[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Her name is Meriani Tefnay. She is a Posyandu Cadre from Sunu Village, a small village located at the peak of Mount Sunu, 40 kilometers east of Soe City, the capital of South Central Timor Regency. Residents call her Mama Meri. This 42-year-old mother of three carries a significant mission in her heart, which she pursues alongside her daily life as a homemaker. <\/p>\n
\u201cI indeed hold a dual role in this village, including that of a community health cadre facilitator,\u201d Meri stated enthusiastically. Mama Meri was first introduced to the TAKENUSA Program (Joint Determination for Women’s Health in Nusa Tenggara) when it commenced in Sunu Village at the end of 2023. <\/p>\n
Mama Meri, an ordinary homemaker, holds a significant vision for improving reproductive health in her village. Witnessing many women giving birth at home without adequate assistance from health professionals, Mama Meri was motivated to become part of the solution. With strong spirit and determination, she participated in a reproductive health program and became a facilitator in her village. Furthermore, Mama Meri is also an active member of the Posyandu cadre and the church council, which brings her closer to the community. <\/p>\n
Initially, the villagers doubted Mama Meri’s capacity as an \u201cordinary woman\u201d to provide health information. Many placed more trust in professional health workers than in village cadres like Mama Meri. However, Mama Meri did not give up. She continued to conduct home visits, disseminating information about the importance of childbirth in health facilities and the Family Planning (KB) program. <\/p>\n
The challenges Mama Meri faced were considerable. Her village is situated 20 kilometers from the Puskesmas (Community Health Center), with rocky road access and requiring river crossings during the rainy season. However, this did not deter Mama Meri’s spirit to assist her community. She continued to strive to convince mothers in her village to give birth at the Puskesmas and participate in the Family Planning (KB) program. <\/p>\n
One of the most challenging home visits was when she visited Mama Aksamina Lopo, a mother who had given birth at home six times. Mama Meri arrived at Mama Aksamina’s home not merely as an ordinary guest, but as a bearer of valuable information regarding reproductive health and the importance of childbirth in health facilities. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a visit with purpose,\u201d Mama Meri asserted. Patiently and empathetically, Mama Meri explained the benefits of the Family Planning (KB) program and how the Puskesmas could help maintain the health of mothers and children. This visit became a turning point for Mama Aksamina, who subsequently decided to give birth to her seventh child at the Puskesmas and enroll in the KB program. <\/p>\n
Mama Meri began the conversation empathetically, saying, \u201cMama Aksamina, I understand you have experienced giving birth six times at home, and all went smoothly. However, I wish to share information about the importance of childbirth at the Puskesmas. With comprehensive health facilities and trained medical personnel, mothers can ensure their own safety and that of their babies.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mama Aksamina appeared hesitant, but Mama Meri patiently continued to explain, \u201cI do not wish for you to take unnecessary risks. Giving birth at the Puskesmas is not solely about the safety of the mother and baby, but also about the family’s quality of life. You surely want to provide the best for your family, don’t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
After listening to Mama Meri’s explanation, Mama Aksamina began to consider giving birth at the Puskesmas. Mama Meri then offered to accompany Mama Aksamina to the Puskesmas for an examination and consultation with the village midwife. Consequently, Mama Aksamina felt more confident and assured in making the appropriate decision for her health. <\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ipasindonesiad.wpenginepowered.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC07126-1024×683-1-1.jpg” alt=”Mama Meri (center) as a speaker at the TAKENUSA Cadre Jamboree.” title_text=”Mama Meri (center) as a speaker at the TAKENUSA Cadre Jamboree.” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]When the day of delivery arrived, Mama Meri immediately accompanied Mama Aksamina from the village to the Puskesmas. Mama Meri ensured Mama Aksamina felt comfortable and secure during the journey, as this was her first experience giving birth in a different setting. <\/p>\n
Upon arrival at the Puskesmas, Mama Aksamina was immediately attended to by the medical team. Mama Meri facilitated communication between Mama Aksamina and the medical team, ensuring that all needs of the mother and baby were met. With the assistance of professional medical personnel, the delivery process proceeded smoothly and safely. <\/p>\n
After childbirth, Mama Aksamina received explanations regarding the care of her baby and herself. Mama Meri also assisted in facilitating the registration process for Mama Aksamina in the Family Planning (KB) program, enabling the mother to space her pregnancies and enhance family health. <\/p>\n
With appropriate support and care, Mama Aksamina and her baby recovered well. Mama Meri continued to visit them to ensure their health remained stable and to provide the necessary moral support. <\/p>\n
This \u201cvisit with purpose\u201d marked a turning point in Mama Meri’s journey. The community began to observe positive changes and trust Mama Meri’s capabilities as a health facilitator. Mama Meri demonstrated that serving the community does not necessitate a high level of education or being a doctor\/midwife. Active and caring Posyandu cadres can make a significant difference by conducting home visits and providing appropriate education. <\/p>\n
Currently, Mama Meri continues to conduct home visits and provide health information to the villagers. She stands as a tangible example that dedication and perseverance can bring about significant change. May her story serve as an inspiration to many.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Her name is Meriani Tefnay. She is a Posyandu Cadre from Sunu Village, a small village located at the peak of Mount Sunu, 40 kilometers east of Soe City, the capital of South Central Timor Regency. Residents call her Mama Meri. This 42-year-old mother of three carries a significant mission in her heart, which she pursues alongside her daily life as a homemaker. \u201cI indeed hold a dual role in this village, including that of a community health cadre facilitator,\u201d Meri stated enthusiastically. Mama Meri was first introduced to the TAKENUSA Program (Joint Determination for Women’s Health in Nusa Tenggara) when it commenced in Sunu Village at the end of 2023. Mama Meri, an ordinary homemaker, holds a significant vision for improving reproductive health in her village. Witnessing many women giving birth at home without adequate assistance from health professionals, Mama Meri was motivated to become part of the solution. With strong spirit and determination, she participated in a reproductive health program and became a facilitator in her village. Furthermore, Mama Meri is also an active member of the Posyandu cadre and the church council, which brings her closer to the community. Initially, the villagers doubted Mama Meri’s capacity as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3766,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[155],"tags":[],"topic":[],"class_list":["post-3765","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ipasindonesia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3765","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ipasindonesia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ipasindonesia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipasindonesia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipasindonesia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3765"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ipasindonesia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3765\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipasindonesia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3766"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ipasindonesia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3765"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipasindonesia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3765"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipasindonesia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3765"},{"taxonomy":"topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipasindonesia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic?post=3765"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}