LAMPUNG —-— Meet Yuliani (57), a resident of Sentra Tahu Village, Gadingrejo Subdistrict, Pringsewu Regency, Lampung—a woman who persevered and rose to success through her livestock business. This mother of two worked as hard as she could to support her family and send her children to college, all on her own. Her child has now successfully earned a bachelor’s degree in Forestry Management with a specialization in Food Quality Assurance. Yuli hopes her child will follow in her footsteps as a livestock farmer.
Yuliani’s life journey has not been easy. From 2001 to 2010, she worked as a scrap collector. Her business came to a halt when she had to care for her ailing husband, causing the family’s financial situation to deteriorate. To ensure her children could continue their education through college, Yuliani decided to work as a female migrant worker (TKW) in Taiwan for six years.
Upon returning from abroad, she started a livestock business with 20 goats. She chose to live alone in the area around her pen to enjoy the peaceful and serene atmosphere. The world of livestock is nothing new to her. Since childhood, she has been accustomed to seeing her parents farm and raise livestock. In her view, the professions most resilient under any circumstances are livestock farming and agriculture.
Read also: Amid Economic Hardship, Qurban for Remote Areas Is Needed More Than Ever
Along the way, Yuliani faced a difficult period when her livestock was struck by a blood parasite disease. She also faced skepticism from those around her. However, Yuli persevered, learned, and improved her livestock care methods. As a result, the business she started has gradually become a stable source of income for her family.
“Perhaps this is a blessing. Whatever I can do, I do. I no longer worry about my age. I just stay optimistic as I go through it,” she said.
Yuliani hopes that her children will one day be able to continue the business she has built. She also wants to share her livestock knowledge with the local community so that more residents can become economically self-reliant.
Since joining and partnering with Dompet Dhuafa’s Lampung Branch in 2024, Yuli’s livestock business has continued to grow. A more stable income allows her to meet her family’s needs with greater peace of mind. On the other hand, she feels proud that the livestock she cares for can serve as sacrificial animals, the benefits of which are felt by many people.
Rios, a program facilitator for DD Farm who also focuses on the Sacrificial Animal Distribution Program (THK), explained that every year they must ensure the selected farmer partners are truly honest, competent, trustworthy, and have a positive influence in the community. This is crucial for the quality of the sacrificial animals, as Dompet Dhuafa enforces strict Quality Control (QC) standards before animals are deemed suitable for distribution.
Yuliani initially partnered with us solely as a livestock feed supplier. However, seeing her consistency, perseverance, and the way she cared for her livestock, Dompet Dhuafa Lampung subsequently placed greater trust in her.
“Mrs. Yuli initially only helped with feed supply. But we saw firsthand how she cared for her livestock, her discipline, and her commitment. From there, we trusted her, and now she is involved in managing the Tebar Hewan Kurban program with us,” explained Rios.
This trust is proof that Yuliani’s perseverance not only impacts her family but also provides broader benefits through the humanitarian programs run by Dompet Dhuafa Lampung. And she has proven that women can also do whatever they set their minds to.
“Women shouldn’t just rely on others. We don’t know how long we can depend on our husbands. Women must be empowered, able to earn a living without neglecting their families,” said Yuliani.
For Yuliani, caring for each animal is not just about the business—it’s also about the benefits that reach those in need. To many women in her community, Yuliani is not just a farmer, but an inspirational figure who proves that women can care for their families while also achieving economic independence.
This is a cycle of benefit. Your sacrifice doesn’t stop in one place; it flows, empowers, and brings life. Let’s collaborate again this year. Perfect your worship; expand your impact. Every donor who makes a sacrifice through digital.dompetdhuafa.org/kurban at Dompet Dhuafa has contributed to empowering small-scale farmers. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Ayu Nadia, Aryo Prasojo
Editor: Dhika