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 The
love that Mr. Atim (60 years) and his grandson Rian (9 years) have
for their cow from Heifer encourages and inspires them to treat it
as if it were "human" and a "friend".
Mr. Atim's poor family lives
in the village of Bumi Ayu in Lampung province, where electricity
has not yet been provided. He was chosen by his farmer group to
receive a cow from Heifer. His group, with assistance from their
partner organization Yabima, bought several cattle at once. The
farmers drew lots to determine which heifer they would get.
"Whatever I receive, I am sure that it is because of God's
blessing and I will manage and use the cow well", said Mr.
Atim after he received the smallest cow available. Using his local
knowledge and experience, he bathed the cow daily with hot water
during the first few weeks after he received her. After
bathing, the cow always ate much more. Slowly the cow grew fatter
until it was no longer small and thin. Many group members recall
that Mr. Atim's cow was the smallest one, but that through his
patience and care the cow is now as large and healthy as the other
heifers.
Rian is the second person in
Mr. Atim's family that has grown fond of the heifer. Rian lives
with his grandfather, Mr. Atim, who provides almost everything
that Rian requires. Currently in third grade, he is always the top
in his class. In the afternoon, after returning from school, Rian
and six of his friends take the heifer to graze in the fields.
Sometime Rian and his friends study and do their homework while
the heifer is grazing. Everyday, Rian is close to his friends and
heifer, playing and studying like children all over the world.
When Rian was asked,
"What would you like to be when you grow up?", he
replied, "a doctor". "What kind of doctor?" he
was asked again. Rian replied very clearly, but with a hint of
shyness on his face, "A cow doctor".
This
story is from the Raising Family
Income with Ongole and Bali Cattle
Project
Story by Abdul Sam Mahyudin,
Heifer Indonesia
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