Eradicating Infant Malnutrition in East Bali

EBPP is building on the findings of our five-year Malnutrition Research (2019–2024) to strengthen community-level nutrition interventions in Ban Village. We have developed a 27-month scale-up of our evidence-based Family Model Intervention across 19 villages in Ban. With a total funding requirement of USD 58,300, we are currently seeking funding partners to support this evidence-based intervention for families in Ban Village.

The project will focus on early prevention of malnutrition by supporting pregnant women, families with children under two, and adolescent girls — key groups in breaking the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition. To ensure sustainability, we will train local Community Health Post cadres and community leaders with practical skills in nutrition and health education to support lasting change beyond the project period.

Investing in Adolescent Health to Prevent Future Malnutrition

As part of EBPP’s broader nutrition strategy, we continued our monthly iron tablet supplementation program for adolescent girls. Preventing anaemia during adolescence helps improve concentration and school performance today, while preparing girls for healthier pregnancies and reducing the risk of poor birth outcomes in the next generation.

In March and May, we distributed a total of 620 iron tablets to 62 adolescent girls at EBPP junior and senior high schools, with each student receiving a five-week supply during both periods. Each distribution was accompanied by education sessions and discussions to encourage consistent consumption.

We also partnered with the local community health centre to initiate a teenage health post at our Daya Learning Centre, where health officers facilitate activities promoting adolescent health awareness.

EBPP is building on the findings of our five-year Malnutrition field research (2019–2024) to strengthen community-level interventions in Ban Village. We are currently finalising a 27-month project to scale-up our proven Family Model Intervention across the 19 mountain villages in Ban district, focusing on prevention of malnutrition by supporting pregnant women, families with children under two, and adolescent girls — the most critical groups in breaking the cycle of malnutrition and resultant stunting.

To ensure sustainability, we will partner with our local Community Health Centre (Puskesmas Kubu II) to train local Posyandu (community health post) cadres and community leaders, equipping them with practical skills in nutrition and health education. By strengthening local capacity, we will create long-term change that continues beyond the project period.

The program concept, technical framework, and budget have now been finalised. The total funding required is $58,300 USD. We are currently seeking funding partners to help turn this evidence-based plan into meaningful action for families in Ban Village.

Strengthening Anaemia Prevention Among Adolescent Girls

To further support our malnutrition elimination strategy, we continued our monthly iron supplementation program to prevent anaemia. In October, December and January we distributed more than 900 iron tablets to 63 adolescent girls at EBPP junior and senior high schools, each receiving a five-week supply during both periods. Preventing anaemia at this stage is critical, as iron deficiency affects energy, concentration, and school performance today, while also increasing the risk of pregnancy complications in the future and stunting in the next generation.

Each distribution was accompanied by short education sessions and interactive discussions to reinforce safe and consistent consumption. In December, students participated in a fun relay quiz to strengthen understanding, and in January we marked National Nutrition Day by taking one tablet together as a collective commitment to healthy habits.