Two and a half years plus a day after the tsunami swept over south East Asia, another 136 Indonesians families have new homes, thanks in part to the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC).

The completion of this building phase was celebrated on June 27, 2007. CRWRC took on the project after another non-governmental organization (NGO) was unable to see it to completion. The houses were built in Meunasoh Lhok and Pudeng, two seashore villages submerged in ocean waters after the earthquake preceding the three tsunami waves dropped land and homes below sea level. For months residents lived in self-erected shacks, waiting for an absolution that seemed would never come.

In May of 2006, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) approached CRWRC with an offer. MCC had funds to get the homes built; CRWRC had the experience and staff to make it happen.

But finding new land proved a huge issue. The project was repeatedly delayed as CRWRC struggled for approval from the Indonesian government.  In the end, the community relocated to an un-serviced parcel on some of its rice fields. The new location meant that a road and a new septic system would have to be built and then, when two burial plots were found on the land, site plans had to be changed.  The threat of flooding also meant that houses would need to be designed to survive rising and tumultuous waters. With the assistance of Mike Tigchelaar, CRWRC construction consultant, flood mitigation was incorporated into the plans for houses erected in Pudeng, resulting in some homes being built on concrete piers.

Today, 317 people have safe shelter and are moving on with their lives. And thanks to a donation from French NGO, “Electriciens sans Frontiers”, their homes have also been outfitted with electricity. The new homes are in addition to the 525 houses completed in Indonesia last fall with money from CIDA and CRWRC.

The blessings aren’t over yet.  MCC was so satisfied with CRWRC’s implementation and completion of this project that the two agencies have made a new agreement to build another 295 homes for tsunami survivors. That will bring CRWRC’s grand total of homes built for Indonesian tsunami survivors to 956!   All glory to God, for blessing this work!

From Building Homes to Building Peace

CRWRC’s community participatory approach (by which communities are involved in the entire planning and rebuilding process) helped to promote peace and reconciliation between the two villages as well. CRWRC’s facilitation of several community meetings encouraged communication between the two opposing village chiefs, who now laugh and joke with one another! Where once there was hostility, a friendship is blooming.

From Building Peace to Building Dignity

North Americans have been eager to pitch in for tsunami relief. CRWRC volunteers lived with and laboured alongside the villagers not only to help rebuild homes but also to demonstrate that they are valued in God’s eyes. Once the homes were complete, the new owners joyfully decorated their dwellings with pride and in celebration. A community has been reborn – and lives have been transformed.

by Grace Wiebe