On a sunny afternoon in Kebumen as we rode our motorcycle slowly. The atmosphere was lively, with villagers attending to their daily tasks as the endless rice fields stretched out before us. After one hour of riding toward Kenteng Village, Pak Muchsinun welcomed us with his warm smile. “Assalamualaikum! You didn’t get lost on your way here, did you?” Pak Muchsinun joked, his laugh warm and welcoming as he greeted us. 

Pak Muchsinun, or Sinun as he’s often called, began his journey with Trees4Trees in 2022 after his farmer friends mentioned it to him. The idea of receiving free seedlings and connecting with other farmers intrigued him. It felt like the perfect opportunity to tackle the pressing environmental issues in Kenteng. 

“We used to receive help, but it never truly focused on solving environmental issues.” He told us that Kenteng faces a difficult balance between landslides during the rainy season and the harsh impacts of the dry season.  

“I’m committed to using what I have to help restore the conditions in this village, and the easiest way to start is by planting trees on my own land.” Therefore, he is grateful and feels fortunate that his land is fertile enough to support trees like teak and albizia.  

His passion for farming inspired him to create a small garden at home, where he grows strawberries, oranges, guavas, chilies, and various horticultural plants. Just like planting trees, gardening brings peace to his heart and excites him, especially when his plants bear fruit. He often shares his harvest with neighbors.  

“The key to gardening is patience and care, especially since the plants I grow are for my consumption, so they need to be full of nutrients,” he explains. Essentially, Pak Muchsinun cannot think of any reason to not farm sustainably because it allows him to move forward and keep maintaining progress for multiple generations. 

Single Parent to His Only Daughter 

A smile rarely left Pak Muchsinun’s face as he spoke of his love for nature and the peace that gardening brings him. But beyond his garden, his biggest responsibility is raising his daughter as a single parent after losing his wife. Though farming keeps him grounded, his dedication as a father is his greatest motivation. 

Leaving behind his office job in Jakarta, Pak Muchsinun made the bold decision to return to his village, Kenteng, and farm full-time while raising his child. Over the past seven years, he’s faced various challenges, such as the long, difficult periods of drought. “I once had to carry water jugs from the village for months to keep my land alive,” he recalls. 

Despite these hardships, he is unwavering in his support of his daughter’s dreams, not necessarily expecting her to follow in his footsteps but wanting to provide her with opportunities beyond farming. 

He admitted that not every day is a good day. Some days are bad, and some days are good. It can be challenging and tough, but he always finds moments of joy in the little things. Like seeing his crops thrive after a long struggle or just by looking at his daughter studying diligently.  

Partnering with Trees4Trees has helped ease some of the burdens. Pak Muchsinun not only receives free seedlings but also fertilizers and training to help his crops flourish. He’s grateful to Trees4Trees and Soboplac for the resources that allow him to focus more on nurturing his land. “The seedlings are free, and the money I would have spent on them can now go toward maintaining the trees,” he says. 

Pak Muchsinun’s story is one of perseverance, love for the land, and dedication to a greener future. He hopes that other farmers will be inspired to advance their villages and support reforestation efforts through programs like Trees4Trees. “Planting trees teaches you patience, and that’s what keeps me going,” he adds with a thoughtful nod. 

But for Pak Muchsinun, the trees represent something much larger than his own farm. Through his work with Trees4Trees, he’s helping to build a community that shares responsibility for the environment. It’s about leaving behind not just a greener Kenteng, but a legacy of hope and stewardship for future generations. 

Written by Teresia Miranti | Source compiled by Lailatul KH | Photograph by Y. Desennita