Agus: There is No Reason to Give Up

Agus Kusnadi (44) has got a lung disease since 2007, which restrains him from driving truck to transport cargo out of town. Since then, he had to leave the job he’d been keeping for decades.

Leaving his livelihood, Agus, who is married to Imas Awaliyah (40), was barely employed. He could only submit to God, while confused what to do for a living. As the head of household, he felt responsible to support his wife and three young children.

“I looked forward to working, but I couldn’t drive anymore,” said Agus, who lives in Kampung Sukalilah, Sindang Galih Village, Sub-district of Karang Tengah, Garut Regency, not long ago.

Having limited fund, Agus only had his condition checked at the nearest Community Health Center to obtain TB medicine each month. He only received modest treatment at the Center that he could not fully recover.

In his demoralization, Agus got information from a neighbor that their village would receive Breeder Empowerment Program from Kampoeng Ternak (Livestock Kampong) of Dompet Dhuafa. He didn’t waste the opportunity. In 2008, Agus got a chance to be a trainee partner of Kampoeng Ternak by joining Galih Wesi Garut Group, and received five sheep.

“Thank God, I could still become a partner of Kampoeng Ternak. I cannot drive anymore, but at least I could still mow grass. Doctor also advised him to get himself under the sun. And cutting grass helps improving blood circulation,” said Agus gratefully.

Agus thinks that fulfilling cattle trust from Kampoeng Ternak grows the animals in number and also helps developing his wife’s business. The breeding stock sheep have produced lambs and he can use it to pay his children’s school fee. His wife’s business also grows as she receives many sewing orders for school and employee uniforms.

“There’s no reason to give up,” he concluded. [cip]