Land and Capital Assistance for Farming Eases the Burden of This Single Parent Mother
In the village of Pematang Pao, North Sumatra, farming is the main livelihood for many families. However, the majority of the population only works as daily farm laborers because they do not own land. The desire to own land is often hindered by a lack of capital, causing many to choose to continue as laborers or rent land with the hope of one day being able to purchase it.
Seeing this situation, Obor Berkat Indonesia (OBI) has stepped in to provide farming capital assistance to 10 farming families in this community since 2023. This support has enabled them to maximize the potential of the land they rent without the burden of debt for farming capital.
Mrs. Posmaida (37 years old), a single mother with one child, is one of the beneficiaries of OBI’s support. Since her husband’s death due to illness, she has had to struggle on her own to raise her only child. Although she works as an honorary teacher at two schools, her salary is often paid irregularly. This is why she utilizes her spare time after teaching in the afternoons to work as a farm laborer, enabling her to cover expenses when her school salary is delayed.
When asked, “Do you long to own land?” she eagerly responded, “Yes, owning my own land has been my dream for a long time.”
Life-Changing Farmland and Farming Capital Assistance
Mrs. Posmaida’s longing to make ends meet through farming was finally realized! The church where she worships offered support by providing half a hectare of land for her to cultivate. With the available land, OBI stepped in to provide farming capital assistance as a step to ease her burden.
At the end of 2023, assistance was provided in the form of seeds, fertilizers, pest control products, and other farming equipment. With great enthusiasm, she cultivated the rented land. Despite facing the challenges of a long dry season and unexpected pest attacks, which caused a slight decrease in the harvest, Mrs. Posmaida remains grateful as she was still able to use the proceeds from the sale to fund her next farming season and support her family’s daily needs.
She said, “I am grateful because part of this harvest can be used as capital for the next farming season and part of it to meet our daily needs.”
Now, she has planted corn for the second time and is awaiting the harvest. She hopes that this harvest will be better so she can use the proceeds for future farming capital, help other farmers in need, and meet her family’s needs. Additionally, she hopes to save for her child’s education expenses until university.
“The assistance from OBI has truly been a great help for small communities like mine. It allows me to work hard to provide for my child’s education in the future. Thank you, OBI, my prayer is that you continue to be successful and blessed,” said Mrs. Posmaida.
Thank you, OBI partners, you have changed the lives of many families in need. Let’s continue this kindness to help more families across the nation.
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