Raffa Maulana, a two-year-old boy from Ai Kangkung Village, West Sumbawa District (KSB), has shown significant growth over the past four months. Raffa’s weight and height have entered the normal category, according to his age.

Baiq Juliantin, Raffa’s mother, excitedly shared the rapid growth of her son. In June 2024, Raffa weighted 10.4 kilograms, then in September became 11.5 kilograms. Raffa’s height also increased 3 centimeters, which in June his height was 80.4 centimeters, then in September measurements became 83.7 centimeters. Baiq explained, Raffa’s average weight gain of 0.4 kilograms per month and height growth of 1.1 centimeters per month, was inseparable from the provision Additional Nutritious Meal (PMT) Recovery Raffa received for 90 days. The meals were served with a 4-star menu and presented in an attractive arrangement.

“I am very grateful that Raffa’s weight and height are now in the normal category according to his age at the last weighing in September. The meals that he received were always arranged attractively by the cadres. Attractive shapes were made, including the presentation of vegetables. My son always excited when his food arrives and his appetite increased. Raffa used to dislike vegetables, but now he even excited to eat moringa vegetables,” said Baiq recalling when her son excitement receiving meals from the Healthy Kitchen for Stunting (DASHAT) team.

Provision Additional Nutritious Meal (PMT) Recovery managed by the DASHAT team is part of the stunting reduction acceleration program, a collaboration between PT Amman Mineral, the West Sumbawa District Government and Yayasan CARE Peduli (YCP), implemented in 16 villages. The DAHSAT team also plays active role in assisting and providing family consultations, including parenting classes, with YCP.

Baiq explained, from the parenting classes provided by the DASHAT Team, she gained a better understanding on the importance of providing food with complete nutrition such as carbohydrates, animal-based protein, plant-based protein and vegetables. According to Baiq, the parenting classes also conveyed the utilization of plants that are easy to be planted in house yard, the meal creation and presentation that favourable to children, and knowledge about child growth and development. Baiq further shared, with Raffa’s increasing preference for vegetables, she has become more active in utilizing her yard by planting various types of vegetables. Now she can fulfil a four-star menu that meets her son’s nutritional needs.

“Now I make food according to his preference. I am happy to be able to fulfil Raffa’s nutritional needs from the vegetables in our yard,” said Baiq.

Muhammad Ikraman, YCP Project Manager in KSB said, Raffa’s growth had stalled due to improper management of food nutrition intake and family economic limitations. He explained, Raffa’s nutritional intake needs were able to be met after Raffa’s mother was active in parenting classes and attended counselling conducted by the DASHAT team.

“Through the parenting classes she attended, Mrs. Baiq can now understand the sources of affordable and nutritious food around her residence. Such as the use of fish as a main source of animal-based protein which is obtained at a low price because the location where she lives is close to the ocean. She also started to raise chickens at her house as alternative source of animal-based protein. Meeting the need for vegetables became easier as Mrs. Baiq now able to pick the veggies from her small garden,” said Ikraman.

Ikraman further shared, Raffa’s development will continue to be monitored to see his growth through the PMT program conducted by Ai Kangkung Village Government (Pemdes). “The support from the Ai Kangkung Village Government is extraordinary. They have allocated existing village funds to run PMT, including counselling sessions related to stunting and providing complementary foods from the local Puskesmas. These efforts are made so that Raffa’s growth continues to develop well and consistently,” he concluded.