EDUCATING PARENTS, CHILDREN
In Bogor, one preschool educates and supports parents in providing children with nutritious meals.
For instance, better-paid parents help out if others are unable to provide a food item for their child, said Nur Hikmah, principal of Paud Sehat Ceria (Healthy and Happy Preschool in English).
“Those who are unable to afford it are those whose parents’ income is below US$300,” she added.
“If, for example, those with higher salaries make cross subsidies, they help children who are less able to afford it.”
The preschool in Bogor’s Bojonggede village is funded by the Foundation for Mother and Child Health, which works to eliminate malnutrition among children under the age of five and in vulnerable communities.
“In big cities, we have found that for several years, the obesity trend has always been present in our preschool children, so we guide them on their nutritional needs,” said Syifa Andina, chairwoman of the non-profit organisation’s Indonesia office.
At the preschool, parents are taught the recommended nutritional requirements for the meals that they pack for their children to bring to school.
The meals are decided a month prior. Every child brings the same protein, carbohydrate and vegetable from their respective homes. For fruit, they can bring anything they like.
Parents told CNA that healthy meals are important for children’s development.
“Children, whether they like healthy meals or not, must bring them,” said one parent. “If you don’t like it, over time you’ll get used to it.”
Another parent said of her daughter who attends the preschool: “My older children – when they were the same age, their bodies were very small. But this child is healthy and continues to develop well.”
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/indonesia-prabowo-free-meals-programme-food-safety-budget-cuts-logistics-5041951
