Combining work and play in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

INDONESIA: Fun Facts

World’s largest archipelago nation, with over 17,000 islands
Country with the largest Muslim population
Home to 120 volcanoes
Boasts over 700 languages spoken
Home of the world‘s largest flower,
…and largest gold mine!

I had the pleasure of exploring the Yogyakarta area of the island of Java prior to my intended purpose—working on a job site, partnering with a family in need of a decent home with Habitat for Humanity Indonesia. The people in Indonesia are some of the kindest people I’ve met. I didn’t come across one rude person, no pushy salespeople, no blaring car horns…. only kind smiles and kind eyes.

We would spend a week volunteering with our Habitat for Humanity Australia Global Village Team, partnering with Habitat Indonesia, helping to construct a home for a deserving family in need, an elderly couple who, combined, earned the equivalent of $93USD per month as farm workers. Thanks to Habitat, they will be able to live out their final years with dignity, eventually passing the home to one of their sons and his family.

Upon arriving in the community, about an hour drive from our hotel in Yogyakarta, we first checked into the homebase or community center, where we would eat lunch every day. In rural communities in Indonesia, villages are still run by chiefs and local elected officials who determine how things work in these parts. Our partner family was identified by those who know the residents intimately, and who will ensure the handing down of property serves those most in need.

Our first day on the job was a lot of digging to make way for the foundation’s footers. Luckily, we had some tools!

When we arrived the next morning, the local crew had finished digging the foundation! Of course, because this is the toughest work especially in the extreme heat and humidity, we were delighted. That meant that the rest of the day we could be far more productive, building rebar towers for the foundation and eventually mixing some concrete and moving rocks. Tomorrow should be interesting!

Hump day was a very full and fabulous day! Morning at the work site was terrific. We continued to tie a lot of rebar towers, move rocks, break rocks, make cement. But after lunch, we participated in a batik making workshop. It was so fun and really gives you an appreciation for the artistry that goes into making this fabric. It is certainly not easy!

Day four the team had another amazing day! We also had fun sharing lunch at the community center with a university build team from Tokyo, Japan who is helping build a separate house for a family in need of a decent home.

This week flew by! We all felt so satisfied seeing the walls go up today! We had a wonderful lunch and celebration in the community with our soon-to-be new homeowners. This house will be a safe, dry, healthy place where love can flourish—representing hope and prosperity for generations to come.

This platter of beautiful food represents prosperity for the future. We participated in a ceremony where we cut off the top of the rice cone and spooned little bits of food onto a plate and presented it to the homeowners.

Our team stayed at the Ibis Styles Hotel just off Malioboro Street, the center of Yogyakarta’s largest tourist district surrounded by markets, restaurants, and shops. One night we enjoyed a celebration of Indonesian culture parade!

[PRO TIP: If you happen to stay at the Ibis Styles, on the same side of the same street, just a few doors up, is a laundress who is amazing! AA’ LAUNDRY is the only place to drop off your dirty clothes only to have them freshly laundered in under 24 hours.]