UNAIR NEWS – Students participating in Universitas Airlangga’s Community Service Program (KKN), BBK 6, initiated a project titled SIMPONI—short for Sinergi Mahasiswa untuk Posyandu dan Nutrisi Ibu-anak (Student Synergy for Posyandu and Maternal-Child Nutrition). The two-day program took place on Thursday and Friday (July 10–11, 2025) in Lamongrejo Village, Ngimbang Sub-district, Lamongan Regency.
On the first day, the program was held in the Kanyar and Pule hamlets, focusing on educating parents about basic immunizations for toddlers and introducing the concept of a healthy meal plate. The second day moved to the Lamongrejo Village Hall, bringing together residents from six surrounding hamlets—Kambangan, Ngablek, Benteng, Brumbun, Ngeloh, and Lengkong—for a session centered on early childhood development and stimulation.
Strengthening quality of local health services
The initiative aimed to enhance the quality and sustainability of Posyandu (community-based health posts), particularly those serving pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children. UNAIR students played an active role by assisting local health workers with data recording, measuring toddlers’ height and weight, and documenting activities.
They also delivered educational content using interactive posters customized to meet community needs. Topics included the “4 Healthy 5 Perfect” nutrition guideline, the balanced plate model, the importance of vaccinations, and early stimulation for optimal child growth and development.
“With SIMPONI, we want Posyandu to be more than just a place to weigh babies—it should also be an engaging and informative learning space. We worked alongside the health cadres, engaged directly with mothers, and ensured that the program offers long-term value,” said Kaila Libina, leader of the BBK 6 team and SIMPONI program coordinator.
Promoting Sustainable Development Goals
Libina noted that the SIMPONI initiative was designed to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 3: Good Health and Well-being. The program emphasized a participatory and communicative approach to foster deeper community involvement.
The program received a warm reception from local residents. Tita, the mother of a three-month-old baby and a Posyandu participant, shared her appreciation for the initiative.
“We usually get information about Posyandu and immunizations from the midwife through WhatsApp, so we’ve made it a habit to attend. But the involvement of the student team made it more fun—especially for the kids, who loved looking at the posters. I also learned more about the ‘4 Healthy 5 Perfect’ meal concept,” she said.
The success of SIMPONI demonstrates how collaboration between students and local communities can bring real improvements to basic healthcare services—especially for vulnerable groups like mothers and children.
Author: Kaila Libina
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
