South Bengkulu Area Program

The community of South Bengkulu is home to more than 142,000 people, almost a quarter of who live below the poverty line. Much of the land once used for farming now belongs to large companies for oil palm plantations. As a result, families struggle to provide nutritious food for their children, resorting to costly markets or traveling vendors.

Many children drop out of school to help their parents work on the oil plantations. Some youth get involved in fights, motorcycle racing and drug abuse, which are key concerns for parents and community leaders.

Health
Care Many children under age five are malnourished because mothers have limited information on the importance of breastfeeding and proper nutrition. Women also have a low awareness of how to take of themselves while pregnant to ensure their babies develop properly.

Without access to clean water, children often suffer from diarrhea. Only about a quarter of families know of the local health clinic, meaning many do not receive any health care services. Community health volunteers need better training and resources to help families keep their children healthy.

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene

Justover half of families in South Bengkulu can access safe water and proper sanitation. Because the numerous oil palm plantations use plenty of water, many water sources have run dry.

There is low awareness in the community about the importance of latrines and many are forced to practice open defecation, pollution the land and the river. As a result, people frequently endure diarrhea, skin diseases and other infections.

Education
Although there are schools and teachers in South Bengkulu , they lack necessities like books, desks and chairs. Only 25% of teachers have a government-issued teaching certificate. These conditions make it difficult for teachers to plan engaging lessons that will motivate students to participate in class.

Some parents in the community don't prioritize education or encourage their children's studies. Because children struggle throughout early grades, many don't continue on to secondary school. For those who want to attend, the nearest school is far away and there is no public transportation to get there. Many families can't afford school fees or uniforms.

• Help parents provide their own food through family gardens and small animal raising
• Educate mothers on appropriate newborn and young child care and feeding practices
• Increase caregivers knowledge about monitoring children's growth and early detection of malnutrition
• Train community health workers and volunteers on health messaging and practices for young children

• Organize a community water committee and children's forum to promote hygiene, sanitation and access to safe water
• Work with local government to share resources to develop a community water facility
• Educate families about safe water treatment for drinking water
• Promote proper sanitation and hygiene practices such as latrine use and hand washing with soap

• Educate parents on the importance of actively supporting their children's education
• Support parents to build effective parenting skills and understand children's development needs
• Establish school committees to involve the community in improving the quality of education
• Equip teachers with creative schooling techniques to engage children and improve learning