Stories of Change
Tangerang, April 7, 2026 – There are wounds that are not always visible, yet they are felt every time the rain falls. For Banhawi, every drop of water that once fell from his roof was not just a leak—it was a reminder of a life filled with hardship.
At 53 years old, Banhawi spends his days working as a scrap collector in Rajeg, Tangerang Regency. His income is uncertain, ranging from IDR 150,000 to IDR 200,000 per day, depending on how much scrap he manages to gather. From this modest income, he had to meet daily needs while facing a difficult trial when his wife fell ill with a tumor.
For four years, Banhawi devoted himself to caring for his wife. The cost of medication—IDR 100,000, which only lasted for three days—became a heavy burden amid his limited earnings. At the same time, the house they lived in was far from livable.
The walls were made of fragile bamboo panels, riddled with holes and infested with termites. Parts of the structure had begun to tilt, with broken roof supports barely holding up. When it rained, the house could no longer provide protection.
“When I talk about my old house, I feel sad. When it rained, I couldn’t sleep—I had to catch the leaks with buckets,” Banhawi recalled.
Even covering the roof with plastic could not withstand the heavy rain. Long nights were filled with anxiety and discomfort. He often felt ashamed when neighbors wanted to visit.
“Seeing other people’s houses already in good condition while mine was just the way it was made me very sad. When neighbors wanted to come over, I felt embarrassed,” he said.
Behind all these hardships, Banhawi held onto one simple wish: to make his wife happy by providing a decent home. He continued to repair the house as best as he could, while still prioritizing her medical needs.
“I still remember my wife telling me, ‘Please keep fixing this house, as long as nothing breaks or collapses.’ So I kept repairing it little by little while continuing to buy her medicine,” he shared.
But fate had other plans. His wife eventually passed away, leaving Banhawi with memories, unfulfilled hopes, and a home that was still far from safe.
Then came a turning point. With support from MedcoEnergi and Medco Foundation, Habitat for Humanity Indonesia rebuilt Banhawi’s house into a decent home. He became one of 14 families in Rajeg who benefited from the housing program, part of a total of 45 homes built across Tangerang, Palembang, and Situbondo.
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Today, Banhawi’s house stands strong, with white walls and a sturdy light steel roof. It features two bedrooms, a living room, and a proper bathroom and toilet—providing safety while also supporting better health through improved sanitation.
This transformation has brought him a sense of peace he had never felt before. “Alhamdulillah, I feel much calmer now. I’m incredibly happy—it’s completely different from before. Now I don’t worry anymore when I leave the house to collect scrap,” he said.
More than just a place to live, the house has given him renewed motivation. Banhawi now works even harder, and his income has increased to around IDR 300,000 to IDR 400,000 per day. He has started planning for the future—something that once felt out of reach.
Looking ahead, he hopes to renovate the kitchen and add a canopy to the front of his house, saving little by little from his earnings to make it happen.
Behind his smile and renewed spirit lies a quiet hope that could not be fulfilled with his wife. “If my wife were still here today, I believe she would be incredibly happy. This was her dream—to have a good house like this,” he said softly.
Now, the house that was once filled with worry has transformed into a space of safety, comfort, and new hope. For Banhawi, this home is not just a shelter—it is proof that real change is possible, that even in the midst of hardship, there is always a chance for a better life.
Let’s explore more inspiring stories and see how your support can bring new hope to families in need here.
Writer: Kevin Herbian
(kh/av)
