Nutrition in Action program for preschoolers in Cipanas

YUM had the pleasure of welcoming Ajeng Pribadi Salam, a student from Indonesia, and Suzumi Partridge and Matilda Gibian, students from Australia, who are currently supporting the Nutrition in Action program in Cipanas.
Matilda, Suzumi and Ajeng with the students in Cipanas

We are delighted to have Ajeng Pribadi Salam, a student from Indonesia, and Suzumi Partridge and Matilda Gibian, students from Australia, who are currently interning for one month at YUM's Jakarta office. Suzumi and Matilda are both Public Health students, and Ajeng is currently studying Nursing at the University of Indonesia. Due to their educational backgrounds, they have been tasked to work on our Nutrition in Action program for our preschoolers in Cipanas.

 

During their first week, they were able to take a trip to Cipanas to visit the preschool. They had the chance to observe the mothers of the preschoolers, who were hands-on in preparing nutritious meals. They tasted the food themselves to ensure it met nutritional standards and helped serve the meals to each child. To deepen their understanding, they conducted interviews with two mothers about whether they maintained balanced nutrition at home. During their 2 days in CIpanas, Suzumi, Matilda and Ajeng were able to participate in the preschool activities, focusing on observing ‘My Plate’, a balanced nutrition program aimed at young children. The preschoolers primarily learned through coloring activities and even took a trip to the garden to explore different food sources and their nutritional benefits.

 

 

During their second trip to Cipanas, the interns shifted focus to hands-on activities with the children. One of the main highlights was a fun food-shopping game where children used paper cutouts of various food groups (proteins, vegetables, fruits, and carbohydrates) to “shop” for a balanced meal and arrange the pieces on their plates. This interactive game helped the children better understand the importance of a well-rounded diet. In addition to the game, the preschoolers participated in coloring activities (Class A) and drew their own ‘My Plate’ (Class B) to reinforce the concept of healthy eating.

 

 

Let’s hear what the interns have to say about their unforgettable moments at YUM’s Community Centre in Cipanas.


Ajeng:
"This was my first time witnessing mothers cook and serve nutritious meals directly to their children at YUM’s Community Centre in Cipanas. It was truly inspiring because it showed a real effort in preventing malnutrition among the kids. I really hope YUM continues this program, as it plays a crucial role in ensuring the children’s nutritional needs are met."

 

Matilda:
"I had so much fun playing soccer with kids of different ages! It was a great way to connect with them through play. Another heartwarming moment was seeing the mothers cook nutritious meals for their children—it was such a sweet gesture, and I think it’s important for them to learn these skills. I also loved getting to taste the meals they made!

 

This experience also made me reflect on the differences between Cipanas and Australia. Here, there’s a strong sense of community that supports both mothers and children, allowing them to spend time together. In Australia, that’s much harder to achieve because most parents are busy working—unless they’re very wealthy and can afford to spend more quality time at home."

 

Suzumi:
"On our first day at YUM’s Community Centre in Cipanas, the children seemed a little nervous but also excited and incredibly respectful. One of the most touching moments for me was when the kids would say goodbye by taking our hands and kissing them—it was their way of showing respect, and it truly left an impression on me.

 

I also really admire YUM Cipanas for being such a supportive community that provides quality education for children. Aside from our activities at the preschool, we also visited a posyandu (community health center), where we met local health volunteers. These women are amazing—they dedicate their time not for profit, but simply because they genuinely want to help others. That was truly inspiring." 

 

 

We're very grateful that Suzumi, Matilda and Ajeng chose to do their internship at YUM. Thanks to their time with us, our Nutrition in Action program will now have teaching modules with resources around nutrition for our preschool teachers, presentations on nutrition and health for the parents, as well as meal plan ideas for the school lunches that are made by the mothers!

 

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