their drinks from the kitchen. Little did she know that it would be the last time she would see her child alive and well.

In a blink of an eye, Ms. Nuriyah felt her body violently thrown into the air. Paralyzed and unable to move, she remained unconscious for what felt like 15 minutes. Upon regaining consciousness, a thought crossed her mind, “Perhaps it’s the end of the world.” Yet, even in such dire circumstances, she found solace in the idea of having her child by her side, willing to accept any fate as long as they were together.

Despite her weakened state, Ms. Nuriyah summoned all her strength to free herself from the place where she was buried. Fortunately, a bar protected her head from the collapse, ultimately saving her life. With sheer determination, Ms. Nuriyah managed to escape from the ruins and she immediately got up to find her child’s whereabouts.

Ms. Nuriyah tirelessly spent an entire hour searched through the wreckage of her home. She asked for a help, but it was no use. Everyone’s busy saving the lives of themselves or their family. Everyone was preoccupied with saving themselves and their loved ones. Moreover, her house was situated far from the main road, rendering her shouts unheard by anyone passing by.

Just as Ms. Nuriyah was on the verge of giving up, a person arrived to assist her in searching for her child. Sadly, by the time they found the child, it was already too late—her little one had passed away. Overwhelmed by grief, Ms. Nuriyah lost consciousness upon witnessing the lifeless state of her child’s body. When she regained consciousness, she found herself unable to do anything but silently embrace her child’s body. “I fought so hard. I had to raise my child alone. So, when he passed away, it was unimaginable for me to bear. I was accustomed to caring for my sick mother and providing for my child without anyone’s help. I feel utterly lost. Following the earthquake, I fell ill for an entire month…”

Ms. Nuriyah refused to go back to Benjot village for a month due to her trauma. The voice of a car’s engine would remind her of the earthquake.  During her illness, her sister took care of her. When the time came for her to go back to the village to retrieve her remaining belongings, she found herself unable to hold back tears as she gazed upon the very spot where her child had tragically passed away.

After a month had passed and Ms. Nuriyah sensed some improvement in her condition, she returned to her house. “Coming back here,” she reflected, “felt like a rebirth. Like being a newborn again, starting from scratch. Alone, devoid of money or possessions.” Although she frequently experienced a sense of emptiness, she persevered, determined to take care for Api, her only remaining source of solace.

Api is a neighbor who Ms. Nuriyah has come to regard as her own family. Although Api also survived the earthquake, his body was paralysed due to being buried by the ruins. Ms. Nuriyah’s unwavering perseverance stems from her commitment to caring for Apih. He was the first person to lend her a helping hand during her struggles in raising her child. When she saw him lying in the intensive care unit (ICU), she thought to herself, “God, there is still someone who cared for me and my child.” Just as he had once supported her during her time of need, she felt compelled to reciprocate and provide care for him.”

In the midst of her busyness of taking care of Api, Ms. Nuriyah ventured into selling ice cream, placing her products in stalls throughout her village. She recognized that life must go on and understood the importance of fulfilling her daily needs for both her own well-being and that of Api. Determined to overcome her adversity, she firmly believed that Allah had allowed her to undergo this trial in order to bring about something positive in the end.

Ms. Nuriyah is determined to own a house again. While waiting for the moment to arrive, she spent most of her time to clean the ruins of her house. Hence, she was really happy when she receives aid in the form of Emergency Shelter Kits and Wash and Cleaning Kits from Hongkong-SAR, distributed by Habitat for Humanity Indonesia. These kits enable her to clean effectively and efficiently, further uplifting her spirits.

She eagerly anticipates the restoration of Benjot Village to its former state. Ms. Nuriyah hopes that every survivor of the Cianjur earthquake will receive equal aid and support, “It’s my service to others. Hopefully once I’m older, there will be someone who takes care of me like the way I take care of Apih.”

On Wednesday, May 31st, 2023, Habitat Indonesia and PijarTV held an online worship event that invited various Christian musicians from different generations. The event was particularly special as it was live-streamed online from 5 P.M. to 10 P.M. (GMT +7) through two streaming platforms: PijarTV’s YouTube account and Vidio.com. To enhance the atmosphere of the “Build through Worship” event, enthusiastic MCs guided the viewers through the worship and the live fundraising.

During breaks between worship sessions, the MCs hosted a conversation with Habitat Indonesia’s National Director, Mr. Susanto, and the Strategic Event Manager, Mr. Danny Nugroho. These two influential figures from Habitat Indonesia expressed their gratitude to the enthusiastic audience, who managed to contribute a total donation of more than 30 million rupiahs. The funds will be utilized to support Habitat Indonesia’s future endeavors in providing decent housing for those in need.

The event has demonstrated how community participation can support the improvement of people’s quality of life and bring about meaningful changes for low-income families. Hopefully, in the future, we will have similar events where individuals from diverse cultures and generations can come together to unite and contribute to our nation.

#Sahabathabitat, stay tuned for Habitat for Humanity Indonesia’s next exciting event!

The charity golf tournament, previously held in 2021, took place on May 16th, 2023, at Gunung Geulis Country Club.

More than 80 golfers participated in the event, including four members of the Indonesia Development Council, a group of entrepreneurs united in their mission to support the establishment of decent housing for the need with Habitat Indonesia. Mr. Hilmi Panigoto, Mr. Edwin Soeradjaya, Mr. Fofo Sariaatmadja, and Mr. Jimmy Masrin, along with other golfers, enjoyed the tournament while encouraging others to donate directly or through the auction event as a form of support for Habitat’s mission.

Since 2010, the Habitat Charity Golf Tournament has invited 840 golfers and successfully built 243 decent houses for over 1,000 low-income families in various areas of Indonesia.

Susanto, the National Director of Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, expressed how the Habitat Charity Golf tournament is one of the most anticipated events to support Habitat’s mission in Indonesia. He stated, ‘’Since its initiation in 2010, the first-ever Habitat Charity Golf event, we have witnessed the unwavering enthusiasm from golfers who find joy in this fun activity while serving a noble purpose. Our goal is to share kindness by providing decent housing for low-income families.’’

Fofo Sariaatmadja, a renowned Indonesian entrepreneur, enthusiastically participated in the tournament as a player. He shared his previous experiences, saying, ‘I have participated in the Habitat Charity Golf Tournament several times before. It is a highly positive and enjoyable activity, particularly when it serves the purpose of helping others.’ To further support the cause, he invited two of his overseas colleagues to join the tournament.

The Habitat Charity Golf Tournament 2023 has successfully raised a total donation exceeding 1 billion rupiah. The accumulated funds will be allocated to build 20 new houses and renovated 2 houses in four clusters managed by Habitat Indonesia: Sentul-Bogor, Kulon Progo-Yogyakarta, Wringinanom-Gresik, and Mauk-Tangerang, including Cianjur and Karawang.

Jimmy Masrin, a prominent member of the IDC and a well-known figure in the world of golf, expressed his delight in participating in the Habitat Charity Golf 2023. He shared, “I have been supporting Habitat for 20 years. Our partnership is filled with warmth and feels like a family. I hope that everything we do can make a difference and assist families in need.”

Teddy Jubilant emerged as the winner of the Best Gross Overall, receiving a medal and a variety of gifts. The tournament concluded with a communal dining experience with the golfers and an auction of several memorabilia. Two golf caps signed by Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau were successfully sold that night. Furthermore, a MODENA sponsored refrigerator, which was a masterpiece created by a disabled artist; Anfield Wibowo, was also managed to be auctioned by Mr. Suharsono. Thus, he became the highest bidder of the night. He expressed his happiness, saying, “I’m delighted to have been a part of this event. The outcome is fantastic. I am one of the tournament’s winners, and I hope that many people in Indonesia will receive assistance in obtaining decent housing. I had the opportunity to participate in a Habitat event in Sentul several years ago to build one house. I hope that Habitat will continue its mission to help more families in Indonesia.”

We hope that the Habitat Charity Golf Tournament will be held continuously to help providing decent housing for the families in need.

Home equals Campaign is a movement initiated by Habitat for Humanity Indonesia with the objective of addressing the informal settlements issues in Indonesia and improving access to decent housing for its residents.

Informal settlements refer to housing phenomena where settlements are constructed on illegal land, lack proper legal documentation, suffer from inadequate housing conditions, and have limited access to public facilities and infrastructures (Badan Pengembangan Infrastruktur Wilayah Kementerian PUPR, 2017). These settlements have emerged due to various factors, including the soaring numbers of Backlog in Indonesia. In 2022, the Backlog reached a staggering 12.71 million, underscoring the urgent need for effective housing solutions (Survei Sosial Ekonomi Nasional (Susenas), 2021).

The situation has caused various issues to the surrounding environment and community, especially for the viability of the informal settlements’ inhabitants. Often, they lack the access to basic rights such as clean water and decent sanitation facility, legal rights over their land, and are prone to the climate change effect.

One of the most crucial element to the right of owning a decent house is a secure tenure. The insecurity of tenure perpetuates a climate of uncertainty and fear, undermining the well-being and stability of those living in informal settlements. Numerous cases and studies provide evidence of the harmful consequences resulting from insecure tenure in these communities.

The absence of secure tenure also creates barriers for families seeking to access financing and capital mechanisms. The lack of formal recognition and legal ownership hampers their ability to provide collateral or demonstrate secure rights, making it difficult to obtain loans or access financial support.

As a response to the various informal settlement issues in Indonesia, Habitat for Humanity Indonesia invited professionals, policymakers, urban planners, architects, community leaders, and all individuals interested in addressing the challenges of informal settlements to attend the ‘Home for All’ seminar on June 14^th, 2023. The discussion aimed at finding inclusive and effective solutions to this pressing issue.

We encourage our #Habitatfriends to unite their voices, support ‘Home for All,’ and become agents of change for our nation. Your presence and advocacy are crucial. Let’s work together to create a better future for all. #HomeForAll

Stay tune to our future update on the seminar!

Clean water accessibility is an urgent necessity in Batam, especially for the low income society. The issue is caused by the expensive price of the water pipe installation to the government’s public utility, considering some areas of the main pipe are owned by private enterprises/individuals.

Thus, Habitat for Humanity Indonesia collaborated with Caterpillar Foundation through the affordable clean water access program to help 120 families in Tanjung Riau in 2020 to 2021, and from 2022 to 2023 to help 260 families (75 families in Sei Lekop, 86 Families in Sei Daun RW 07, and 99 families in Piayu Laut).

On Saturday, may 27^th, 2023, Caterpillar Foundation and Habitat Indonesia held a handover ceremony to the people of Sei Lekop, Sei Daun, and Piayu Laut to commemorate the 2022-2023 clean water access program.

It was estimated that there were 50 participants who attended the event. They were consisted of Batam’s influential individuals and the beneficiaries who were trusted to maintain and preserve the built clean water access and basic sanitation facility. The handover ceremony was carried out symbolically, from the representative of Habitat Indonesia to the local government and the beneficiaries’ representatives from Sei Lekop, Sei Daun dan Tanjung Piayu areas.

Sei Beduk’s Head of District as well as the Head of General Subdivision and Program Staffing and Finance of Sagulung Sub-District delivered a speech to express their gratitude over the commenced program that has greatly improved the lives of families from each area. They hope that the program will continue on to the other areas that are going through the same issue.

The contribution made by caterpillar foundation and habitat Indonesia has brought forth a significant impact to the people of Batam. The programs are expected to bring a continuous positive effect and improve the life quality of the community through the clean water access provision to the community in Sei Lekop, Sei Daun, and Tanjung Piayu Area.

“We use the tools to clean the house. From the outside, it looks like nothing happened to the house. However, the condition within is appalling,” uttered Susi Fitriani, one of the survivors of the Cianjur earthquake, when she was asked about the utility of ESK and WCK distributed by Habitat to her.

Susi is a housewife who lives in Kampung Cisalak, Sukajaya Village, Cugenang Sub-district, Cianjur. That day, the 34 years-old woman was in her mother’s house with her mother and her child, who was asleep. Meanwhile, her husband was at work, and her other child went to school. Susi was about to heat the water after she finished her prayer when, suddenly, she could feel a great earthquake.

Despite the difficulty, she immediately carried her sleeping child and ran outside. “It’s tough to get outside of the house. When my mother told me that Alasa was asleep on the bed, I took her with me quickly before running to turn the stove and water pump off.” Susi said.

Fortunately, Susi was unharmed. She could move quickly to save her child. It could be dangerous if she were a minute late. “We were unharmed. I quickly carried my child out of our house. Five minutes late, it could be way worse. I’m grateful that we survived.”

Susi grew up in Kampung Cisalak. But only then she encountered an earthquake that could make her house collapse. “My house collapsed. The bedroom, living room, roof, and kitchen were all gone,” Susi couldn’t save her belongings. However, to Susi, their life was more crucial. “Life is more important; my belongings are the least of my concern now.”

After escaping to the field, Susi and her family had to survive there for three months. She couldn’t go back to her house. She even had to move to various evacuation centers three times, “At the beginning of the earthquake, we couldn’t go home for three months. We lived in a communal shelter for one month, then moved to the one in the back of this center before moving to the other one. So, it has been our third time moving around.”

Habitat’s arrival helped to alleviate Susi’s burden. She received a package of ESK and WCK from Habitat and BCA Life. The tools were helpful in cleaning the ruins of her house. “We use the tools to clean the interior part of the house. From the outside, it looks like nothing happened to the house. However, the condition within is appalling.” Furthermore, she utilized the tools to carry old bricks outside.

“I’m happy, Alhamdulillah, for the donated tools. Thank you, Habitat and BCA Life, who have donated the tools to help me clean the ruins. Without Habitat, we wouldn’t know what to do.” She closed.

Despite her condition, Susi still holds on to her strength and keeps her head high. She always tries to be there for her children, who were traumatized by the earthquake. “My heart goes out to my children. I always told them to be strong and patient.” Susi understands that she’s not alone in this adversity; hope still exists in spite of the challenges.

Habitat for Humanity Indonesia celebrated its 26^th years of service in Indonesia on Monday, May 1^st, 2023. To celebrate its birthday, Habitat for Humanity Indonesia held an online and on-site gathering event last Tuesday (05/02/2023). The event was attended by many of HFHI’s family members across Indonesia.

Mr. Rene Widjaja, as one of the board members of Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, delivered an opening speech to start the ceremony. He inspired and motivated HFHI’s staff to relentlessly serve the undeserved people despite the challenges.

Habitat for Humanity Indonesia’s National Director, Mr. Susanto, continued the topic in his dialogues as he reminded all the staff and associate of Habitat Indonesia about the importance of the organization’s vision, mission, and purpose in sustaining Habitat’s on-going program across Indonesia.

The celebration ended with the cutting down of Tumpeng at Habitat Indonesia’s National Office. To commemorate the staff dedication to Habitat, the MC gave a chance to Ms. Citra, one of the employee of Habitat Indonesia’s, to be the first who received the piece of Tumpeng.

Happiness was radiating throughout the end of the ceremony; the staff celebrated Habitat’s 26^th years of Habitat Indonesia ministry in further establishing the well-being of families in Indonesia. Hopefully the fire of Habitat Indonesia’s ministry can continue to ignite and illuminate the lives of families in need.