JAKARTA – A growing number of Indonesians are developing awareness of prenatal nutrition, which ensures sustenance for a newborn’s first 1,000 days. Among them is a mother of three kids named Siti Fatimah (34). With another child on the way, the young woman endlessly strives to meet her daily needs in the months leading up to delivery.
Luckily, she is able to find healthy foods at affordable rates using bits of Internet knowledge and tips from health institutions. But despite the convenience, she remains grateful for all the help with her pregnancy.
On a day not too long ago, Fatimah eagerly made her way to the Pancoran subdistrict office, where dozens of mothers like her are waiting in the courtyard for Korindo Foundation’s nutritional kits.
“I feel so grateful for this kit, this is such a great help. As far as I remember, I don’t think I’ve ever seen any aid for expecting mothers, so thank you, Korindo Foundation. May Korindo go far and prosper,” she said to the PR team after the handover event ended.
A single kit or package consists of nutrient-rich food ingredients such as mung beans, palm sugar, milk, pregnancy biscuits, and fresh eggs. 100 of these were distributed to beneficiaries in the subdistrict’s six urban villages.
“Korindo Foundation constantly seeks to improve public health quality through initiatives like nutritional kit donation for local pregnant women. This is especially important for early stunting prevention, as we know the golden period takes place within the first 1,000 days of life, from when the fetus is formed in the womb,” said Korindo Foundation’s general secretary at the handover Wednesday (7/3).
Meanwhile, Pancoran subdistrict secretary Rachmat Mulyadi praised Korindo Foundation and asked the audience to take better care of their health and watch their nutritional intake.
“I’m asking everyone here to not only think of yourselves, but also of the baby inside your womb. Don’t just picture [their lives in] the next 5 to 10 years, go further. Maybe these kids will be doctors in the future, or lead an urban village.”
The first 1,000 days itself alludes to the 270 days (9 months) of gestation and 730 days (2 years) of early toddlerhood. Through the nutritional kits, Korindo Foundation is paying attention to this phase, which can be critical for improving physical and cognitive development. (PR)