Moving Into Safe New Homes

By Gita Modgil

September 8, 2006, was a poignant day for the community of Rima Jeuneu in Banda Aceh, one marked with joy for nearly 450 community members who were moving into new homes. Men and women laughed and toiled over big vats of boiling meat and vegetables, preparing a feast for the celebration set to begin in a few hours. But their happiness was tinged with moments of sadness in remembrance of the relatives and — in some cases — entire families who perished in the tsunami of late 2004.

"I am grateful to move into my new home after living in a temporary wooden house for so long. But I do wish my family members were there with me to enjoy this moment," says Fitria, who moved into her new home with her husband and three children. Fitria, like many Indonesians, only uses one name.

Fitria, along with many others in her village, lost her home, possessions and several family members in the blink of an eye to the deadly waves that swallowed large parts of the Banda Aceh coastline. The devastation and destruction of that day will take decades to repair. "It's a kind of sadness that will never go away. I will always remember my brother. I see parts of him in his son everyday," notes Fitria, who adopted her nephew after he was orphaned by the tsunami.

The community members of Rima Jeuneu and other communities across Aceh assisted each other in picking up pieces of their lives. Gotong Royong, or community service, is a traditional Indonesian way of life. It galvanized communities to help each other — from cleaning up debris left by the tsunami to building temporary homes. "The community in Rima Jeuneu is very strong. They bear everything together, from the happiest moment to the saddest," affirms Fitria's husband, Ismail.

After the tsunami, Fitria had to leave the village she had lived in all her life. For several months, she lived in a makeshift barrack built in a school nearby. Over time, her family put together a temporary shelter salvaged from the remaining scraps of their destroyed home. "It was so difficult to see the destroyed foundation of my home every day. It was painful to remember that we used to live in a home with things we had collected and built over several decades," says Fitria.

Then, toward the end of 2005, a Catholic Relief Services assessment team visited the village and spoke to community members about CRS and our reconstruction programs. Based on the community's decision and their invitation, CRS began its reconstruction program in February of 2006. "The thing I like about CRS is that they involved the community each step of the way," says Fitria, adding, "I saw the home being built before my very eyes so I know the quality is good. I feel safe in it. My children, on the other hand, just care about the color — they love the bright yellow."

'Celebrating this Moment'

Homes built by CRS are designed to be earthquake resistant. They also follow strict quality control guidelines that meet international and Indonesian construction standards. Each home, built of brick and cement, consists of two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom.

"The community is excited and celebrating this moment together. The togetherness helps erase the sadness," says Mariana, another resident of Rima Jeuneu, whose family has also moved into a new home built by CRS. So far, CRS has completed the construction of 552 permanent homes for communities across Aceh, providing shelter for an estimated 2,400 people. We also have plans to rebuild nearly 6,000 more homes.

"One good thing that has resulted from the tsunami is that I have realized the importance of family. Material things don't matter to me anymore. Even though my new home is empty, I am happy I have my husband and children. We are rebuilding our lives moment by moment," says Fitria.

>Gita Modgil is a media and communications officer for Catholic Relief Services. Formerly a radio show host and journalist from Mumbai, India, Gita is based in Aceh Province, Indonesia.