From Father to Kader
Being a posyandu cadre is fun and does not bring down the prestige of a man. This was felt by Moses Moi, a father of two from Woewutu Village, Nagekeo District, NTT. Moses felt multiple benefits when he decided to become a posyandu (integrated health post) cadre.
“I learned a lot about how to properly weigh toddlers and babies. Also how to feed children and babies in a balanced and nutritious manner. I used to did not know at all about that. I thank WVI for this knowledge,” said Moses.
Moses is the head of cadre of the Posyandu Kotapapa, one of the posyandu assisted by Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) in the Nagekeo-Ngada Area Program. Moses is the only male cadre at the posyandu.
Moses starts a duty as posyandu cadre by the trust of people in the sub-village. They chose him as a cadre because of his willingness to work hard and to help anyone. He admitted that his decision to become a cadre was only to provide better things for children. Moses did not even consider the prestige or public opinion of his choice as a cadre. Moses explained that residents in his village still view posyandu cadres as a job for mothers, and not for men.
Moses' big supporter is his wife, Kristina Owa. Kristina's support has also helped shape him to become a good husband and father who is more concerned with his children, in addition to being a good cadre.
“In the past, I did not pay attention to the growth and development of my children because I am the breadwinner. Everything about the children's issue is my wife's part. But now, after becoming a cadre, I understand that raising children is not only the wife's duty but also the husband's duty, the father's duty," he continued.
Moses got to know WVI more closely when he had become a cadre. His meeting with WVI staff in every activity at the posyandu made him slowly understand WVI's duties and services in the village. He also agreed that the presence of WVI in Woewutu Village also changed the face of the village for the better.
"I feel proud to be able to receive direct training from WVI as it is today. I got a lot of knowledge, especially how we pay attention to how to feed babies and children during the Covid-19 pandemic and how to raise children with love. Very useful," he concluded.
He hopes that WVI can also provide training and socialization like what he received to other village residents so that the presence and existence of WVI as a bridge of hope for children in Woewutu Village can be better understood by residents in his village.
Moses Moi keeps changing better. Now he is not just a father to the two sons in his family, but also a "father" to the children in his village. He is taking on an even bigger role. From father to cadre.
Written by: Mordekhai Lalong, Program Area Staff for Wahana Visi Indonesia Nagekeo-Ngada
