Rosnia, a resilient 53-year-old mother of three, ran a food stall in Omu Market in Sigi District to support her family. Alongside her sister Hadija, she continues a family legacy over five decades, serving delightful Indonesian yellow rice with fried chicken in her village.

Distanced over 50 km from the province capital, Omu Village is nestled amidst lush green fields in a district that was struck by a great earthquake in September 2018. For years, Rosnia and other villagers depended on Omu Market to sell their goods, fostering economic growth, and providing for their families. However, their lives were changed when a devastating earthquake reduced their beloved market to ruins.

The Omu Market was more than just a place for trade; it symbolized community, resilience, and dreams. When the earthquake struck, the market activities stopped for quite some time and plunged many families into uncertainty. With the disruption of livelihoods, Rosnia struggled to ensure the well-being of her family.

Amidst the trying times, a glimmer of hope emerged as news of the market's reconstruction by UNDP reached the village. As a post-disaster recovery project, UNDP implemented the Programme for Earthquake and Tsunami Infrastructure Reconstruction Assistance (PETRA), funded by the Federal Republic of Germany through its development bank, KfW. The reconstruction work, conducted by contactor PT Insan Cita Karya, commenced in August 2021 and was completed in March 2022. PETRA Project went beyond merely rebuilding the market's structure, integrating essential facilities and improvements that would benefit the entire community. Women are also involved in decision-making processes to ensure that gender issues are addressed at all levels.

With joy in her heart, Rosnia witnessed the market reopening, now equipped with clean water facilities, public toilets, and proper waste management systems. These new infrastructures prioritized better hygiene and sanitation, enhancing the overall experience for both buyers and sellers. Built with steel structure with standard specifications adopting the build forward better and safer principles, Omu Market has three halls at the size of 550 sqm. The quake-resistant and disability-friendly design of the market halls was appreciated by all.

“As long as I have been selling here, this is the first time the Omu market has had such complete facilities. Before this, we had difficulty with clean water to use in the market,” said Rosnia.

During the reconstruction phase, traders were temporarily relocated to nearby makeshift markets after extensive coordination and consultation with village authorities and trader groups. The reopening of the Omu market marked a resurgence of economic activity for Rosnia's yellow rice stall and 90 other traders. The improved facilities attracted more customers, leading to increased sales and revenue.