7 Indonesian kids buy sacrificial cow after saving a year

By Surya Fachrizal

JAKARTA (AA) - Seven children from Bogor City, Indonesia bought a cow for Eid al-Adha sacrifice after saving nearly a year.

The seven children, aged from eight to 18 years, willing to cut half of their pocket money every day for ten months to fulfill their dreams of sacrificing a cow for Eid.

"As children, we also want to share with the community," Antoni, (12) one of the children who joined the cow joint venture, told Anadolu Agency on Sunday, in Bogor.

The children were named, Antoni (12), Abu Bakar Sidik (13), Zhilal (11), Syauqi (11), Fauzan (11), Sukatma (12), and Yudi (18).

Antoni said, the joint venture idea came from a friend named Abu Bakar Sidik (13). The invitation was made by Abu Bakar to his fellow friends at the As-Salaf Mosque, Ardio Village, Bogor, in September last year.

At that time they agreed that each child would save 10,000 rupiah (0.7 dollar) every day. They estimated the saving could take times around 10 months.

Anton admitted, initially there were 13 children who saved. They want to buy 2 cows. But in the end only seven children who committed to save till last period.

Antoni said, their parents were very supportive. Even Fauzan's mother, Yani Maryani, was willing to help them receive savings deposits every day.

Antoni said, in June 2019 they succeeded collecting 21 million and seven hundred thousand Rupiah. That was around $1,477.

"So every child saves around 3 million one hundred thousand rupiah," said Antoni, who is in first grade of junior high school.

With that money they bought a cow weighing 425 kilograms, worth 21 million rupiah.

Antoni said, apparently the cattle seller was moved by their struggle to collect money for almost a year.

“He gave us discount for one million rupiah,” Antoni said with a smile.

- Motivation for others

Antoni said, their success in buying cow made the other children enthusiastic. At present, he said, there are already 14 children who have started saving to buy cows so they can sacrifice next year.

Syam Makmur, one of the parents of the seven children, claimed to be proud of the children's persistence.

He claimed the children's efforts were a subject of introspection for parents like him.

"I am grateful and proud of their initiative. We as parents are not all like them, "said Syam.

Not only their parents are proud, these children also feel proud and sad at the same time.

"I feel sad, because I love the cow," added Antoni.