Expatriates join hands building houses for locals
Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Bogor
Dozens of expatriates, managers and local residents as well as U.S. Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce formed a human chain through some rice fields from the bank of the Cileungsi River to a construction site of a house in a beautiful hilly village on Friday.
They were successfully delivering buckets of sand taken from the river for the mixing of cement to lay the foundation for the 36-square-meter house belonging to Endi, a resident of Tajur village in Citeureup, Bogor.
Endi was grateful because in building his house he had not spent any money.
"In two weeks, I will have a home for my family," the 25-year- old father of one said.
He said people usually needed a month to finish a house. But with these volunteers helping, they would be able to finish the house in about 13 days, he said.
Earlier, Endi's neighbor, Asep, who had also received assistance from the managers and expatriates, was able to construct a house on flat land complete with the roof in less than 14 days.
"I will move into the house with my family in the next few days," Asep said.
Endi's house is the eighth to be built in the village with assistance from the managers and expatriates, who will help U.S. non-governmental organization Habitat for Humanity to build about 30 houses in the village.
However, the construction of the houses is actually not free, as Asep and Endi will be required to pay for the materials for their houses worth approximately Rp 5 million (about US$609.75) each.
Nevertheless, both Asep and Endi have the privilege of delaying the payment and will pay for the construction materials on a monthly basis without any interest.
Asep, for example, is required to pay Rp 128,000 every month over 39 months.
"But I hope I can pay more each month so that I can finish my payments before the third year," said Asep, who earns around Rp 600,000 a month as a worker in a nearby factory.
"Without the help of these volunteers, it would be almost impossible for me to build a house at a time when everything is so expensive," said the father of a three-year-old girl.
The volunteers come from U.S. companies Unocal, JW Marriott, General Electric and Motorola and the U.S. Embassy. Their voluntary activity, organized by Habitat for Humanity, was inaugurated on Friday by Ambassador Boyce, who then joined other volunteers to dig the site for the house.
The companies also provide revolving funds for the NGO's activities.
Maudy Parengkuan, chairperson for the NGO, said that basically her organization encouraged volunteers to contribute their time and energy directly to the community.
To determine the target recipients, the organization cooperated with local administrations in selecting who would be eligible for the assistance, she said.
Currently, the organization has organized the development of some 60 houses on the outskirts of Jakarta, she said and the organization planned to build some 40 more houses.
"Maybe, after finishing 100 houses, we might consider increasing the number to 1,000," she said.
Those who wish to participate in events organized by Habitat for Humanity can contact 5736270 or visit its website at www.habitat.org or email at habijak@cbn.net.id.