Tanoto Foundation Supports WVI to Improve the Quality of Toddler Care in Surabaya

Tanoto Foundation and Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) are committed to running the Go Baby Go pilot project, a model of nurturing classes for optimizing child development. The project, which will run in Surabaya, East Java from December 2019 to May 2021, aims to improve the ability of parents and caregivers to consistently meet the needs of their early childhood, including not only physical care but also their needs that are equally important for love, game and communication. Go Baby Go (GBG) is a model for early childhood development, whose goal is to enable children aged 0-3 years, especially the most vulnerable, to have a strong start in life through caring for families that protect and support health, nutrition, holistic development and learning. The GBG is built on evidence-based recommendations that early childhood education programs most effectively target the youngest children in the most vulnerable families, to provide hands-on learning experiences through integration with existing community support, health, nutrition, education and/or structures and approaches to child protection. The GBG project will be implemented in two districts in Surabaya, namely Simokerto and Kenjeran Districts. The activity took place in eight posyandu in the two sub-districts and reached at least 320 children aged 0-3 years. GBG will employ classroom learning methods and home visits to ensure that parents and caregivers can practice learning in the classroom consistently at home. Posyandu cadres will be trained to be able to facilitate GBG classes for parents and caregivers and make home visits as a follow up. All of these activities complement existing government programs such as the Family Development Toddler, Integrative Holistic Early Childhood Education (HI ECD) and Posyandu. In addition, the implementation of GBG will be carried out by following the rules of research so that learning outcomes can be obtained based on good evidence to implement in a wider area with good quality. Tanoto Foundation stated that the cooperation supports early childhood education and development in Indonesia. The foundation hopes Indonesian children can grow and develop optimally and continue their education to the next stage. This is in line with the foundation's mission that quality education accelerates equal opportunity creation. Global CEO Satrijo Tanudjojo delivered this message. Meanwhile, WVI National Director Doseba T. Sinay said that the pilot program is expected to produce good practices that can be replicated in other regions of Indonesia. He also expressed appreciation for the Tanoto Foundation's concern for the advancement of Indonesian children's health. With increasing support and collaboration, the quality of children's health in Indonesia can continue to improve. WVI is currently implementing a stunting reduction project in Simokerto District, Surabaya, East Java since about 5 years ago by strengthening the posyandu program, Infant and Young Child Feeding (PMBA), PAUD assistance and promotion of clean and healthy living behaviors and also monitors the nutritional status of children.