On the island of Lombok in Indonesia, the green mushroom houses of Uus's farm are a testament to her hard work and the support of Islamic Relief's Sustainable Livelihood Project.
"There was a time when uncertainty was the only certainty we had," Uus recalls.
Islamic Relief changed that for us; they gave us the tools and the confidence to grow, not just mushrooms, but our dreams."
The Sustainable Livelihood project in Lombok provides women with training, tools, and equipment, as well as financial support to launch enterprises such as mushroom cultivation.
Uus's mushroom farm has become more than a source of income, it is now a beacon of collective achievement for the community. "We're not just growing mushrooms; we're growing lives," she says.
Her business now harvests up to 40 kilos of fresh mushrooms daily and employs 10 local workers."Islamic Relief taught us to cultivate hope, and now hope blooms in every corner of our farm," Uus. "This farm is our heart," she says warmly, "and it beats strong for our community."
The training and financial support provided by Islamic Relief have helped Uus and her husband develop a thriving business while also planting seeds of self-reliance in her neighbors. For Uus, the message is clear: "When one of us rises, we all rise."
Source: islamic-relief.org.uk