Pertamina Partners with the Kitong Foundation to Complete Stunting in Indonesian Children through Education

PT Pertamina launched the first stunting reduction program: "BERSINAR" which will reach 1,000 Indonesian children in the outermost areas, namely in Papua and West Papua. To carry out this project, Pertamina is collaborating with a local Papuan foundation that has had a lot of experience in the world of education and child development: the Kitong Bisa, or better known as the Kitong Bisa Foundation (KBF).

Bersinar is a program that aims to provide assistance to children of growing age, namely 5-12 years, through a series of training and assistance to students and parents regarding the importance of nutritional balance. . In this two-month project, KBF will not only provide educational programs, but also assistance with limited nutritional intake as an example that students and parents can see directly.

"Currently we are also in discussions with Nestle and Youfit, two large companies that produce children's food, to support the big vision of the Kitong Bisa Foundation in reducing stunting, and Pertamina as one of the largest state-owned enterprises in Indonesia, has shown its commitment and set an example for companies. -other companies in Indonesia”, said Annes Faidiban, Main Director of the Kitong Bisa Foundation

Annes also explained the commitment from KBF to support President Joko Widodo's big directive to reduce stunting to 0% in 2024. For this reason, KBF will implement this program in all of its learning centers, both in Papua and in other provinces in Indonesia.

The activities of the Bersinar Project will run for two months in the Sorong - West Papua and Jayapura - Papua regions, especially around the Kitong Bisa learning center (KLBC) located within Pertamina's operational area. Where is the general condition of children in Papua, especially in areas assisted by KBLC, generally from children from underprivileged families which has an impact on their nutritional intake. Weight that is not appropriate for age indicates stunting. This will affect the growth and development of children's brains during their growth at that age.

Appreciation to PT. Pertamina was conveyed by Annes, representing KBF and all stakeholders in Papua and West Papua for the program launched by Pertamina.

"Representing the Kitong Bisa Foundation (KBF), I thank PT. Pertamina for the trust and attention to Tanah Papua, especially for the growth and development of children. Not only educating children, this program also involves parents about nutrition education for children. Through the Corporate Secretary of PT. Pertamina with its CSR program, the Bersinar Project can run," said Annes, the KBF CEO's nickname, through a separate press statement.

On December 2-3 located in Sorong - West Papua there will be activities in two places namely; SD Inpres 66 and Jalan Kanal Viktory were attended by children and their parents and CSR representatives of PT. Pertamina and also invited the Department of Education and the education community in Papua. Similar activities will also be held in Jayapura, specifically around the Jayapura KBLC area on December 13-14.

In her remarks, Annes Faidiban gave motivation to the children and parents present, that whatever we aspire to and dream of can be achieved with '3B'. Pray, Study and Endeavor. "We must apply and believe in these 3Bs in our daily lives. I am sure that children in Eastern Indonesia are no less superior than children who live in Java. Therefore, you must use the books that have been given. Because books are a source of knowledge," he ordered.

KBF Education Program Manager, Risa Maulegi, explained that this program is not only to develop the education and character of children in Papua, but also to educate parents about the importance of nutritional intake in children which affects children's growth and development.

"In this program, through the learning center that we have, we will embrace the community in the surrounding area by providing learning media (books, stationery, etc.) for the needs of the Learning Center / Kitong Bisa Learning Center (KBLC) related to the RESPECT curriculum. We also create well nourish children (children with optimal growth rates) by providing additional nutritious food and nutritional training to mothers/parents," explained Risa.

To note, currently the Kitong Bisa Foundation has 9 KBLC with a total of students reaching up to 1,000 participants. Learning implemented at the Learning Center, namely Literacy Read-Write, English, RESPECT Character (Responsibility, Entrepreneurial, Social, Power, Environment, Culture, Technology) and materials tailored to interests, talents and self-development according to the needs of the local community .

The teaching staff at the Learning Center/KBLC consists of Mr/Mrs Teachers/Youth/Local Community/Students. Students in the Learning Center/ KBLC consist of various ages, and the condition of children ranging from school dropouts and/or children who want to develop abilities and skills in the fields of Literacy, English and Character to numeracy are actively involved in KBLC.

SOURCE : https://www.mnctrijaya.com/news/detail/56349/pertamina-gandeng-yayasan-kitong-bisa-tuntaskan-stunting-anak-indonesia-lalu