The Generosity of Eta Zulkifli: Sincerely Donating Land for the Establishment of a Community Home.

Journalist : Metta Wulandari, Photographer : Arimami Suryo A, Khusnul Khotimah, Anand Yahya, Dok DAAI TV

Eta and Suryani beamed with joy as they entered their new home on the second floor of Rumah Cinta Damai Tanah Tinggi. They expressed their gratitude, as their long-awaited prayers were answered through the Tzu Chi village improvement program. This achievement was made possible through a collaborative effort with the Jakarta Special Region Government, supported by the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency.

The melodious sound of shalawat echoed from the speakers of Jami Al Falah Mosque in Tanah Tinggi. That evening, as the call to Maghrib prayer approached, the atmosphere felt more lively than usual. Children ran around, their laughter filling the air as they greeted the Tzu Chi volunteers who were there for an important occasion. On the afternoon of Friday, September 27, 2024, Tzu Chi, in collaboration with the Jakarta Special Region Government, had just inaugurated Rumah Cinta Damai Tanah Tinggi, located at RT 005 RW 012, Tanah Tinggi Village, Johar Baru District, Central Jakarta.

The building, which stands on a 108-square-meter plot of land, consists of four floors and was recently inaugurated by Tzu Chi, the Jakarta Special Region Government, and the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency. It immediately caught the attention of local residents. Some people who were initially just passing by decided to stop and explore the house, even venturing up to the upper floors.

Volunteers conducted a survey of Eta’s house (right). Although it consists of two floors, the house is damaged in various areas, and the family's financial situation does not allow for repairs.

“What is this building, Ma’am? Is it an apartment? I noticed it’s quite busy here with many Tzu Chi volunteers, and I’m curious,” asked a young woman who approached with a sense of enthusiasm.

“This is our new home, Ma’am. It was provided by Tzu Chi. It’s newly constructed—not for rental, but for us to live in,” explained Suryani, a resident admiring her new home on the second floor. She responded with equal enthusiasm, her joy evident in her simple yet heartfelt words.

“Oh, it’s really beautiful! I thought it was a new boarding house or something. Wow, congratulations, Ma’am!” replied the woman, who then continued to look around. Suryani welcomed the woman's compliment with a nod and a warm smile, her happiness radiating as she took in the moment.

Volunteers provided support to the residents, including Eta (in the pink shirt), throughout the house construction process. Gradually, they introduced the community to Tzu Chi, fostering positive relationships and strong connections along the way.

The mother of four continued to observe her many neighbors coming and going, all appearing to share in the joy of the presence of this four-story house.

The excitement continued, with even the local children eager to seize the moment. “Ma’am, can we take a look upstairs?” a group of curious kids asked about the multi-level house. “You can, but be careful; the stairs are steep,” replied a volunteer. Not only the volunteers, but Suryani also busily reminded the children, saying repeatedly, “Be careful not to run; it’s high up!”

Not Well-off, Yet Driven to Share for Collective Welfare

Suryani is the wife of Eta Zulkifli, a recipient of housing assistance who has long dreamed of repairing their old home. Fortunately, good fortune has come to the Eta family, bringing them blessings. The happiness she feels is beyond words. “I’m absolutely thrilled,” Suryani said with a smile.

This family has willingly given up their dilapidated home, which sits on a 22-square-meter plot of land, to share the space with neighbors who have smaller homes—some measuring 7 square meters, others 9 square meters, and a few at 12 square meters.

Now, 11 families that originally lived in homes of varying sizes now share equally sized units, each measuring 18 square meters.

Eta received the house certificate, which was personally handed to him by Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, the Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency.

“Being sincere is the key,” Suryani said, smiling with tears welling in her eyes, clearly touched by the moment.

“I believe it’s essential for all of us to prosper together. I give this willingly because, as fellow human beings, we should avoid greed. We should strive to ensure everyone can experience the joys of life. Since we live together, we should embrace it and enjoy it together,” Eta explained, his face lighting up with happiness.

The land of Eta’s house is relatively spacious compared to that of his neighbors. However, the house itself is quite old, leaking, and stuffy due to a lack of ventilation. Morning, noon, night, and even in the early hours, Eta’s house is never closed. The door is always open because that is the only source of fresh air. “We’re not really afraid of thieves, you know. What would they take? We don’t have any luxury items,” Eta said.

As the family grew with the addition of children and grandchildren, the house was never repaired or renovated. The only modifications made were a few times when he built a second floor for his two married children to live in.

“The house feels cramped,” Eta recalled.

Eventually, Eta’s home was deemed uninhabitable. The family struggled to save money for repairs, as their primary needs took precedence. According to Eta, the income from his trade was minimal, and earnings from online ride-hailing services were unreliable. Meanwhile, he also needed to support the needs of his two grandchildren, who were entrusted to him by his child.

The two other children living with him also had their own family responsibilities. It seemed impossible for them to accumulate enough funds for any renovations to the house. The financial strain on each family made it difficult to prioritize such expenses, leaving them feeling overwhelmed by their individual obligations.

Rumah Cinta Damai, viewed from above, is situated in a neighborhood populated by residents of Tanah Tinggi. True to its name, this house is intended to be a space for sharing love and peace among its inhabitants and the surrounding community.

When the Tzu Chi volunteers from the He Qi Center community visited for the initial survey of the village improvement program, Eta was initially hesitant to give his approval. He carefully considered the proposal and engaged in discussions with his family. It took several meetings before Eta felt ready to say yes.

“My main concern was about the other neighbors who had already agreed. If I choose to opt out, will the project still move forward? Besides, my family is not in a position to build a new home on our own,” he explained. His wife and children were in complete agreement with him. “We’ll face both challenges and joys together. We’re all in this as a team,” Eta affirmed, taking a moment to sip his coffee.

The Eta family still can’t believe they have a new home. They were eager to express their gratitude and appreciation to Tzu Chi, which, in just eight months, turned their dreams into reality by building a beautiful, clean, and magnificent house.

“If it weren’t for the kindness of the volunteers, donors, and the Tzu Chi Foundation, who would have built us a house? It certainly wouldn’t be as nice as this one. Alhamdulillah... our entire family is incredibly thankful; everyone feels relieved and happy,” Eta said emotionally. “I hope this house lives up to its name, Rumah Cinta Damai, where all residents can support each other, care for one another, and live in peace,” he added with hope.

Translator: Vissia (Tzu Chi School)

The Inauguration of The Cinta Damai Housing, Village Revitalization Program in Tanah Tinggi, Central Jakarta

October 07, 2024

The Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation Indonesia, in collaboration with the Jakarta Provincial Government and the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning, inaugurated the Cinta Damai Housing in Tanah Tinggi on Friday, 27^th September 2024.