I

ndonesians know by heart the nation’s longest running reality show “Bedah Rumah” (House Renovation), which ran for seven years starting in 2004 and dedicated each episode to renovating the home of a low-income family.

The show aired on national television network RCTI, showing viewers the process of transforming dilapidated houses into safe and proper homes equipped with new furniture and various appliances.

To maintain the element of surprise, homeowners were picked up by luxury cars and whisked away to spend the night at a high-end hotel, where they were showered with VVIP treatment while waiting for renovations to be completed in only 12 hours. The show’s host, singer Ratna Listy, would escort them back the next day for the big reveal, which usually triggered an emotional reaction and tears of joy.

The Jakarta administration launched a campaign with a similar concept in April, providing free home renovations to residents of the low-income area of Cilincing in North Jakarta.

In collaboration with the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program of several companies, the city’s “Bedah Rumah” program aims at improving living conditions in slum areas. Twenty-three houses have been revamped, while six are in their first phase of construction.

With a target of renovating at least 83 houses, the program has drawn similar reactions from residents.

Nuroyani, 32, has been occupying her newly renovated home since May under the program. Living in a rickety house with seven of her family members, the fried chicken seller saved up for more than seven years to have small renovations. She felt grateful that the city offered to help fix up her home.

The renovation, however, was only able to provide one bedroom, kitchen, living room and one bathroom, as well as one front door, but no back door. The house also has no ceiling, but despite its limitations, Nuroyani expressed her gratitude for the overhaul, which took around two weeks.

“This is our blessing. Even with the money I saved, I could only renovate some parts of the house,” she told The Jakarta Post on Thursday, adding that during the renovation, she rented a room near her home with her husband Dani, 38, and their children.

The renovations brought major changes to her home: it is now made of bricks to replace the once weathered wooden structure, which had a leaking roof that brought further hassle during the rainy seasons — on top of the rushing floodwater.

Another resident, Mochammad Bahri, 39, could not stop smiling while telling the story about his new home. Living with his mother, Siti Muinah, 66 and his four children, Bahri said he was never able to sleep when heavy rain fell at the night, because floodwater could suddenly inundate his home.

His worries eased when the renovation completed in June.

“I don’t have a permanent job and my income is not enough to renovate my home as I have four kids,” Bahri said, adding that he would like to install a ceiling when he has more money.

However, his mother, Siti, said it felt hotter in the house as it had no ceiling separating the living space from its zinc roofing.

“Bedah Rumah” targets to complete renovations on 83 homes in Cilincing by September.

The program’s coordinator from the subdistrict office Marta Hardi Sarwono said residents can have their homes renovated “as long as they have land and building certificates, and agree to the terms and conditions.”