SUKABUMI, WEST JAVA — For 15 years engaged in sheep farming, Kang Uceng admitted that he learned a lot from nature. Not getting livestock education from both parents, nor animal husbandry academics.
On the sidelines of the implementation of Quality Control of sacrificial animals carried out by Dompet Dhuafa at many locations in Kalapanunggal District, Sukabumi, Kang Uceng and other farmers told their stories while eating a bowl of warm meatballs.
His cheerful demeanour made Ghufron as the Dompet Dhuafa National Da’wah Team and QC THK Coordinator in Sukabumi also dissolve in the discussion while taking shelter from the rain that fell since dawn on Tuesday (6/6/2023).
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“This is the prayer and guidance of our teacher, Ustaz Aaron. Honestly, I went to school in nature, can (livestock) from Dompet Dhuafa. Both learn from other breeders in the group. We learn to humanize animals. In the past, you couldn’t just look for grass feed. We used to call it ‘merchandise’, village musicians from stage to stage,” he exclaimed, full of jokes.
“Dompet Dhuafa is coming, we are interested in joining this program because of empowerment. That’s where many people in Kalapanunggal District are open and realize their potential. From an artist, then grew up to be a breeder. From having 6 sheep, about 3 years later (it developed) to 30 heads, “said the Head of the Livestock Group ‘Bashorun Fuadun’.
The man, whose real name is Husein, said that the first year was still concerning. The spirit is finished making the pen, the sheep have not yet come. Still trying to find grass is difficult. Plus, ego constraints between group administrators.
“This Dompet Dhuafa service is extraordinarily beneficial. Being one of the Sharia for us, to unlock our potential and desires. So that we can realize our dreams. As long as we are solid and complement each other, even though we are tired but enjoyed. My principle is to have big dreams, there is desire, hard work, and tenacity,” explained Kang Uceng.
After the first 3 years of raising sheep, he admitted that the result was economically being able to buy a motorcycle and build a house. Yes, the livestock group in Kalapanunggal District is also experiencing rapid development, now there are 9 groups from only 3 groups combined. Until around 2011, they formed the cooperative ‘Riung Mukti’.
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“We set up a cooperative, like a livestock association. From there, inevitably, we begin to be completely independent, finally walking. In 2018 we formed a foundation and established a madrasah for duafa orphans. This is our big dream that we are beginning to realize. The dream in our small village, in remote areas, is education,” concluded Kang Uceng, who also ventured actively as a cultural arts teacher at his madrasa. (Dompet Dhuafa/Dhika Prabowo)