Visit and Exploration of Cooperation between F2H and the Swiss Academy for Development

19-21 June 2016

F2H welcomed guests from the Swiss Academy for Development (SAD) to Bandung to meet with the Frontiers for Health team. SAD is an organization headquartered in Biel, Switzerland, that collaborates with local institutions on community development programs, including Early Childhood Development. SAD has established partnerships in 19 countries, including Sudan, Vietnam, Nepal, and now Indonesia.

Daniel Matter, a representative of SAD, visited to discuss the Learning Through Play: Sport and Play-based Early Childhood Development program, a curriculum that involves learning through play and exercise for toddlers as preparation for elementary school. This concept aligns with the learning process at Taman Posyandu (Integrated Service Posts), so F2H hopes to collaborate with SAD to implement it among Taman Posyandu cadres.

The first two days saw the F2H team and Daniel discussing activity plans and developing program proposals. On the third day, the F2H team and Daniel visited the Taman Posyandu Mandiri (Independent Community Empowerment Center) in Citali Village, Pamulihan District, Sumedang, to interview parents and cadres. Daniel’s visit was warmly welcomed by Village Head Nana Nuryana, parents, children, and the head of the TP Mandiri cadres, Ms. Syarifah. Several Child-Friendly Police officers from the local police station, who collaborate with TP Mandiri, also came to greet him. All members of the Taman Posyandu forum (approximately 15 people) were present, along with Mr.

Hidayat (F2H field supervisor), the village midwife, and the PAUD supervisor, Ms. Dra. Toyibah. Daniel inquired about the needs of cadres and the developmental needs of the children at the Taman Posyandu, and then about how the Posyandu and Taman Posyandu operate together.