Students participating in the Community Service Program (Kuliah Kerja Nyata/KKN) of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) carried out community engagement activities in Mangir Tengah Hamlet, Sendangsari Village, Pajangan Sub-district, Bantul Regency. The program focused on accelerating stunting reduction through strengthening Posyandu services and providing nutrition education for families with infants and toddlers.
The initiative was motivated by the continued presence of infants and young children at risk of stunting due to insufficient balanced nutrition and suboptimal household feeding practices. In response, UNY KKN students introduced a nutrition support program involving the procurement and distribution of nutritious food for infants affected by or at risk of stunting. This activity was integrated into the routine services of Posyandu Mangir Tengah.
The program was implemented by a UNY KKN team consisting of Muhammad Haedar Ali, Iqbal Setianam, Rosiana Istanti, Putri Meilia S., Elmalia Virdania Putri, Jasmin Putri D., Yolanda Putri P.S., M. Aqil Satrio N., Risnindya Putri A., and Borneo Rahmadi. All team members actively participated in every stage of the program, from planning and beneficiary data collection to on-site implementation in collaboration with Posyandu cadres and the local community.
The Head of the UNY KKN Team in Mangir Tengah, Muhammad Haedar Ali, stated that the program reflects students’ concern for public health issues, particularly stunting, which remains a challenge at the village level. “We observed firsthand that some infants and toddlers require special attention regarding nutritional intake. Through this program, we hope to provide a tangible contribution while also raising parents’ awareness of the importance of balanced nutrition from an early age,” he said on Wednesday (February 4, 2026).
The activities began with data collection on infants and toddlers experiencing or at risk of stunting, conducted in cooperation with Posyandu cadres and local health workers. Based on the findings, the KKN team procured fortified instant foods, including baby porridge, infant biscuits, growth milk, and instant complementary foods (MPASI) tailored to the nutritional needs of children aged 6–24 months.
The implementation of the program received support from a consumer goods company that acted as the program sponsor. The support was provided in the form of nutritious food supplies for targeted infants and toddlers, contributing to the smooth execution of the activities and expanding their overall impact in Mangir Tengah Hamlet.
The distribution of nutritious food was carried out alongside Posyandu activities and through direct delivery to TK PKK 8 Mangir. In addition to food distribution, UNY KKN students also conducted nutrition education sessions for parents, emphasizing balanced nutrition, food hygiene, and appropriate selection of complementary foods based on children’s age and developmental needs.
This UNY KKN community service program aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger through improved infant and toddler nutrition, and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being through efforts to enhance maternal and child health. Through collaboration among students, Posyandu cadres, the local community, and private-sector partners, the program is expected to generate sustainable impact in improving community health and supporting the development of a healthy and high-quality future generation.
