They Built Their Dream Home… Then Lost It Overnight

After years of working abroad and only seeing each other two weeks every two years, Nyoman and Made finally saved enough to build their dream home in Bali. It was their sanctuary, their proof that all their sacrifice and love had been worth it.

But when Nyoman discovered she could not have children, cultural pressures tore everything apart. Because Made’s father’s name was on the deed, he forced them out of the very home they had paid for and built with their own hands.

Now, after 12 years of sacrifice, Nyoman and Made are starting over from nothing, living in a tiny rented room and earning less than $200 each per month. To rebuild today would cost at least $30,000.

✨ Every donation — no matter how small — will help them rebuild their home and future together. Please give if you can, or share their story.

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(Longer version of the story)

Help Nyoman & Made Rebuild the Home They Lost

Hi, I’m Pauline, and I’m raising funds for my dear Balinese friends, Nyoman and her husband, Made — a couple whose love has endured every hardship, yet who have just suffered the devastating loss of their home.

It’s a story of tragedy… but also of an unshakable love.

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A Love Story Across Oceans

Nyoman and Made first met in 2009. At the time, Made was working in Canada in a restaurant, while Nyoman was serving as a massage therapist for a princess in Saudi Arabia. Their love began as a long-distance relationship, with only two short weeks together every two years.

For years, they worked tirelessly abroad, saving every penny with one shared dream: to build a home together in Bali.

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The Dream They Built

After years of sacrifice, they found a small piece of land in Gianyar, close to Ubud where they hoped to work. Because they were abroad, Made’s father signed the contract while they sent the money.

When they returned, Nyoman and Made finally poured their savings — $20,000 USD — into building their modest home and garden. It wasn’t just a house. It was their sanctuary, their future, and their proof that all their years of sacrifice had been worth it.

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A Shattering Loss

As they tried to grow their family, Nyoman discovered she had several large cysts. After surgery, half her uterus was removed, leaving her unable to have children.

In Balinese culture, having children — especially sons — is deeply tied to family lineage and the right to remain in the family compound. Made, as the first and only son, faced immense pressure.

When it became clear they would not have children, Made’s father — whose name was on the land deed — forced them out of the very home they had built and paid for.

12 years of love, sacrifice, and memories were taken away in an instant.

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Choosing Love Over Tradition

In heartbreak, Nyoman even offered to leave so Made could remarry and have children. But Made’s choice was firm:

“I choose you.”

Today, they live in a small rented room they can barely afford, each earning around $200 a month. Their scooter breaks down, they still owe on their car, and now — to rebuild their home — they would need at least $30,000, as land and labor prices have risen.

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Why I’m Asking for Your Help

If you’ve ever been to Bali, you know the warmth, kindness, and generosity of the Balinese people. And if you’ve met Nyoman, you know she is someone truly unforgettable — a woman with a heart bigger than herself, who has spent 23 years healing others with her incredible massage work.

Now, it’s her turn to receive care.

Every single contribution — no matter how small — will help Nyoman and Made rebuild what was unfairly taken from them: a safe, loving home to grow old together.

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Please, if you can, donate or share this story. Together, we can give them back the home that was stolen and restore their dream of building a life filled with love and security.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

Matur suksma (thank you in Balinese),

Pauline, Nyoman & Made