Nutrition For My Friends

1,924 Marginal Children in Greater Jakarta
& 500 Children in Merapi Camps

NUTRITION FOR MY FRIENDS (NUS) is Sahabat Anak’s program held in 2010. The program was launched on January 25, 2010 in conjunction with National Nutrition Day. NUS promotes nutrition for Indonesian children, especially marginal children (street children, scavengers, poor families and communities) that has become the focus of our service.

The program touched one of United Nations’ focus areas of children’s rights declared in 1989: “the right of healthy food”. We promote three main messages in the campaign: 1) nutrition is important for a child’s development; 2) every child has the right for healthy food, including marginal children; 3) healthy food is not always expensive.

We are grateful for public support towards NUS program. In the course of one year, we received funding support of IDR sixty four million from individuals, groups and institutions/companies. We also received additional thirty five million surplus funds from the Sahabat Anak Jamboree, our main event of the campaign. This year’s Sahabat Anak Jamboree brought the theme: “Healthy Food Shouldn’t be Expensive”.

Nutrition for Our Friends was distributed to 1,924 marginal children in 19 urban areas in the Greater Jakarta area. Although we were short from the target to reach 3,000 children, the program echoed to the public through media coverage (print, television, radio, internet), pamphlets, press release, email, websites, facebook and twitter campaign by Sahabat Anak.

A special note was nutrition distribution to 500 children displaced by the Merapi volcano eruption in two camps in Muntilan. Our motivation was to fulfill the rights of healthy food for children in the minimum condition in the camps.

Thank you for the participation of the NUS team, Sahabat Anak public relations, volunteers, partners, donors, media and all the people that supported the program.

For better Indonesia.

-Simsim-

Coordinator, NUS Team 2010

Ruri and Rahmat were clapped and sung Happy Birthday Song by other children, and then blew out candles stuck on thin cake, hold by Kak Icha. Not all the candles turned off, but Ruri sat down and cried. All of the Kakak got worried, was it something happened to his 10 years old girl. In her weep, Ruri said that she was touched since it was her first time celebrate birthday with candles, cake and song performed by her friends.

The touching moment was not last long. Ruri looked happy again when her friends lined up to greet her. A blue plastic bag from Kak Icha, brought a big smile on her face.

That Sunday (19/12/2010) afternoon was the first period of Sahabat Anak Nutrition Program delivered to the children from Jatiasih Free Tutoring. Sahabat Anak channelled the public donation – where every IDR 50,000 means 1 child at the scavenger community can have nutritious assumption for 3 months.

Though sit on thin sheets and cardboards, it does not lessen the children’s enthusiastic for studying. Surrounded by mounted trashes from their scavenger activity, the shade from a huge tree and light breeze brought a little comfort to concentrate on the lesson.

“Don’t forget to do your homework, okay…” Icha the Person in Charge (PIC) of Jatiasih Free Tutorial reminded. After 2 hours tutoring, the children who mostly joined 2010 Sahabat Anak Jamboree, closed their books and listened to the message of how important nutrition is.

Lunch was distributed with menu: rice, vegetables, chicken, and chips; then the cut-into-pieces fresh watermelons and bottles of chocolate milk. Kak Wawan – one of the tutor volunteer – delivered chocolate wafers, which were bought personally. Before that, two generous donors who knew this event from sahabatanak twitter came and shared delicious snacks to the children.

The joy on the children’s faces could not be hidden, also for us, the volunteers they call Kakak. This is the essence of all Sahabat Anak program: bring out the joy to fulfil the children’s right, including the needy marginalized children throughout this nation.

Saturday November 27^th 2010, the children from Senen Learning Activity (KBM) got their turn for receiving Nutrition for My Friend (NUS) Program from Sahabat Anak. Needed an extra effort that noon since an hour before hard rain hit Jakarta city. The volunteer tutors were worried and whispered, praying for the rain to stop.

On 4 PM, the rain was petered, but still in droplets. When we arrived at the KBM Location, the field was flooding. The children that had already gathered there said, “Kak, wait a moment okay. We want to ngojek first!” Ngojek means they offer umbrella for people on the street and got pay from it.

Olala, the rain brings fortune for those marginal kids. Waited for the rain totally stop and also for some children who went to ngojek, we were singing and playing with the toddlers age pre-school and elementary 1^st grade. Right one hour after, the rain finally stopped and other children came back to join us.

At first, we recalled the children about their commitments on Sahabat Anak Jamboree last July. Surprisingly, they still remember and implement it in their life, like consuming vegetables.

The first period of NUS Program, we delivered boiled egg, green bean porridge, and meat bread. They ate the porridge and the eggs. “Why you haven’t eaten the bread?” we asked them curiously. “We save it for tonight, after Learning Session.” They answered honestly. Well, kids… J

Thank you Sahabat Anak for willing to deliver the Nutrition Program for our children at KBM Senen.

By Krisanti – KBM Senen Tutor

Nutrition Program is still open for your participation. IDR 50,000 donation means 1 marginalized child can have nutritious items for 3 months. Transfer to BCA account 305-300-5001, with note: “NUS Program”.

Nutrition for My Friends visited 70 children in Rawa Kaso, Jatisari Village, Cileungsi, West Java. The event was held on Saturday, 6 November 2010 at 5 PM. There were 15 enthusiastic children participated in the event. They gathered one hour prior to the program started.

Vina from the organizer opened the program with games. She explained the crucial role of nutrition for health, growth and energy needed for daily activities.

Fruits! Vegetables! Tofu! Tempe! Milk! The children answered Vina’s question about names of nutritious menu. Milk and warm green beans were distributed at the end of the program.

The remaining milk and green beans were then directly distributed to children in the nearby neighborhood by some teenagers who stayed in the Cileungsi house. Characteristic of the area is dominated with farms and rice fields,therefore houses are located far from each other.

We still open opportunity for your participation. For a donation of Rp 50,000, one marginal child will routinely receive nutritious food for the duration of 3 months. You can channel your support to BCA account no. BCA 305 300 5001

Bogor city on Saturday 23rd October 2010, as usual was cloudy and got a little traffic jam. Just like its label, Bogor has rain schedule every noon; but that didn’t turn down the enthusiastic of Bogor’s marginalized children to join the Nutrition event, located on Pangrango intersection.

At first, the pre-school toddlers and the 1^st – 3^rd grade of Primary aged came, also the street kids who took a rest from their street-singing hours. Then the children from 4^th grade Primary – 3^rd Junior High joined, right after the end of their school time.

Cheerfully, the children were listening to the Story-teller Lanny about healthy food. When she asked them to mention samples of healthy food, the children were stampeding to answer. “Tempe (fermented soybean), tahu (bean curd), egg, spinach!” shouted one of them.

The 38 children were also enjoying some games lead by Rani, like writing letter with your head. Second game was reciprocal singing “Sedang Apa”. Lots of terms they sang to each other, until it stopped since the boys couldn’t respond. So, the winner was the girls’ team. The last game was lead by Gita & Rani, asking the children to make circle and performing “Domikado’.

Tired after the games, bottles of milk were distributed to the children. Then, they were having healthy meals prepared by volunteers, ended the event that noon.

Thank you so much for Sahabat Anak volunteers and all parties who have supported this Nutrition Program.

By Shinta Kaunang – Bogor Free Tutorial volunteer.

You still can participate in Nutrition Program by donating IDR 50,000 means 1 marginalized child can have nutritious items for 3 months. Transfer to BCA account 305-300-5001 with notes “NUS Program”.

Dear beloved Sahabat Anak,

Thank you for your attention and trust in us. We never thought that one day there would be support in the form of nutritional assistance to our children.

The number of children who participate Bimbel (Tutoring) in Kebayoran Lama ranges from 60-80 children aged 6-14 years. They come from the marginalized areas on the outskirts of the railroad Kebayoran Lama, and their parents mostly work motorcycle taxi drivers, scavengers, jockey 3in1s, or peddlers. A friend named Dominique looked for a place so that these kids could get extra lessons outside school hours. We have now run activities there for 5 months. We have seen a positive change in the children, they have become more manageable and more enthusiastic to come every Saturday, and their reading has also greatly improved.

Besides learning English, Bahasa Indonesian, Art & Crafts and Mathematics; we also provide moral lessons (character building) in each meeting. In addition, once a month we give a presentation about health and hygiene.
We also have a programme for nutrition. Every meeting, we prepare milk, jelly, bread, wheat crackers and other nutritious items. We were very grateful when Sahabat Anak offered to donate routine nutrition for the children, as part of the Program NUTRITION FOR MY FRIEND (NUS).  This funding comes from public participation in response to this noble program.

Saturday, October 9 is the first week of the NUS Program in Kebayoran Lama. Sahabat Anak presented an incredible storyteller, thanks to Kak Awam! The kids were mesmorized by the motion and the songs and messages in the compelling story. Thank you also to the Sahabat Anak team: Walter, Simsim, Aiwa, Maretha, Gita, and Vina. Thanks for your excellent care and attention. The nutritious goods distributed were papaya, pineapple, and bananas cut into small pieces and mixed together, accompanied by the milk bought by Sahabat Anak.

For next Saturday the 16th of October, we’ll prepare  jelly and apples that are rich in vitamins.

Once again, thank you to Sahabat Anak for their kindness. Let us work together to help these children because they are the future of our nation.

Regards,

Visyen Sudjana

Kebayoran Lama Tutorer

Make sure that more and more marginal areas of children’s nutritional intake jabodetabek get routine in Program NUTRITION FOR MY FRIEND (NUS). Donation Rp 50,000 for 1 child in need.

Nutrition for My Friends (NUS) is Sahabat Anak’s main program throughout this year. Recently on Sunday 22^nd August 2010, it was delivered to poverty children located at Tanjung Priok area (Stadion Tugu & Beting).

Due to Ramadhan month, the program was started at 5PM until the Fast Breaking hour. About 40 children and 15 volunteers had to move from Stadion Tugu (football field) to one local house. Some children and volunteers had to stand or sit outside the alley, prioritized younger children to sit inside. The meal was prepared by Lala’s Granny (grandmother of one child): rice, spicy boiled egg, and spinach soup. She cooked without additional MSG!

That night, the children that mostly street-singer and child-labour were reminded for their commitments made on Sahabat Anak Jamboree (last July) – such as minimize fries or drink more water.

Volunteers who came that night brought additional items: fried mash potatoes, green bean, sponge cake, pudding, milk, and fruit punch. All attendants were full with the nutritious meal and various desserts. The spirit of friendship is capable for raising joy, as always.

By Lanny & Vicky

Choo choo ….. !!!!!
Chaga… chaga… chaga… chaga…

For the umpteenth time, the train passed us by, right in front of the Sahabat Anak Learning Center in Pejompongan, Tanah Abang. This learning center is located right along the railway, next to a densely populated slum area. Here, our young brothers and sisters of Tanah Abang could learn, play and engage in artistic projects.

Health and nutrition play a key role for these children to reach their optimum learning, playing and creativity potentials. They need sufficient nutrition to support their growth, and Sahabat Anak’s nutrition program (Nutrition for My Friends) which started in January 2010 has distributed nutritious food and beverage to the children under the care of Sahabat Anak (SA) in Mangga Dua, Prumpung and Rawa Indah.

On Saturday, March 6, 2010, it was the turn for 100 hcildren in SA Tanah Abang to receive nutritious food. In the menu were: boiled eggs, orange and milk.

Around 4:30pm, the children have gathered in the learning center and enthusiastically followed the program led by Sister Sari, one of the volunteers from SA Cijantung. The event started with singing, dancing, then trivia quiz on health matters. Afterwards, the children sat nicely while being given eggs to be eaten together.
While eating the egg, Sister Simsim from SA Nutrition Team told a story and encouraged the children to understand the meaning and function of nutrition.

“Kids, healthy food doesn’t have to be expensive. Soya beans (tempe), tofu, eggs, green vegetables and fruits, are all nutritious,” said Simsim.

The event went well and was entertaining, and the children were given a bottle of milk and orange to be brought home.
Hopefully, these children from SA Tanah Abang started to understand the importance of taking nutritious food. And we’d like to thank friends of Sahabat Anak who participated in this event.
Your continued participation is still needed. A Rp50,000 donation is sufficient to provide nutrition for one child for three months.
Until we meet in the next nutritious food distribution, that is in Grogol on March 14, 2010 at 5:00pm, right under the Grogol flyover across from Mal Ciputra.