Child Protection Indonesia Project #46275

Empowering Community Volunteer to Prevent Stunting

by Yayasan Usaha Mulia / Foundation for Noble Work

Project Report | Mar 17, 2026
Teaching Mothers the Power of Nutrition

By Vanessa Reksodipoetro | Project Leader

Dear Friends,

Indonesia faces some of the most challenging nutrition issues in the world, with what experts call a “triple burden of malnutrition”—the coexistence of undernutrition, overweight, and micronutrient deficiencies. One of the most pressing concerns is stunting, which affects a child’s physical and cognitive development.

In Cipanas, West Java, where YUM’s programs operate, the situation is particularly alarming. In some villages, more than 50% of children under the age of five are affected by stunting.

One of the ways YUM works to prevent future cases of stunting is by supporting mothers during pregnancy and throughout their child’s early development. We closely monitor pregnant mothers and provide them with practical information and tools to help them stay healthy during pregnancy.

After the baby is born, we continue to support mothers by encouraging exclusive breastfeeding and by teaching them how to prepare nutritious complementary foods once their babies reach six months of age.

Each month, our team visits several Integrated Health Posts (Posyandu) in the community. One of the most popular activities during these visits is a cooking class for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Our nutritionist develops simple recipes using local ingredients that are affordable and easy to find.

During a recent session, mothers learned how to prepare a protein-rich recipe using minced chicken, rice vermicelli, carrots, and scallions. For families who prefer a plant-based option, the minced chicken can easily be replaced with tofu. The ingredients are mixed together, seasoned lightly with salt, shaped into small meatballs, and then cooked in chicken or vegetable broth.

Simple recipes like these can inspire mothers to experiment with different ingredients while learning about the importance of balanced nutrition for themselves and their children.

Thank you for your continued support of this program. We look forward to sharing more updates from the field in the coming months.

With my sincere appreciation,

Vanessa Reksodipoetro
Executive Director

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Dec 2, 2025
Help Us Support the Women Behind Community Health

By Vanessa Reksodipoetro | Project Leader

The kader in their beautiful uniforms

Dear friends,

As we wrap up the year, I wanted to share a few updates from our health project in Bukit Batu, Central Kalimantan. YUM continues to work closely with 16 local health posts — or Posyandu, as we call them in Indonesia. Each Posyandu is supported by 3 to 5 community health workers, known as kader. These incredible women are truly the heart of maternal and child health in their communities.

Every month, in the six villages where we work, the Posyandu open their doors to mothers, babies, toddlers, and pregnant women for regular check-ups. These visits help ensure that children are growing well and that pregnant mothers stay healthy throughout their pregnancy. Children are weighed and measured to monitor their growth and prevent stunting, while pregnant mothers also get their mid–upper arm circumference (MUAC) checked — an important indicator for detecting early signs of malnutrition.

Each kader has her own role: registering families, weighing the children, measuring height, checking MUAC, offering guidance to mothers, and sharing information about breastfeeding, nutrition, and healthy pregnancy. But their contribution goes far beyond their monthly duties. The kader are our closest partners — they help mobilize the community, share essential messages, and make sure our programs truly reach the people who need them most. Their dedication is inspiring, and we deeply hope you’ll continue supporting their amazing work.

And since today is Giving Tuesday, it’s the perfect time to make a difference. Thanks to GlobalGiving’s $500,000 matching funds, every donation you make today will be boosted. Your support helps unlock additional funds and creates an even greater impact. Matching is only available for 36 hours — from Dec. 2 at 12 a.m. until Dec. 3 at 12 p.m. EST — so please don’t wait to make your gift go even further.

With gratitude,

Vanessa

Registration process at the beginning of Posyandu

Weighing babies to check their nutritional status

Checking baby's head to monitor brain development

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Aug 4, 2025
The quiet strength behind community health in rural Indonesia

By Vanessa Reksodipoetro | Project Leader

In the heart of rural Bukit Batu, where access to healthcare is limited and health education is often scarce, dedicated women are quietly transforming lives. One of them is a Posyandu (Integrated Health Post) volunteer who has spent the past 27 years serving her community with unwavering commitment.

Her journey began not with formal training, but with a simple joy: watching young children being weighed under a tree during Posyandu sessions. Their innocence and laughter sparked something within her—a calling to help ensure that children grow up healthy and that mothers receive the support they need. What began as a casual interest soon blossomed into a life of purpose.

“I used to be very nervous about speaking in public,” she recalls. “But with my husband’s encouragement and the training provided by YUM (Yayasan Usaha Mulia), I slowly found my voice.” Today, she stands confidently before crowds, educating families on crucial topics like nutrition, stunting prevention, and maternal and child health. More than just delivering information, she now leads outreach efforts, actively visiting homes and supporting families directly in their environments.

But the work is not without its challenges. Some children are afraid of being weighed or receiving immunizations, and some mothers are reluctant to attend the monthly Posyandu sessions. Yet, for this dedicated cadre, the small victories—the smile of a healthy baby, the gratitude of a young mother—make every challenge worthwhile.

She speaks with deep appreciation for YUM’s support, especially their supplementary feeding and stunting prevention programs that have made a tangible difference for pregnant women and toddlers in the village. “I’m proud to be part of this change,” she says. “To share what I’ve learned and be a small part of something bigger for my community.”

As she looks ahead, her hope is clear: that YUM continues to walk alongside the community, helping more children grow up strong and healthy. Her story is a testament to the strength, resilience, and impact of rural women volunteers—unsung heroes who are quietly building healthier futures for the next generation.

Thanks to your generous contributions, YUM continues to support 16 Posyandu in Bukit Batu and the dedicated women volunteers who show up every month. We are deeply grateful, and hope that you will continue on this journey with us.

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