The Old Gold from South Nias

children health
Monday, November 7, 2016

For some people being old is a nightmare, but not for Milik Hati Bali, 61. For her, age is not a barrier to keep inspiring others. Milik Hati Bali is a community health volunteer in Hiligito Orahili Fau of South Nias. She is very active in programmes of World Vision Indonesia, where she is a committee member for the village nutrition garden.

She always says, “Life is useless if you cannot be something for one another. I have no money, just my energy and spirit to help children to have a good life.

“Life is useless if you cannot be something for one another."

At the beginning, she was the only active manager of the garden. The other community members were busy with their own reasons, but she continued her work because she did not want to disappoint others. She also said that, nutrition garden could produce healthy foods not only for the children but also for breastfeeding mothers.

In September 2016, she was also chosen to be part of the family planning cadre of South Nias. She has received appreciation from the government and community for her commitment and hard work.

Each month she brings corn or cassava, along with bananas and papayas to the integrated health post, or posyandu, as a source for making complimentary food. At least 90 under-five children joined the posyandu in Hiligito Orahili Fau.

She said that she will be unhappy if there is any mother who does not know how to properly care for her child.

“There is a mother who gives her son infant formula, because in her mind giving infant formula is only done by people with high social status,” she explained seriously. "For me, breast milk is the best. Breastfeeding is free, healthy,  and good for both mother and child."

She warned her daughter to always give her grandson breast milk and good quality food because it would help her grandson’s growth healthy and strong.

“I do hope that there are no more malnourished children. Children are a gift that have to be cared for and loved.”

“I am not happy when seeing children neglected by their parents, I want all children to be loved, grow, and live healthy. People will recognize this village from the children. If there are successful children from Hiligito Orahili Fau, all people in the village will be very proud,” she said as the rain began to fall.

 

~ Written by Eduard Derry Christian, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Coordinator, WV Indonesia, South Nias Operational Office