Yayasan Seribu Cita Bangsa

Update: As of September 1st, all new donations will support the recovery of health facilities and equipment, as well as ongoing maternal and child health strengthening programs. Update August 24: Click here to see how initial donations were used for immediate relief efforts. The Indonesian island of Flores was struck by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake on Saturday, August 15. The earthquake has claimed at least 100 lives and displaced approximately 150,000 people. Those who had to leave their homes are sheltering in makeshift evacuation camps under tarpaulins with limited access to safe drinking water, food, essential medicines and sanitation. In some areas, these conditions continue even weeks after the earthquake. The Dive Operators Collaboration Komodo (DOCK), an association of dive centers and liveaboard operators in Labuan Bajo, Flores, is partnering with 1000 Days Fund, a registered Indonesian Non-Profit Organisation with a proven track record in humanitarian aid, to deliver essential goods to the most affected regions. In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, 1000 Days Fund was actively distributing critical relief in three of the hardest-hit regions across Flores: Sikka, East Manggarai, and West Manggarai, providing affected families with food supplies (rice, eggs), tents, blankets, sleeping mats, hygiene kits and other essential items. Another area of focus is psychological first aid, as many people have suffered severe emotional trauma from the earthquake and are being repeatedly re-traumatized by strong aftershocks. In their aid efforts, 1000 Days Fund is putting a special focus on supporting pregnant women, mothers and newborns through these challenging times. Thanks to institutional and long-standing donors, every donation towards 1000 Days Fund will be matched dollar by dollar up to US$100,000. This means: If you give 1 dollar today, 2 dollars will go towards the relief effort, doubling the impact of your donation. Please stand with us to support our brothers and sisters across Flores through these challenging times. Terima kasih.

Because nearly one child born every 10 seconds in Indonesia faces the risk of stunted growth, the 1000 Days Fund (Yayasan Seribu Cita Bangsa) trains and equips community health workers (CHWs) in rural and remote areas with the tools, confidence, and agency needed to eliminate stunting and chronic malnutrition by 2030. Inspired by the work of the 1000 Days Fund, Nayla Punjabi (Davis Projects for Peace Grant recipient) traveled to remote islands in eastern Indonesia to tell the story of the mothers and CHWs dedicated to eliminating stunting. The first 1,000 days after conception are known as the “golden window”. During this time brains and bodies develop faster than at any other point—connections form between neurons that will affect a child’s future IQ and vital organs grow to determine their future. For example, 80% of brain growth happens during the first 1000 days of life. Malnutrition in these early years can wreak irreversible damage. The most visible sign of a lack of essential nutrients is stunting: when a child is much shorter than they should be for their age.  In eastern Indonesia, where 1000 Days Fund runs high-touch, high-fidelity programs, the organisation has helped bring the stunting rates down to single digits. But preliminary internal analysis shows that doubling the pace at which stunting rates are currently falling could help bring the figure down to 4% by 2050. This documentary in collaboration with the MD Entertainment Foundation shares the stories of mothers, community health workers, doctors, and activists who have fought to end stunting for years. But the fight is far from over. To truly eradicate stunting, we need to work together to ensure awareness and access to healthcare, one child at a time.