Kisah Kasih Bidan Kesih - Lentera Indonesia

Key lifestyle & community health tips

• Reduce maternal and child risks by ensuring mothers and babies can access health services locally. This contributes to improved outcomes such as reduced malnutrition and mortality.
• Close, convenient service access matters: residents prefer the nearest health post/clinic. As a result, the midwife prioritizes the readiness of both staff and equipment.
• Handle vaccination anxieties with purpose: even when it’s difficult to see babies cry during vaccination, the emphasis is that it is for the child’s benefit.
• Monthly, local health outreach (Posyandu):
  • There are 13 Posyandu in the village, with a monthly schedule.
  • A cadre worker is assigned to each Posyandu to bring services closer—especially for pregnant women.

Health routine / midwife work structure

• The speaker has served as a village midwife since 2006 in Mekar Jaya Village, Bandung Regency (Band District).
• Service capacity improved over time:
  • Earlier: limited facilities (a small helper clinic attached to the village head office).
  • From 2010: a dedicated health post with better facilities.
  • Later: added emergency equipment for mothers and babies and strengthened midwife preparedness.
• Daily responsibilities:
  • Providing routine counseling and health checks.
  • Acting as a “front guard” so residents can reach the care they need.

Community rules/practices mentioned

• Regulations require that deliveries be assisted by a midwife or doctor.
• When tools are limited, the speaker describes using locally available support and ensuring safe tools are brought when needed.
• Childbirth practices are contrasted historically with “paraji” (traditional birth attendants), highlighting a shift toward midwife-assisted births.

Travel / location highlights (where the story is set)

Mekar Jaya Village

• Approximately 25 km from Bandung City center
• Altitude 700–1200 meters, so the air feels cold
• Residents mainly work as farmers or farm laborers
• Education levels often below high school, shaping how the speaker approached empowerment

Village empowerment & “economic lifestyle” strategies

• Founded the Bunda Lestari cooperative (KUD) in 2010 to strengthen the village economy, building on earlier Posyandu/community activities.

Multiple business units

• Sheep/goat farming group
• Coffee plantation initiative
• Example of a small household business success: “jilis” (a local drink/tea product sold in packs)

Profit-sharing approach (livestock group)

• Start with a livestock count (example: around 40 sheep, later reduced to 28).
• Some animals are provided to people.
• Offspring become part of a shared system:
  • If the animal gives birth, the offspring can be divided (one kept, one for the owner—or later bought by the owner).

Social fund system using rice (not cash)

• Each household contributes 1 spoon of rice per day.
• Rice is collected once a week by cadre workers.
• Collected rice is cashed and used for:
  • Public health needs, and
  • Maternity-related costs (described as multifunctional)

Benefits can include support such as health-related transportation (free vehicles; borrowing if needed).

Debt support example (jilis business)

• An entrepreneur borrowed about Rp1,000,000.
• Product pricing example: Rp7,000 per pack.
• Sales increase during Ramadan, helping repay the loan.
• The business continues afterward to support ongoing family income and stability.

Coffee planting empowerment

• Tens of thousands of coffee trees are planted (locations adjusted based on land availability).
• Harvest is collected through the cooperative.
• Women are empowered through garden cleanliness and maintenance roles.

Personal health / life principles (values & mindset)

• Patience and never giving up: persistence in improving community norms, especially around childbirth practices.
• Balance family time: despite a busy schedule, make time for children and family during holidays.
• Stay humble: avoid arrogance even after receiving appreciation or awards; treat recognition as motivation.
• Mutual support: encourages community members to look out for one another—simple methods can build strong cooperation and keep everyone healthier and safer.

Notable locations, products, and people mentioned

Locations

• Mekar Jaya Village
• Bandung City area
• Band District
• Posyandu sites (13 total)
• Coffee plantation areas

Programs/organizations

• Bunda Lestari cooperative (KUD)
• Posyandu
• Cadre workers
• Social fund system (“rice contribution”)

Products/businesses

• Sheep farming / livestock
• Coffee
• Jilis (packaged tea/drink sold around Rp7,000/pack)
• Rice-based social fund

People/roles

• Traditional birth attendant: “paraji”
• Village health figures/cadres
• Reference to hospital-provided tools (mentioned as “Mrs. Midwife”)