Since 2008, we at Alam Sehat Lestari have been running the “Goats for Widows” program. To date, 277 widows have benefited, and a total of 389 goats have been distributed across villages surrounding the forest. This program was born from our belief that empowering women—especially widows—is key to both keeping the forest healthy and improving family livelihoods. In 2025, we once again distributed 18 goats to 15 widows in Gunung Sembilan Village, Sukadana, Kayong Utara Regency. Each mother received one female goat, while three male goats were loaned out in rotation so that all participants could benefit from breeding opportunities.

Why goats? Because they are relatively easy to care for, reproduce quickly, and their feed can be sourced locally from leaves and grasses. This way, the mothers are not burdened by complicated maintenance, but instead supported with a sustainable way to improve family income.

What makes us proud is that many of the goats distributed this time came from the returns of previous recipients, while others were purchased directly from widows who had already become independent. We also established a simple contract with every new participant: after successful breeding, one female goat must be returned to us. That goat will then be passed on to another widow, ensuring the cycle of benefits continues and expands.

The process took time. Since April 2025, we have worked with the village government to collect data on potential recipients, conducted home surveys, and provided training on goat pen construction together with the Department of Agriculture. Finally, in August 2025, we officially handed over the goats to 15 widows in Gunung Sembilan.

For us, every smile and new hope from these mothers is a reminder that forest conservation and community wellbeing can go hand in hand.