Elderly Couple in Pangandaran: 20 Years in a Fragile Home Facing Eviction, Husband Diagnosed with Malignant Tumor

PANGANDARAN, KOMPAS.com - For nearly 20 years, elderly couple Kersem (60) and Mansur (65) have lived in a simple house in Warung Bungur Block, RT 1 RW 6, Empangsari Hamlet, Kalipucang Village, Kalipucang District, Pangandaran Regency, West Java.

Their home has grown increasingly fragile over time.

The roof now has many gaps, allowing outdoor air to easily enter the house.

For Mansur, the night air creeping through the roof feels especially cold.

His thin body is also battling a serious health condition after being diagnosed with a malignant tumor more than a year ago.

“It’s like this now. Sometimes it feels really cold,” said Kersem.

To cope at night, Kersem stacks clothes and fabrics inside the house.

These clothes are prepared to be used when the air turns colder.

The house itself lacks full facilities inside the main building.

The bathroom and kitchen are located outside the house.

“The toilet is outside separately. The kitchen is also outside. So if you want to go to the toilet at night, you have to go out,” Kersem explained.

Nearby their home is a small food stall that used to be the livelihood for Kersem and Mansur.

Kersem still remembers when that stall was crowded with customers.

At that time, the food they cooked for sale filled the cabinets at the stall.

“A lot of people used to eat here. The cabinets were packed with food,” said Kersem.