Stories of Change
Garut, June 22, 2026 – Andri (36) lives with his wife, Rina (33), and their two children in Garut Regency, West Java. Their first child is currently in the third grade of elementary school, while the youngest is three years old. For the past seven years, this small family has lived in a simple house whose condition was far from decent.
Daily, Andri works on odd jobs with an unpredictable income. When work is available, he becomes a farm laborer or helps forage grass to feed livestock in residents’ gardens. However, his income averages only about IDR 50,000 per day.
With such a limited income, Andri could only afford to repair his house bit by bit. He would sometimes patch the dirt floor with cement whenever he had extra money. “If we are blessed with a little extra income, I use it to patch the floor with cement. But only part of it, I can’t afford to do the whole thing,” Andri said.
Their housing condition was deeply concerning. The roof was made of asbestos without a ceiling, a material that poses health risks, especially for the children who stayed inside every day. Furthermore, the walls were made of woven bamboo that had holes in many places, allowing cold air and rainwater to easily enter the house.
Their biggest fear came whenever the rainy season arrived. “If it’s just light rain, we still brave it out inside the house. But if it’s a heavy downpour accompanied by strong winds, we always evacuate because we are afraid the house might collapse,” Andri explained. “The most difficult part is when it rains at night. It is pitch black here with minimal street lighting. We have to run to my parents’ house to seek shelter,” he recalled.
Andri’s wife, Rina (36), and their daughter stand in front of their uninhabitable home in Garut Regency, Indonesia. Photo: HFHI Team
The hardest period came when Rina was pregnant with their second child. At that time, the family’s economic condition was truly at its lowest point, while the due date was fast approaching. “At that time, I felt hopeless. I felt like I couldn’t be a useful husband and father for my family,” Andri said.
In addition, the fragile condition of the house made them worry about the safety of their unborn baby. After their youngest child was born, Andri and his family finally decided to temporarily evacuate to his parents’ house for two months to avoid any unwanted incidents.
Amid all these struggles, Andri could only keep trying while leaving the rest to God. “I learned to accept reality. I have tried my absolute best to earn a living. The rest, I leave it up to Allah,” he said.
Read also: Seven Years Waiting for a Decent Home: Nining’s Struggle to Care for Her Parents Amid Hardship
New hope finally arrived when Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, in collaboration with Astra, rebuilt Andri’s house into a decent home, along with 84 other families in Garut Regency. “Praise be to God (Alhamdulillah), my life felt filled with a renewed spirit when I found out that my house was selected to be rebuilt,” Andri said emotionally.
For him, this new house is the answer to the long struggle he and his family have endured. “This feels like the fruit of my family’s long struggle to finally have a decent home. I am sure this is the answer to our prayers,” he said.
Now, Andri’s house is much sturdier and safer. Not only was it built with proper walls and roofing, but the house is also equipped with various furniture such as a living room table and chairs, mattresses, wardrobes, and other necessities.
A portrait of Andri’s family standing in front of their now decent home made possible through the support of Astra in Garut Regency, Indonesia. Photo: HFHI/Kevin Herbian
The change has brought a sense of security that they had never truly felt before. “This house makes me feel more confident; it is something I can be proud of. Most importantly, now I am no longer afraid when it rains and I don’t need to stay over at my parents’ house anymore,” Andri said with a smile.
It did not stop there; Habitat Indonesia also invited Andri to get involved in building decent homes for other families in his neighborhood. Armed with his experience as a construction worker, Andri now helps with the house construction after finishing his half-day work in the garden.
This opportunity has also helped increase his income. “Now I have additional income, so it can be twice as much as before,” Andri said.
The transformation is also felt by their children. Andri believes that a safer and more comfortable home environment has significantly improved his children’s physical and mental health. His children are no longer ashamed of their own home.
In this new house, Andri has finally found what he had been searching for all these years: peace of mind. “I am very grateful and would like to thank Astra. This house has truly become a proper place to live. This is what a decent home should be,” Andri concluded.
Andri’s story is proof that a decent home is not just about a sturdy structure, but about providing a sense of security, preserving a family’s dignity, and opening new hope for a better life.
Writer: Kevin Herbian
(kh/av)
