WEST JAVA — “After Dompet Dhuafa came with this program, we began to realize the great potential in our village,” said Husein, a man affectionately known as Kang Uceng by the residents of Kalapanunggal, Sukabumi. Those words are not just an expression of enthusiasm, but a testament to his long and winding journey. From a musician performing on stage to stage, he is now a successful farmer and community leader.
For 17 years, Kang Uceng has dedicated himself to sheep farming. A skill he didn’t learn in school or from his parents, but from nature and fellow farmers who shared the same struggles.
“When it comes to livestock, my school was nature. Back then, I couldn’t even find grass,” he told the Dompet Dhuafa team in 2024, laughing as he recalled the difficult early days.
Kang Uceng’s life began to change when Dompet Dhuafa came to his village through the Tebar Hewan Kurban (THK) program. This program not only collects livestock for sacrifice but also empowers small-scale farmers in rural areas to become self-reliant and prosperous. Kang Uceng, who at the time still had six sheep, saw a great opportunity in this program, both financially and socially.
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The journey was certainly not easy at first. In the first year, he felt quite concerned. He was enthusiastic about building a pen, but the sheep had not yet arrived. Sometimes it was difficult to find grass. Not to mention the ego among the group leaders, which had become an obstacle. But thanks to the guidance from this empowerment program, Kang Uceng slowly learned to build a solid group.
“The key is to support one another. It’s tiring, yes. But if you enjoy it, it becomes a blessing. My principle is simple: have big dreams, strong intentions, work hard, and be persistent,” he said confidently.
Within three years, tangible results began to emerge. His livestock grew from six to over thirty. Economically, he was able to buy a motorcycle and build his own house—something that was once just a dream. Kang Uceng was also entrusted to lead the ‘Bashorun Fuadun’ livestock group, which is now one of the most reliable groups in Kalapanunggal.
Not only individuals, but the entire farming community in his village also experienced rapid development. From just three groups initially, there are now nine groups that support one another. In 2011, they established the ‘Riung Mukti’ cooperative as a platform to manage livestock products independently.
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However, Kang Uceng’s dream turned out to be bigger than just raising livestock. In 2018, together with his friends, he established a foundation and built a madrasah for orphans and underprivileged children in his village.
“This is the big dream we’ve been working toward, and it’s starting to come true. In this small village, in the remote area, there’s now education for our children. I also teach cultural arts there,” he said proudly.
To this day, Kang Uceng continues to serve the wider community around him. The social spirit and values of togetherness he instills in every step he takes are largely inspired by the THK Dompet Dhuafa program. For him, farming is not just about making a living, but a way to build the village, support the weak, and realize shared dreams.
The impact of sacrificial offerings at Dompet Dhuafa is significant for small-scale farmers. Every donor who makes a sacrificial offering through digital.dompetdhuafa.org/kurban at Dompet Dhuafa has contributed to empowering small-scale farmers. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Riza Muthohar, Dhika
Editor: Dhika
