Wamena – The Tolikara Regency Government (Pemkab Tolikara) in the Papua Highlands aspires to become a model for implementing the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of life for the community, particularly for pregnant women, toddlers, and school-age children.
The Secretary of Pemkab Tolikara explained that the nutritious meals program has been in place since 2014 under the name “First 1,000 Days of Life.” This program has been consistently implemented despite budget constraints. In addition to the First 1,000 Days of Life program, Pemkab Tolikara also runs other nutritious meal programs in the Karubaga, Kuari, and Anawi districts.
One notable program is the Healthy School Breakfast (Sarasehans), which has been running since 2023. This program specifically targets elementary school students in grades I-IV. The Secretary of Pemkab Tolikara stated that the Sarasehans program is currently optimized in only eight out of 56 elementary schools in the area.
The budget allocated for the Sarasehans program in 2023 is Rp 5 billion, and this amount will remain the same for the following year. Nutritious meals are provided by qualified nutrition education personnel, as regulated. The implementation combines rice and local foods such as tubers and vegetables.
The Secretary of Pemkab added that the Sarasehans program, which has been running for more than two years, has had a significant impact. The program encourages children to attend school and supports their growth. Additionally, parents no longer need to prepare breakfast for their children.
Through the implementation of the nutritious meals program, Pemkab Tolikara hopes to serve as a model for other regions in the Papua Highlands. This way, communities throughout the area can benefit from a high-quality and sustainable nutritious meal program.
