UNISA Yogyakarta Community Service Students Encourage Mothers in Gunung Kidul to Make Foolproof Complementary Foods

Students participating in the Community Service Program (KKN) from Universitas ‘Aisyiyah (UNISA) Yogyakarta brought practical solutions to combat stunting in Gunung Kidul. Through an empowerment program at the Siyono Kulon Health Center, Group 13 of the KKN held a workshop on making nutritious, delicious, and affordable complementary foods for infants.

This activity aims to improve mothers’ skills in preparing healthy food for their children. The students showed that nutritious food does not have to be expensive. By utilizing local food ingredients such as potatoes, tempeh, chicken liver, and vegetables, the mothers were invited to cook MP-ASI tailored to various stages of their children’s ages, ranging from 6 to 24 months.

“We want to help mothers feel more confident in preparing complementary foods by utilizing simple, inexpensive local food ingredients that still meet children’s nutritional needs,” said Gema, leader of UNISA Yogyakarta’s 13th KKN group.

In addition to cooking practice, the students also provided comprehensive guidance, from ingredient selection, proper processing techniques, to attractive presentation methods to encourage children to eat heartily. The participants appeared enthusiastic and actively asked questions, proving that such education is greatly needed.

“I used to be confused about what to feed my children, but after this practice, I understand better. It turns out that everyday ingredients can be processed into nutritious food,” said Murti, one of the participants.

Field Supervisor (DPL) Niken Anggraini, M.Tr.Kep, appreciated this initiative as a tangible form of synergy between the campus and the community. According to her, this program not only has a direct impact on preventing stunting but also trains students to become agents of change within the community. With this knowledge, mothers in Siyono Kulon are expected to become more independent and creative in meeting their children’s nutritional needs.