Empowering Women in Kalimantan to Prevent Stunting

In the heart of the local community in Bukit Batu, Central Kalimantan, a 22-year-old mother of three discovered self-growth during her second pregnancy. This is what D has to say about her journey from awareness to active participation that helps in ensuring the well-being and healthy growth of her children:

“I learned about the stunting program during the third month of my second pregnancy through women volunteer health workers (kader) from a nearby community-run Integrated Health Post (Posyandu). They were actively promoting stunting prevention to me and other pregnant women in our area.

I found the nutritional packages I received during the program highly beneficial. The packages did not only help me in ensuring that I received the nutrients I needed during my pregnancy, the packages also showed me just how much, and the kind of variety of nutritious food that I need to consume on a daily basis to ensure a healthy pregnancy. On top of that, I received knowledge surrounding stunting prevention which helped me become more aware of the do’s and don’ts for pregnant women.

Moreover, I was thrilled when I discovered a free ultrasound was offered, a service I missed during my first pregnancy. On the day of the ultrasound, I was overjoyed when I learned that I was expecting twins!

In the first few months, it was challenging for me caring for two babies and I missed my regular visits to the community-run Integrated Health Post (Posyandu). However, the dedicated women volunteer health worker (kader) continued monitoring my twins’ growth through home visits. Now, I actively participate in monthly weigh-ins and measurements for my children.

In the past, with my first child, I was worried about the child's body looking small, but for my twins it is not a burden because I already know how to measure their growth and thankfully every month the children's weight and height always increase. I am grateful that, so far, I find no burden in my twins' growth journey, as I am better informed and prepared.” 

Thank you for your continuous support to help mothers in Central Kalimantan to ensure their babies are born healthy and prevent stunting! If you are able, we would appreciate it if you could set up a monthly donation through GlobalGiving as this provides us with  a sustainable source of funds. Right now, new monthly donations will have their first donation matched by GlobalGiving at 100%.