Save 50 Youth with Regenerative Agriculture

Karyoso (28), Tarmujo (24) and Ahmad Mundakir (25) were students enrolled at TLF in Batch 5 in 2009. They are from Desa Tombo, Batang, Central Java and initiated a business called ARG Group.

Karyoso is a middle school graduate and used to work as a casual laborer in his town. The skills he learned at TLF life such as farm analysis, marketing and time management have helped shape his future. After graduation, Karyoso worked in Cirebon as an Agricultural Officer and assisted 10 villages in better agricultural practices. He later worked as a facilitator in NGO called MAP in Makassar. Now he has returned home to focus on the coffee business.

Tarmujo is a middle school graduate and was unemployed before enrolling at TLF. Other than learning organic farming, he said that time management and discipline were very useful for him. After his enrollment he tried to start farming at home with Mundakir but it was difficult to survive without income. So he and Mundakir worked in various jobs to save up enough money for their idea.

Mundakir himself is a high school graduate. He had a part time job for few months before enrolling at TLF. He said that TLF has widened his world. The unity and brotherhood also meant a lot to him. He believes that discipline and time management are the key elements needed for his current work life.

Together with other local farmers these three young men have started a business group with various business lines. They have been advocating and assisting local coffee farmers to farm organically. They also have been investing in clove seedlings, a retail store, doing some consultancy, facilitating and training farmers, opened a barber shop and a coffee shop.

Karyoso, Tarmujo and Mundakir are some of numerous alumni that have given us motivation and courage to spread our program and empower more vulnerable youth in Indonesia. “Our lives have taken a 180 degree turn, all thanks to TLF!”