A roof over our heads

The much anticipated wet season has not arrived. It is now 10 December 2006, and still we have no rain.

As you have been reading here, people have been working hard repairing homes and village infrastructure like the drainage and wells. It is good to see that the government is offering funds for reconstruction, and the neighbouring region of greater Yogyakarta are now waiting for round two of the funding. However, the more remote villages and tiny hamlets around Klaten, which includes Bicak and Ngunut, are still waiting to receive round one of the official reconstruction assistance.

The people of Bicak and Ngunut tell me that the first round of reconstruction funding promised is around 4.4 million Rupiah per household, which is around 650 Australian dollars. However, as it turns out, households will actually receive less than that amount. This is because the authorities had under estimated the number of houses needing serious repairs, so the Bicak and Ngunut community have agreed to pool the funding and ensure that every household receives a portion of the official reconstruction budget.

Lucky that people are resourceful! While we eagerly await the official reconstruction funds to reach the Bicak and Ngunut community, with your assistance, we began work to put a roof over every home.

Regards

Sari, Manager Subur Gemi Nastiti

Budi's house.

Hino's family home, complete with new roof.

This neat little home, with the new tiles on the roof belongs to Ibu Sumirah.

Mbah Karso's house just before the new roof was installed.

A new roof on Mbah Marto's house