Bantul 125+
The following is a proposal to rebuild 125 homes in the villages of Imogiri and Krekah in the Bantul Regency of the Special Province of Jogjakarta, Indonesia.
This proposal is based on information acquired during the initial feasibility study for New Ngelepen, research completed while building New Ngelepen and a compiled list of specific families who need new homes.
The financial support of this project will help to leverage more funding for more work in this area of great need.
“There is no reason in this world today why some people have many homes, while others have none.” -- Taj Hamad, Secretary General, World Association of Nongovernmental Organizations.
Executive Summary / Proposal
In May 2006 there was a devastating earthquake on the Indonesian island of Java. The region most seriously affected by the earthquake lies on the Bantul plain, south of Yogyakarta. This plain is densely populated, with people living in small villages separated by rice fields.
According to the latest news, there have been 6,234 deaths, while 36,299 people have been injured, 135,000 houses damaged, and an estimated 1.5 million left homeless. Around five million people live within 50 km of the epicenter.
WANGO and DFTW
In June 2006 the Domes for the World
Foundation (DFTW) was contacted by
WANGO to discuss the possibility of building
a village of Monolithic EcoShell Domes in the
Yogyakarta (Jogja) region. The village would
serve as a model of disaster-safe, permanent,
economical, sanitary and efficient construction
standards.
In April 2007 that first village was completed. Called “New Ngelepen” it stands as a model of best practices in reconstruction after deadlynatural disasters.
The Feasibility Study July 2006 
The field work for the initial feasibility study included fact finding about: the Javanese people; their customs; family units and how they live; the type of damage done by the May 2006 earthquake; what has been done so far to alleviate housing shortages; how EcoShells would fit into local societies; and costs of construction.
The initial study’s focus was to identify a suitable site for construction of a model village. But we did much more than discover one isolated village that needed reconstruction.
We found complete devastation everywhere.
Our Proposal
Following the great success of the project at New Ngelepen, we propose to build 125 houses, which have been pre-selected, at a cost of $4,120 per home.
This cost translates to less than $120.00 per sq. meter. Habitat for Humanity’s cost for their projects in the area is $148 per sq. meter. So, not only do the EcoShells cost less money but have the added value of permanancy, disaster resistance and we pay local laborers, thereby benefitting the local economy.
We believe that clean water and sanitation is mandatory in these villages and intend to scatter at least 7 clean water wells and MCKs throughout. Each well/ MCK system is estimated to cost about $20,000.
Another major problem in Bantul is the rubble, debris and existing foundations. Some derelict buildings pose a serious threat to the people and particularly to playful children. A lot of work should be done to clean up the areas around our jobsite(s).
This could be done in a number of ways: First, demolition should be done on any potentially dangerous structures surrounding a site. In every instance at least some minor demolition will need to happen before construction begins.
Next, existing debris could be used to build fences and fix up broken roads and walkways. In addition we may need to create a couple of small area landfills of non-toxic materials. In this way, we can help those in the villages who are not getting domes to “start fresh”.
Assurance of Purpose
Our Indonesian Superintendent, Yoss, has done extensive research to ensure the people scheduled to receive a home are truly in need. I spent a lot of time in these places with Yoss during two of my visits to Indonesia. Bantul is the area where as many as 90% of the homes in some villages were destroyed. Roads, homes, churches and mosques are unrecognizable and covered in unsanitary debris and most people are living under tarps and makeshift leanto’s. Most have no access to sanitation facilities or clean water. DFTW’s purpose and intent is to help the people of Bantul to better their lives in any small way we can.
The Houses
We will build simple houses. We will build basic interiors, and in most cases, leave it up to the able families to complete these interiors themselves.
Cost Estimate
125 homes x $5,000 $500,000
7 MCKs x $20,000 $140,000
Area Earthquake aftermath cleanup $065,000
Total = $705,000
Mobilization
Mobilization is almost a non-issue. The equipment is in place. The men are trained and ready.
Day-by-Day Field Notes
Rebecca South
Exerpts from my notes from my trip to Bantul, Indonesia July 2006
July 26th,
...On a personal note, this is a beautiful and amazing country. Bananas and rice fields intermixed with housing and offices just outside downtown Jogja. Everyone is very friendly. I see bamboo scaffolding, as expected. There are a million scooters and motorcycles. The air is quite clean here. I was hoping to get a view of Mt. Merapi, but the clouds wouldn’t cooperate. There is a distinct smell of sandalwood (or something like it) which permeates the entire area.
July 27,
4:00 pm now. Just returned from a scouting trip. Very informative. We turned the corner behind a business and it just opened up onto what used to be a cluster of houses. Everything was leveled. Everyone is living in tents. Mostly provided by USAID, I think.
The women wash the clothes with the same water they wash the dishes with. Sanitation is a real problem. The well from which they draw water is primitive, at best. The people are living with their poultry.
Lots of standing water, although it had not been raining. I fell in love with the little kids, of course. They were so cute. I took a hundred photos.
July 28,
I don’t really know where to start about today. So much happened.
We met for breakfast around 7:30 am. Said hello to our new friends, Neil and James from the Red Cross. Waited for Yoss and Heri to come to the hotel. Yoss is an independent volunteer. Hery is Vice President of the House of Representatives in Bantul. They showed us all day long how much they want to help us and for our project to succeed.
We went first to the University Gadja Mahda to meet with the task force for reconstruction. They were very responsive and will be a great source for collaboration.
Daraman
The first of 5 more villages we visited. Common themes were that everything was destroyed and a there were piles of bricks, twisted rebar, tents and flattened houses everywhere. In each village we visited, the leaders were thrilled with the dome concept and hoped to be chosen to have their village re-built.
The people are so open and willing to work. They can not possibly afford to rebuild their own homes. Many of them live off of 15 dollars a month.
Pager Gunung
This is the home of the Vice President of the House of Representatives in Bantul province, Heri. His wife is the leader of the village. He is also their Islamic leader. They have no infrastructure at all. Some electrical wires are strung here and there, but there is no sanitation. Heri has assured us he could be of great help to coordinate efforts on the ground. Several things need to be considered, of course. It is clear MCKs (clean-water, laundry, shower and toilet facilities) need to be built.
When building a village from scratch, it is easy and inexpensive to install all the proper utilities. Trying to dig under centuries worth of rubble is
another matter. One thing is for sure: they can not continue to defecate and bathe in the same
water they use to cook and do the laundry.
Pagergunung, Bantul is a part of 21 villages,
making up a Subdistrict. Heri’s wife, Siti, is leader of Pagergunung. Heri has been able to get
some aid from the government, which is virtually
impossible to do, so we know he will be a great
asset and resource for us.
He is a big supporter of the dome concept.
Brajan, Pandak and Bambang Lipuro
Everywhere we went, the villages were densely populated and completely leveled. It wasn’t like there was a house and then a farm and then a house. People live very closely together and walk or ride bikes to work.
We only saw one medical clinic. Healthcare seems to be nonexistent. We also only saw one “playground”. For me, personally, construction of a decent playground for all the beautiful children is a must. It would be a very inexpensive add-on to any project.
Most places we went have not been touched by any NGOs. Their wells are only 3 meters deep. Much of the new “interim” housing that IS being built is simply a bamboo frame, thatched cane matt walls and asbestos sheet roofing-- and that is only for the very lucky, very few. There are thousands and thousands of families here who spent decades building their homes and saw it all destroyed in one morning. They are living in squalor and in very dangerous sanitary situations. They are also the friendliest, open people I have had the pleasure of spending time with.
I am more convinced than ever that the EcoShell is truly the best option for reconstruction efforts here. Because of the efficient use of materials, they can be built for super-cheap. Even just a shell, with no amenities would be a HUGE improvement for many here. Because of their shape, they will not be destroyed in one fateful morning.
The combination of affordability and disaster resistance is key. Ideally, we will have saved enough money in construction of the shells to spend more on sanitation, potable water, running water, roads, drainage, proper electrical wiring and appliances.
It is important to remember that EVERYTHING has been destroyed. Everything needs to be replaced and/or built from scratch.
July 29,
We returned to Pagergunung today. It took us a little while to locate it again, but it was good
we went back. We met with Mrs. Siti Hidayati, the leader of the village, and Heri’s wife, and
one Mr. Dwang. Mr. Dwang is from the forrestry department at Gadja Mada. He and Mrs. Siti
were planning on meeting with the villagers that night to discuss the domes. (update: I received a note from them today that all the villagers signed a paper endorsing the project.)
There are about 21 sub-villages in their area. They are very positive the people will be eager for us to start building.
While I think it is very important not to change the culture of the people, the reality is, they don’t have houses. They have no money to rebuild. They are using their rivers to cook, clean, fish, relieve themselves and shower. In a village of 600 houses, maybe 8 houses are still suitable for occupation. shell, with no amenities would be a HUGE improvement for many here. Because of their shape, they will not be destroyed in one fateful morning.
If interested in donating funds for this project, there is a lot more information available. Please contact Rebecca South at mail@dftw.org for instructions on how to access the additional information.
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