Stories of Change
Tangerang, January 13, 2026 – That afternoon, Durahman (55) and his wife, Rohayati (48), gathered in the living room of their new home, watching their children and grandchildren play with joyful laughter—without the disruptions of leaks or the stifling air they once endured.
Every corner of this new home holds happiness that once seemed unimaginable. For more than thirty years, Durahman and his family lived in a fragile, cramped house filled with limitations. Today, everything has changed. Their home is now safe, comfortable, and warm—a gift born of relentless hard work and unwavering prayers.
Before having a decent home, Durahman’s life was full of uncertainty. He worked as a day laborer, willing to do any job—from digging to construction—earning only fifty thousand rupiahs per day if there was work available. Two years earlier, when his body was still strong, he walked tens of kilometers to collect and sell scrap materials. Age and health, however, eventually made such heavy labor impossible.
Meanwhile, Rohayati devoted herself to managing the household. They were blessed with four daughters, two of whom are married and live next door. The third child had to drop out of school due to financial constraints, while the youngest continued attending elementary school. This lack often left Durahman and his wife feeling they had failed to provide a proper life for their children.
Their old house only added to the struggle. Some walls were brick, others bamboo, lacking proper structural support. The aging roof was riddled with leaks during the rainy season.
“That house leaked all the time. I felt sorry for my children; it disturbed their studying. I tried to patch it up, but it still leaked,” Durahman recalled.
Even the ceramic floor was a product of his labor from collecting scrap. “That’s why my floor looks patchy and uneven,” he said with a small laugh.
Sanitation was another major challenge. The family had only a simple bathroom, while for defecation, they had to rely on relatives’ houses or a pond. Yet Durahman remained grateful that the family could at least gather under one roof, despite its limitations.
“I really wanted to give my family a proper home. But sometimes we barely had enough to eat. My youngest once said he wanted a two-story house. I could only tell him, ‘Just pray, my child,’” he said.
Read also: A Mother’s Story: Almost Leaving for the Future of Her Family
That hope eventually found a way through the Decent Home Program run by Habitat for Humanity Indonesia in collaboration with MedcoEnergi and Medco Foundation. Durahman’s home, along with 14 other families in Rajeg, Tangerang Regency, was rebuilt as part of a total of 45 decent homes constructed across Tangerang, Palembang, and Situbondo.
“I never imagined my house could be transformed and look this good,” Durahman said, unable to hide his emotion.
The change is evident in every corner: a new, tight roof, sturdy cream-colored walls, uniform ceramic floors, and proper sanitation facilities.
The first night in his new home, Durahman found it hard to sleep. Memories of the old leaky, fragile house lingered. But the next morning, the laughter of children studying and playing in the living room made him realize—they finally had a safe and comfortable home. No more rodents, clean air filled every room, and having their own toilet brought dignity and hygiene beyond measure.
With this new home, Durahman began thinking about the next steps to improve his family’s life and fulfill his children’s dreams. “Slowly, while I save some extra money, I want to resume selling scrap in the city. But for now, I want to focus on getting my third child back to school; he wants to attend a pesantren like his older sibling,” he shared.
He also emphasized that this house is not just for him, but for his youngest child—a legacy of comfort, safety, and opportunity.
Durahman’s family life is now filled with simple yet priceless joy. He can sit with his children and grandchildren in the living room, watching them study, play, and laugh—a reality that once felt impossible.
Every brick laid, every tile shielding them from rain, is not just a physical structure but a silent witness to prayers, hopes, and love embedded in the walls. Durahman’s house is now a foundation for the future, a place where the next generation can grow safely, healthily, and confidently.
Like sunlight streaming through the windows of their new home, this house illuminates new hope for Durahman’s family. And with every support given, more families like theirs can experience the warmth of fulfilled prayers, the fruits of perseverance, and a life that is truly worthy.
Writer: Kevin Herbian
(kh/av)
