Stories of Change
Yogyakarta, March 3, 2026 – Every day, while most people are still asleep, the small kitchen is already alive. Thin wisps of smoke rise into the air, skilled hands shape dough into bakso cilok, and hope begins to simmer again at three o’clock in the morning.
In Pilangrejo Village, Nglipar District, Gunung Kidul Regency, 45-year-old Ibu Sri Lestari spends almost her entire day in the kitchen. Together with her husband, 49-year-old Bapak Sumarno, they rely on selling bakso cilok and soy milk to make a living. From dawn until late at night, Ibu Sri prepares the food, which her husband then carries as he travels from one village to another to sell.
Yet the kitchen where hope is prepared was far from adequate. Its walls were made of old bamboo panels with poor ventilation. Sunlight barely entered the space, so even during the day, the lights had to remain on for her to see the dough she was preparing. When heavy rain fell, water seeped in through gaps in the walls and the leaking roof.
“In the past, when it rained heavily, water would come into the kitchen. I had to stop cooking the meatballs here, and as a result, my husband couldn’t go out to sell,” Ibu Sri recalled.
The kitchen was not the only challenge. Their toilet was located outside, separate from the main house. To use it, the family had to walk across a dark and slippery yard, especially during rain or at night. The fear of slipping was constant. At the same time, there was also a sense of embarrassment about not having proper sanitation facilities.
“When it rains heavily, we’re afraid it will be slippery and that we might fall. At night it’s also very dark. We also feel embarrassed about having the toilet outside,” she said softly.
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Through the Clean Water Access and Proper Sanitation Program, Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, with support from donors, rebuilt Ibu Sri’s kitchen and toilet. A new kitchen now stands firmly with permanent green-painted walls, complete with ventilation and windows that allow light and fresh air to flow freely. The toilet has also been rebuilt more safely and integrated into the house, providing comfort and privacy for the entire family.
The change was felt from the very first day.
Now, from a distance, the delicious aroma of meatballs can once again be smelled every morning. Smoke rises steadily from a kitchen that is far brighter and healthier than before. Ibu Sri no longer worries when it rains. She can continue cooking whenever needed.
“Now, even when the door is closed, it’s still bright. Light comes in from outside. There’s also plenty of ventilation, so the air feels fresh,” she said with a smile.
With a safer and more comfortable kitchen, her daily production has increased from 5 kilograms to 7 kilograms per day. She has even started adding a new variation of meatball soup to her menu. The family’s income has grown by approximately Rp150,000 to Rp200,000 per day compared to before. When Bapak Sumarno sells out, Ibu Sri can now quickly bring additional supplies without any obstacles.
“Now, when my husband runs out of goods to sell, I can immediately go and bring more meatballs,” she said enthusiastically.
For Ibu Sri and her husband, this change is not only about physical improvements. It is about renewed spirit. It is about believing that their hard work can build a better future for their two children who are still in school.
“With this new kitchen and toilet, it gives my husband and me more motivation to keep selling and provide for our two children,” she said emotionally.
Looking ahead, Ibu Sri dreams of buying a new refrigerator or freezer so that production can increase even further. She wants her business to continue growing, step by step.
Ibu Sri’s story is proof that access to adequate housing and sanitation is not merely about comfort, but about opening economic opportunities, protecting family health, and restoring dignity.
The support of donors has helped bring real change to families like Ibu Sri’s. Every contribution helps transform a once-dark kitchen into a space filled with light and hope.
Let’s read more inspiring stories and see how your support can bring real change to more families here.
Writer: Kevin Herbian
(kh/av)
