Muslim used to struggle to meet his family basic needs. During dry season he used to work as farmer at swampy farming land. Due to very limited farming land, the harvest can not meet his family need. His day-laborer work at nearby sugar company was also sporadic. In other time, Muslim used to catch fish from nearby swamp to get additional money for his family. For the Muslims, life was a day-to-day struggle for meals. Muslim constantly worried about where the next meal for his family would come from. 

The new chapter of the Muslims lives began when on 16 September 2005 Muslim received 5 passed on sheep along with some money for animal house, and some veterinary supplies from Nikman, his neighbor who joining Heifer project earlier.  Furthermore he also received appropriate trainings. Passed on sheep are growing well, they all healthy and productive. He has up to 25 sheep. In September 2006, Muslim changing himself, from receiver to be a giver!. Muslim passed on resources he ever received to other needy family.

Muslim sold 12 sheep to buy a cattle and to have working capital to cultivate horticulture. His remaining sheep are raised by his neighbor on profit sharing basis, due to local beliefs that it is not good to raise cattle and sheep/ goat together.

Now, the Muslims’ lives far better and enabling a brighter future ahead for his son.  Muslim planned to improve his home condition and to have his own farming land from selling his livestock in the near future. Smiling, Muslim added: “My family lives is going far better now, it is because of Heifer’s pass on !”

(Story supplied by YKMP,
re-wrote and translated by Supriyono)

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