At Dharma Care, our mission is to support communities in their journey toward better health and well-being. We’re proud to highlight the recent success of the stunting prevention initiative in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, a region where we’ve partnered with Yayasan Usaha Mulia (YUM) to address one of the most critical health issues facing young children—stunting.
What is Stunting?
Stunting is a condition caused by chronic malnutrition, particularly during a child’s first 1,000 days. It affects not only physical growth but also cognitive development, limiting a child’s ability to reach their full potential. The program aims to prevent this by providing practical, accessible information to parents, caregivers, and community members to ensure children receive proper nutrition and care during these crucial early years.
A Holistic Approach to Prevention
From 2021 to 2024, YUM ran a successful pilot program in Bukit Batu, Central Kalimantan, and based on the insights and outcomes, have expanded and consolidated these efforts. The project is now reaching even more families, with a special focus on grandparents, young couples, and caregivers who play pivotal roles in child development.
Key to their success is empowering local health volunteers, known as kader. These women are essential community leaders who work tirelessly to raise awareness, monitor child growth, and provide education on stunting prevention. Using simple but effective tools like flipcharts and recipe booklets, they equip parents and caregivers with the knowledge they need to ensure their children receive nutritious meals, proper vaccinations, and regular health check-ups.
Impact and Progress
Dharma Care’s contributions played a vital role in making this program a success.
Thanks to our generous donors, we were able to support:
– 250 participants in a Stunting Prevention event that brought together engaged couples, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and their families.
– 70 workshops, reaching 630 participants, including expecting mothers, caregivers, and grandparents.
– The creation and distribution of five types of campaign materials—T-shirts, banners, leaflets, booklets, and recipe books—which were shared with participants of both the event and the workshops.
As of March 2024, 46% of the children in the program have safely passed the critical 1,000-day mark. None of the children in the program have fallen into the stunted category, which is a significant victory for the community and a testament to the hard work of the kader and the families involved.
Overcoming Challenges
Despite the success, the program has faced challenges, such as ensuring that stunting prevention information reaches a wider audience. In response, YUM developed new materials tailored to different groups within the community. Leaflets and booklets have been distributed to newlyweds, young parents, and grandparents—often the primary caregivers in rural areas. Additionally, they hosted a Stunting Prevention event, which attracted over 250 participants, helping spread the word and reinforce the importance of early childhood nutrition.
Case Study
I am a working mother of 3 children. I joined the program when I was 6 months pregnant with my third child. In addition to new knowledge, I learned about what stunting was and how to prevent it, I was also given support during pregnancy until 3 months after giving birth.
I was so happy and relieved that my child’s growth was good and was not stunted once he was 1000 days old. I am grateful to the Kader and YUM for always monitoring my child’s growth.
Because I work all week, my husband and mother take care of my child, but I always pay special attention, especially to his food and I take him to the local health post (Posyandu) for routine checkups and to be vaccinated.
Of my three children, I was more diligent and especially thoughtful about the food I was giving my third child since I now understand what stunting is and because my second child was often sick, and I see now why that might have happened. I am now very eager to provide the best I can since now I know how. My son likes to eat fish and vegetables such as long beans and pumpkin, and he also likes the healthy snacks I am learning to make from the cooking sessions.
I hope that this stunting prevention program may be successful in reaching more pregnant mothers and underprivileged children in fulfilling nutritious food intake.
Looking Ahead
The next steps involve expanding the reach of the program to neighboring areas, continuing to support the kader, and enhancing community engagement through ongoing workshops and events. YUM aim to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow up healthy, strong, and full of potential.
The fight against stunting is far from over, but with community-driven efforts, but significant strides are being made. By empowering parents, caregivers, and local volunteers with the right knowledge and resources, YUM are helping to build a healthier future for children in Central Kalimantan.
If you would like to support these efforts, we invite you to learn more about the program and how you can contribute to the ongoing work at Dharma Care.
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