EN-ID Blog
Under a tree, the sunlight pierced Ainun’s face as she struggled with the iron wire in her hands. This wasn’t a typical day for her. As an employee of PT Arthawenasakti Gemilang, Ainun was used to sitting in front of a computer finishing her tasks. But that day, she traded the comfort of her office for the dust at the construction site of a decent home in Ngemplak Hamlet, Sooko Village, Wringinanom Subdistrict, Gresik Regency (14/9).
With unfamiliar movements, she tried to tie the house’s foundation iron, but small mistakes often happened. “Is this your first time working as a laborer?” teased Ramadan, her colleague, who was also participating in the volunteer activity. “Yeah, these hands are usually only used for typing,” Ainun replied jokingly.
In another area, Arief was busy stacking bricks for the house wall with his colleagues. Every time he lifted a brick, fatigue swept through his body, but a sense of pride filled his heart. “This is my first experience. Even though it’s tiring, it feels amazing to be able to help those in need,” he said with a satisfied smile.
That day wasn’t just an ordinary activity. A total of 100 employees from PT Arthawenasakti Gemilang gathered in a spirit of togetherness to directly participate in building 10 decent housing units under the “Arthawena Build” program. Initiated by Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, this program aims to bring new hope to hundreds of families living in deprivation in Sooko Village.
For hundreds of families there, owning a decent home is not easy. Most of them work as farm laborers or construction workers, earning just enough to meet daily needs. Their dream of a proper home often seems like a distant goal. But that day, their dream became reality.
Habitat for Humanity Indonesia and PT Arthawenasakti Gemilang are committed to building 100 decent homes in Sooko Village, Wringinanom Subdistrict, and Lundo Village, Benjeg Subdistrict, over the next two years, from 2024 to 2025. This program is not only about building houses but also about creating a better future for the families who need it the most.
“This is not the first time we’ve participated,” said Hendro Hananto Putro, Marketing Manager of PT Arthawenasakti Gemilang, who also joined the on-site activities with other board members. “We have built 80 houses in 2023, and this time we want to continue our contribution. This activity is a way to encourage our employees to contribute, not only for the company but also for the community,” he added.
Hendro was not alone. His colleagues, such as Candra Suwikatono, Production A3/A5 Manager, Sylphia Hardjanti, CSI Manager, Arief Widyastono Lukas, Sr. Head of Production – PPC, and Siswanto, Head of HRD/GA, also participated in the construction process from start to finish. From laying the foundation to placing the final bricks, they all worked with the same spirit—the spirit of making a meaningful contribution.
“This activity is part of our effort to increase employee awareness of social issues,” Hendro continued. “Every effort, no matter how small, can have a significant impact. We hope that through this activity, our employees will become more involved in social activities.”
By midday, the exhaustion was visible on the volunteers’ faces, but their enthusiasm never wavered. They knew that what they were doing wasn’t just physical work; it was an effort to build better lives for others. For Ainun, Arief, and the other employees, this experience left not only tiredness but also unforgettable memories—a sense of pride from being part of new hopes built with their own hands.
(kh/av)
