Ibu Muslina (32) is a resilient woman who dedicates her time to the village community in Bengkayang Regency. In her daily life, she works as an early childhood education (PAUD) teacher while also holding an important mandate as a member of the Family Assistance Team (TPK) and a volunteer for the DASHAT Nutrition Post. Her duties in the village are not easy; she must monitor family health, provide support, and ensure that every child receives their basic health right to immunization.
Although immunization is vital for building toddlers' immunity and preventing dangerous diseases such as polio, measles, diphtheria, and tetanus, challenges in the field are still common. A lack of understanding makes many parents reluctant to bring their children to the Posyandu (Integrated Healthcare Center). "There are some parents of toddlers who do not want to bring their children for immunization because their children become fussy and get a fever afterwards," Muslina explained. Previously, Muslina and other TPK cadres could only provide basic education and merely ask mothers to come to the Posyandu, without being able to explain the medical reasons behind these side effects.
A turning point for Muslina occurred in February 2026, when she was appointed by the Village Head to attend the TPK Capacity Building Training in Pontianak, facilitated by the PASTI Program. It was during this training that her paradigm and knowledge about immunization were truly broadened.
"From the TPK training in Pontianak, I just learned that the immunization injected into children consists of weakened good bacteria or germs to fight the bad germs in the body, which serves to build protective immunity," she shared enthusiastically. She now fully understands that the post-immunization fever is not something to be feared, but rather an indication of how antibodies are being formed.
This newfound knowledge has drastically changed Muslina's perspective. She has now become a more confident cadre and serves as a facilitator for her fellow TPK members at the sub-district level. "This crucial shift in perspective motivates me to share my knowledge with my fellow TPK members so that it can be socialized at the Posyandu. The goal is to provide education that can open the hearts and minds of parents about the vital benefits of immunization," she added.
Driven by her sense of responsibility as a cadre, Muslina now enjoys her role of speaking in front of crowds and educating the community. Moving forward, she is committed to continuing her learning so that the education she delivers can be well-received by parents.
"I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Wahana Visi Indonesia, especially the PASTI Program, for the time, opportunity, and knowledge shared with me. Without this program, I might not have gained this highly valuable knowledge for my role as a TPK," Muslina concluded. She holds a great hope that all parents out there will soon open their hearts to routinely bring their children for immunization, paving the way for a healthy and resilient generation.
Author: Lea Sabrina (Freelance for PASTI program in West Kalimantan)
Editor: Theresia Kristianingrum (Communications Specialist PASTI)