Tracing the first 1000 days of life
Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) supports the goal of child nutrition in the first 1,000 days of life by organising a nutrition action campaign at the National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta, on Sunday, May 5th.
WVI invited Monas visitors to drop by Wahana Perjalanan Kehidupan (World of Life Journey) to trace the first 1,000 days of human life, starting from the fetus in the womb until a baby reaches two years old. The campaign is based on the fact that many parents have not provided proper nutrition for their children.
According to 2013 National Basic Health Research (Riskesdas), only 38 percent of Indonesian children enjoy exclusive breastfeeding and only 37 percent of 6-23 month children get sufficient nutrition.
Children with stunting and wasting will have difficulties with learning later on, tend to have lower work productivity, and a higher risk from illness like diabetes and hypertension.
The quality of nutrition that children receive in the first 1,000 days will determine the quality of life in the next thousands days. Stunting and wasting are indicators of children lacking nutrition and this condition will prevent children from reaching their maximum growth.
Around 1,000 people participated in tracing the first 1,000 days of life journey.
Vina, 29, mother of Putri, 8 months, and Selsi, 27 months, said that she was impressed with the life journey exhibit. Vina, who is now providing young child feeding to her second child, uses her time to talk with Posyandu (the Indonesian's Integrated Health Post) cadre in the young child feeding stand.
Nining, 56, who is longing for grandchildren, says, "Thank God I learned that the first 1,000 days of life is very important. I ask my daughter to trace Wahana Perjalanan Kehidupan, so that she will be prepared when she is pregnant." She suggested that WVI prepare fact sheets of the first 1,000 days of life journey and spread them in hospitals.
*Written by Bartolomeus Marsudiharjo, Field Communications officer, World Vision Indonesia