“Hi everyone, this is my new home! Come in and take a look!” Six-year-old Sholeh greeted visitors with a beaming smile, eager to show off the place he now calls home. For Sholeh and his family in Kamal Muara, North Jakarta, moving into a safe and sturdy house marked the end of years of uncertainty and the start of a new chapter filled with hope.
From Tears to Smiles: A Family’s Journey
Sholeh is the younger son of Hasnawati, one of six families who recently received new homes through the sixth phase of a local housing assistance project. When Jakarta Tzu Chi volunteers visited on July 10, 2025, for the handover ceremony, Sholeh transformed into a proud little tour guide, inviting everyone to see every corner of his new home.
“This is my new room! Now we have a bunk bed. I sleep on the top, and my brother Ahmad sleeps below. The mattress is soft and comfortable; not smelly or old anymore. I’m so happy!” Sholeh exclaimed, rolling around on his bed with joy.
His happiness was contagious, bringing smiles to everyone present. It was a stark contrast to the not-so-distant past, when Sholeh once came home from school in tears, asking his mother, “Mom, are we poor? My classmates said our house is about to collapse.”
Hasnawati, holding back her own sadness, gently reassured him, “Who says we’re poor? Sholeh, we are rich—we have eyes, ears, hands, and feet. That means we are wealthy.” But behind her brave words, she knew the reality was harsh. Living in their old wooden house that was falling apart, with slanted walls and a leaky roof, turned every rainy season into a nightmare. With her husband’s unpredictable income from fishing and her own efforts selling homemade snacks, there was never enough to repair the house.
Patience Rewarded and a Desire to Give Back
After applying three times for housing assistance, Hasnawati’s family was finally selected. Hasnawati said: “I understand that every family faces their own difficulties, and some homes were even more dangerous than ours. I am grateful to Allah that it was finally our turn, and just in time.”
Now, their new home stands strong and secure. The children have a clean, comfortable room, a clean floor, a solid roof, and new beds. Most importantly, Sholeh’s pride and joy are unmistakable. “Mom, I’m so happy!” he repeated, jumping with excitement.
Seeing her son’s happiness brought tears to Hasnawati’s eyes. “I hope Ahmad and Sholeh will want to stay home, study hard, and make us proud,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion.
For this family, the new house is more than just bricks and mortar—it is a foundation for dreams and a symbol of renewed hope. Hasnawati now looks forward to giving back.
“There are often Tzu Chi activities here in Kamal Muara. I hope I can join and help others in the future.” — Hasnawati
LEFT: Hasnawati and her two sons pose happily in front of their new home, a long-awaited dream come true. | Photo: Arimami Suryo Asmoro RIGHT: Hasnawati’s old house was rudimentary and dangerously tilted, always at risk of collapse. | Photo: Anand Yahya
A Home Transformed, A Life Renewed
The transformation is clear, not only in the sturdy new walls but also in the family’s spirit. The old house’s slanted walls and leaky roof are now memories, replaced by a safe, dry space where the children can sleep soundly and play freely.
LEFT: The old house’s interior walls were slanted, and the roof leaked, making every rainy season a nightmare. | Photo: Anand Yahya RIGHT: In addition to providing new homes, volunteers provided beds, tables, and chairs, ensuring families can settle in comfortably and safely. | Photo: Arimami Suryo Asmoro
For Sholeh and Ahmad, the new home is a place to dream, learn, and grow. For Hasnawati, it is a promise fulfilled and a chance to look forward to a brighter future—not just for her own family, but for others in her community as well.
Written by Metta Wulandari
Source: 男童在新家的幸福故事
