Stories of Change
Cilegon, November 26, 2025 – Every day, soft, steady footsteps echo along the streets of Cilegon. In one hand, a small bag hangs from his shoulder, filled with massage oil and a clean cloth. In the other, he grips a small walking stick that guides his way forward. Under the blazing sun or the gentle drizzle, he keeps moving—steadily, unafraid—though he has never seen the world with his own eyes.
This is Muhdi Hadi, a 40-year-old traveling masseur whose life is marked by perseverance and quiet strength. He lives with his wife, Baitini, 31, who, like him, was born blind. Together, they reside in a modest house in Ciwandan District, Cilegon, Banten. They have no children, but their companionship fills the small space they call home with warmth and resilience.
Every morning, Muhdi carefully checks the items in his bag—the massage oil, the clean cloth—before setting out from one neighborhood to another, offering his services to local residents. His income is modest and unpredictable, sometimes only reaching IDR 400,000 to 500,000 a month. Yet, to him, every rupiah is earned with honesty and effort. “It’s just enough to get by,” he says softly, his voice calm with acceptance.
But behind his quiet determination lies a difficult truth—his home was falling apart. The old structure had weakened with age: the walls were brittle, and the roof had rotted. Every time heavy rain poured, water would leak through the ceiling, soaking the floor. Pieces of the roof sometimes fell in the middle of the night as they slept.
“When it rained hard, water came in from everywhere,” he recalls. “Once, I was giving a massage at home, and suddenly it started leaking. We had to move around to avoid getting wet. I was embarrassed, but I couldn’t afford to fix the house.”
He knew how dangerous it was to live in such a fragile building. “The house was already old and weak. We were scared, especially when strong winds came,” he said quietly. “Once, during a big storm, my wife and I sat by the door, ready to run if the house collapsed.”
Living in such conditions made every day harder. “I already have limited vision,” he murmured. “Living in a dark, damp, broken house made everything even more difficult.”
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Despite these challenges, Muhdi never gave up. He continued offering massages from his tiny, leaking home, holding on to hope. Then one day, news arrived that would change his life—Habitat for Humanity, in partnership with POSCO, announced that they would rebuild homes for low-income families in his neighborhood, including his.
“I was so happy—too happy to even find the right words,” Muhdi said, his voice filled with emotion.
When construction began, he didn’t just sit and wait. Despite his disability, he found ways to contribute—preparing snacks and drinks for the builders. Often, he would run his fingers along the new walls, feeling the smooth plaster and the solid floor beneath his feet. Through touch, he could sense the change.
“I can’t see, but I can feel that this house is truly fit for us,” he said. “It was designed for people like me and my wife who have special needs. There’s a fence, handrails in every room, and the floor textures are different—some rough, some smooth—so we can move safely. It’s really thoughtful.”
Now, their new home is more than just a shelter—it’s a symbol of hope. His wife, Baitini, says she no longer feels anxious when it rains. “A house should protect you from the rain and heat,” she said gently. “Now, I’m grateful. This new home feels like a blessing.”
For Muhdi, the new house is also a new opportunity. He plans to put up a small sign in front of his house to attract more clients. “I hope this home brings new blessings,” he said with a smile. “I want to save money for our future—maybe one day, for a child.”
The home construction was part of the 2025 POSCO 1% Foundation Echo Village Project, a collaboration between Habitat for Humanity and POSCO. Through this initiative, six safe and environmentally friendly homes were built. The houses feature eco-bricks made from recycled plastic, rainwater harvesting systems, and septic tanks with soak pits to ensure proper sanitation for each family.
Beyond building homes, the project also offered Healthy Home Management and Building Back Safer (BBS) training for 50 other families in the surrounding areas of Ciwandan and Citangkil. Residents also received Disaster Preparedness Team (TBSK) training and were supported in proposing Disaster-Resilient Village (Kaltana) status to Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).
Today, among the rows of new houses standing strong in Cilegon, Muhdi’s small home shines as a beacon of hope. He may not be able to see it, but every time his hand touches the sturdy walls, he knows—his struggle has not been in vain.
“I used to dream of having a house that wouldn’t leak,” he said softly. “Now, that dream has finally come true.”
Writer: Kevin Herbian
(av/kh)
