Expatriates join hands building houses for locals
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.