Stories of Change
For many people, the sound of rain can be soothing. But for Yanto, every raindrop falling on the roof of his former home brought nothing but anxiety.
Bondowoso, July 7, 2026 – For nearly ten years, the 34-year-old resident of Sumberwringin, Bondowoso Regency, lived with his family in a modest house that had steadily deteriorated with age. The floor was still made of bare earth, the walls were constructed from plywood sheets that had become weathered and full of holes, and the asbestos roof above them was riddled with gaps that allowed rainwater to pour into the house.
“The roof used to leak, and there were holes everywhere along the edges. When it rained heavily, water would come in and everything inside would get wet,” Yanto recalled.
As an odd-job laborer earning around IDR 50,000 per day, Yanto had very few options. Most of his income was spent covering daily necessities for his wife and their six-year-old daughter. Whenever there was any money left over, food for the family remained the top priority.
“We had to be very frugal. If we weren’t, we wouldn’t have enough to meet our daily needs,” he said.
Living in a mountainous area brought its own challenges. At night, cold air would enter the house from all directions. Wind passed through the holes in the walls, while the damaged roof could no longer provide proper protection. Yanto and his family relied solely on blankets to keep warm.
Amid all these hardships, the thing that troubled him most was the safety of his family.
“I felt sad, sometimes even to the point of crying when I looked at the condition of the house. But what could I do? I didn’t have the money to repair it. As long as we had enough to eat, that was what mattered most,” he said.
His worries grew whenever he imagined the worst possible scenario. The aging house made him fear that a disaster or earthquake could cause the structure to collapse. At the same time, the asbestos roof was another source of concern, as the material is known to pose health risks, especially for children who spend their days living and growing up beneath it.
Yanto’s wife and daughter are inside their inadequate home in Bondowoso Regency, Indonesia. Photo: HFHI/Kevin Herbian
Read also: Seven Years Waiting for a Decent Home: Nining’s Struggle to Care for Her Parents Amid Hardship
In the midst of these difficult circumstances, Yanto never imagined that his life would change.
Then one day, a team from Habitat for Humanity Indonesia visited his home to conduct an assessment.
At first, he assumed it was simply a routine survey. However, he was shocked to learn that his family had been selected to receive support for the construction of a decent home.
Yanto did not let the opportunity pass him by. Throughout the construction process, he actively participated in any work he could do. From digging the septic tank and carrying building materials to assisting with various construction tasks, he contributed wherever possible.
For Yanto, the house was not something that simply appeared. It was built with his own labor, time, and dedication throughout the construction process.
The transformation he experienced was remarkable.
Today, his home looks completely different. Cream-colored walls have replaced the fragile materials of the past, while the stronger structure provides the sense of security he had dreamed of for years.
“My wife and daughter are very happy now. There are no more leaks. I’m no longer afraid that the house might collapse,” he said with a relieved smile.
A portrait of Yanto’s family standing on the porch of their now decent home, made possible by the support of donors through Habitat for Humanity Indonesia in Bondowoso Regency, Indonesia. Photo: HFHI/Kevin Herbian
The impact extends beyond the physical condition of the house. Yanto has also seen positive changes in his family’s daily life. His wife and daughter can now rest comfortably without having to endure cold air seeping through gaps in the walls. They also no longer live under an asbestos roof that had long been a source of concern.
His daughter has grown into a happier and more cheerful child. The safer yard around their home now gives her space to play and explore her surroundings.
“In the past, I often stopped her from playing too much. I was worried the house was too unsafe or that she might get hurt. Now she can play freely wherever she wants,” Yanto said.
The nights that were once filled with worry have gradually been replaced by peaceful rest. There is no longer overwhelming anxiety whenever it rains or when strong mountain winds blow.
That peace of mind has given Yanto renewed energy to continue working and to look toward the future with greater optimism. He can now focus on things that were previously overshadowed by concerns about the house, including preparing for his daughter’s education.
For Yanto, this transformation is about more than simply having a safer place to live. It is an opportunity to live with greater peace of mind, care for his family more effectively, and move forward with confidence that the future he dreams of for his daughter is now much closer than ever before.
Writer: Kevin Herbian
(kh/av)
