Aceh – Indonesia, Being elderly does not mean stopping to be productive. Five elderly women in Lamlhom Village, Aceh Besar, remain productive by collectively developing a free-range poultry farming business. Beyond being a productive activity, the initiative also opens up opportunities for additional income for the group members.
The spirit of these elderly women received support through the Resilient Elderly Women from Lamlhom (LAWANG LAMLHOM) program, initiated and developed by PT Solusi Bangun Andalas. The program is designed to foster economic independence while strengthening the role of elderly women to remain active and empowered within the community.
These empowerment efforts gained recognition through the Women’s Service Award for Companies, Communities & the Nation (Perempuan Berbakti) 2026.
The award serves as an appreciation for the LAWANG LAMLHOM program’s contribution to creating spaces for productivity and economic empowerment for elderly women around the Company’s operational areas.
From Assistance to a Sustainable Business
General Affairs & Community Relation Manager of Solusi Bangun Andalas, Tafaul Rijal, stated that the LAWANG LAMLHOM program was not designed merely to provide aid, but to build the group’s capacity to run a business independently.
“Elderly women still possess potential and experience that can be developed. Through LAWANG LAMLHOM, we want to provide space for them to stay active, productive, and have the opportunity to enhance their economic independence. Therefore, the support we provide does not stop at facilities, but also includes mentoring so the business can continue to run,” said Tafaul.
To establish a more structured farming business, Solusi Bangun Andalas provided comprehensive support, starting from constructing chicken coops and basic farming equipment to strengthening administrative and business legality aspects, such as obtaining a Business Identification Number (NIB) and Micro and Small Business Permit (IUMK).
Beyond infrastructure support, the group also received simple business bookkeeping training. This training aims to enable members to record income and expenses, manage group finances, and track business growth in an orderly and transparent manner.
Through this approach, LAWANG LAMLHOM is directed not only to be an empowerment activity, but to evolve into a group enterprise capable of delivering sustainable economic benefits.
Providing Productive Activities and Income Opportunities
For the Lampoh Keude group, the benefits of the program are already being felt in their daily lives. The farming activities provide members with a productive shared routine while opening up opportunities to earn additional income.
The Head of the Lampoh Keude Group, Mursyidah, shared that the activity has brought renewed enthusiasm to her and fellow members. According to her, the support provided went beyond physical assistance to include knowledge and mentoring that helped the group understand how to manage a business.
“Now we have activities together. Instead of just staying at home, we can gather and manage our business together. We can also earn extra income from this endeavor. We are grateful for the opportunity to develop this free-range poultry farm together,” Mursyidah said.
Company Drives Community Independence Around Operational Areas
Tafaul added that the success of a community empowerment program is measured not just by the aid distributed, but by the community’s ability to sustain and grow the initiative independently.
“Our hope is that this group becomes increasingly capable of managing its own business, both technically in poultry farming and in financial management. We want the support provided to serve as initial capital for the group to grow and generate broader benefits,” he remarked.
Through LAWANG LAMLHOM, Solusi Bangun Andalas continues to reinforce its commitment to inclusive and sustainable economic community empowerment, particularly for women’s groups around the Company’s operational areas.
The 2026 Perempuan Berbakti Award carried the theme “Responsible Business in Supporting Asta Cita” and served as an appreciation event for women and various stakeholders contributing to community development and enhancing socio-economic conditions.
For Solusi Bangun Andalas, the recognition serves as motivation to continue developing empowerment programs that deliver tangible impacts, foster independence, and create long-term benefits for the people of Aceh, especially around the Company’s operational areas. (*)