Tawangsari village, nestled in the mountains of Pujon subdistrict in Malang, East Java, has confronted a range of challenges. Most villagers rely on farming for their income, but low education and economic hardships have led many young girls to marry very early. As a result, the village has seen an increasing number of young mothers who often lack knowledge about proper nutrition and childcare. This lack of awareness has contributed to a 3.68 percent stunting rate, where children will grow behind the minimum standards after birth due to poor nutrition.
Motivated by the serious issues posed by stunting to children’s physical and mental development, we launched an “Ibu Hamil Sehat” (Healthy Pregnant Mothers) program to reduce stunting rate. Specifically, we help pregnant mothers in Tawangsari through a holistic program that includes education, healthcare as well as nutrition.
Big Improvement in Reducing Stunting
Ibu Hamil Sehat has reduced the number of stunted children by from 87 to 27, according to data collected by local volunteers. Such a remarkable reduction rate of almost 69% shows the positive impact of our program to help pregnant mothers stay healthy and provide their infants a better start in life. This is achieved by teaching mothers about proper nutrition and health during pregnancy, and then providing them with nutritious food supplements like milk, vitamins, and healthy biscuits, to ensure that both mothers and their babies get the nutrients they need.
Words of Gratitude from a Happy Mother
One participating mother who gave birth during the program is the 22-year-old Nurul Aini. Accompanied with a big smile, Nurul shared her appreciation for the support she received from Dompet Dhuafa.
“Thank you so much to the donors of Dompet Dhuafa USA for the Childbirth Assistance given to all of us in the Ibu Hamil Sehat program. The assistance has been incredibly helpful. I pray that the Dompet Dhuafa USA donors and team are always safe and successful in their activities, that they are blessed with ease, and the organization continues to grow,” Nurul said happily, while holding her newborn baby, who is now 45 days old.
Nurul’s story is just one of many examples of how impactful the Ibu Hamil Sehat program to mothers in Tawangsari. Through financial support and education, mothers are better prepared to take care of themselves and their babies.
How the Program Works
Ibu Hamil Sehat program provides a range of services to help pregnant mothers. These include regular health check-ups, workshops on pregnancy and nutrition, and exercise classes for expectant mothers. The program also gives mothers nutritious food supplements to make sure they are getting the vitamins and minerals they need for a healthy pregnancy.
The program is especially focused on helping low-income families, who often struggle to afford healthcare and proper nutrition. Many of the participants come from communities where resources are very limited. By providing both education and practical support, the Ibu Hamil Sehat program helps ease the financial burden of pregnancy and childbirth.
Through October 14, 2024, Dompet Dhuafa provided Childbirth Assistance of IDR 500,000 to each mother who had completed the program and given birth. This assistance helps families during the early days after childbirth, giving them a bit of relief during this important time.
Looking Ahead
Although Ibu Hamil Sehat program has made significant improvements to reduce stunting in Tawangsari, the work is far from over. To this end, Dompet Dhuafa remains committed to helping more pregnant mothers fight stunting and improve child health. By continuing to provide education, healthcare, and nutrition, the Ibu Hamil Sehat program is making sure that every child has the chance to grow up healthy and strong.
With the help of you as generous donors, local health volunteers, and the determination of mothers like Nurul, the Ibu Hamil Sehat program continues to bring hope and health to families in need. Together, we are making a real difference, one mother and one child at a time.
