The Power of Local Food: A Father's Journey for His Child Nutrition

Nutrition Post is a strategic innovation designed to accelerate improvements in children's nutritional status in a rapid, healthy, and sustainable way. In its implementation, Nutrition Post classes don't just focus on providing nutritious food; they also build positive habits for parents through four key pillars. First, parents learn to understand the right and healthy nutrition for their children. Second, they apply good parenting practices while accompanying their children during mealtimes. Third, they maintain a clean environment and practice good hygiene. And fourth, parents must actively use healthcare facilities when their children have health problems. When these four aspects are consistently applied by parents, the success of the Pos Gizi programme will be greater and have a real impact on children's growth and development. One of the real impacts was experienced by Alfianus's family, who live in Nagekeo Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. 

Alfianus works as a farmer. He also likes to catch eels and freshwater fish in the river to supplement his family's income. He usually sells his catch because he feels it's unsafe for his children to eat. "I'm afraid they'll be allergic," he said. 

"One day, the village health worker came and told me my son, Sisko, would be joining the Nutrition Post class because he was undernourished. At the time, I was sad and worried, but also grateful that there was hope to help my son become healthier," he explained. The health worker told Alfianus that the Nutrition Post class was a form of good support where parents would learn many important things about children's nutrition. 

As a father, Alfianus didn't hesitate to participate fully. "During the programme, from the first day until the weight monitoring on day 30, 60, and 90, I was always the one who took and accompanied my son. I really wanted to learn and make sure my son got the best," said the 35-year-old. 

In the Nutrition Post class, he learned many new things. He learned that children's food must contain protein, vegetables, and fruit—something he rarely gave them at home. The most surprising thing for Alfianus was when the nutritionist explained that freshwater eels, which he had always sold, were actually very high in protein and excellent for children. 

"I felt like I had a light bulb moment. All this time, I had been missing a source of nutrition that was right in front of me. Since then, my wife and I have started including eels in our children's meals at home. We prepared them in the way we were taught in class, and it turns out my son loves them. My fear about allergies was unfounded. My son eats them with gusto and shows no reaction," he said. 

Alfianus faithfully practised the knowledge from Nutrition Post every day. He was very grateful when his efforts started to show real results. "My son's weight, which was initially 9.7 kg, increased to 10.7 kg after 90 days of attending the class. Nutrition Post not only helped my son overcome his nutritional problems but also changed my perspective as a parent. I learned that nutritious food doesn't have to be expensive; sometimes it's right around us, we just don't know its value yet," concluded Alfianus. 

Alfianus and his family live in a village supported by Wahana Visi Indonesia. The Nutrition Post activities in his village are the result of a collaboration between WVI and its local partner, Yakkestra, with local health workers. 

Author: Yuliana Pesa (Field staff for WVI’s operational area in Nagekeo) 

Editor: Mariana Kurniawati (Communication Executive)