Saving Indonesian Children from Chronic Malnutrition

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.