Weaving hope for a stunting-free Papua through the GENTING programme

For Helena Asinggau, being a posyandu (integrated health post) cadre is not just voluntary work. She also feels a moral responsibility to assist native Papuans, especially in safeguarding the growth and development of children in Argapura Bawah, Jayapura City. This responsibility is fulfilled by providing door-to-door education to young mothers who still do not understand what stunting is or the importance of meeting a child’s nutritional needs. “Being a cadre is a calling,” said Helena, who also lives in the residential area, at the end of June. She recounted that some residents there still consider stunting merely a foreign term they do not comprehend, let alone realise its impact on a child’s growth. Helena is one of many posyandu cadres now involved in implementing the Gerakan Orang Tua Asuh Cegah Stunting (GENTING) programme alongside health workers, local government, businesspeople, and the community to accelerate the reduction of stunting in Papua.