Helping Children Grow Healthier 

Deep in the villages of South-Central Timor, little children often start their school day with just a handful of simple snacks from the village stall. It’s not that their parents don’t want to give them healthy food, but many struggle financially and lack awareness of how important proper nutrition is for a child’s development. 

“Our school used to serve mung bean porridge as extra nutrition, but not regularly. We also managed to provide milk once last year, but our funds were limited,” shared Rev. Martence Atupah, head of PAUD Berkat GMIT Betesda Kiu’utenu. 

To respond to this need, Obor BerkatIndonesia (OBI) launched the Garden in School program across 14 Super5 preschools in NTT, a hands-on initiative designed to improve children’s daily nutrition in a sustainable way. 

In its first year, the program combines vegetable gardens and egg-laying chicken farms within school grounds. Through this, children learn to plant, nurture, and harvest while also gaining better access to both plant-based and animal protein. 

One of the schools benefiting from the program is PAUD Berkat GMIT Betesda Kiu’utenu. In the past, the teachers had tried their best to provide extra nutrition for their students, but limited funding made it difficult to continue regularly. 

Thanks to your generosity, their prayers have been answered through the Garden in School program. 

“We are truly grateful. This is such a blessing and a gift of trust from God for our children,” said Rev. Martence. 

Today, the children enjoy nutritious meals up to five times a month — and even bring home fresh eggs and vegetables to share with their families. 

Beyond that, the initiative has also reached pregnant mothers and children under five, becoming a small yet meaningful step in reducing stunting rates in Kiu’utenu Village, one of the areas with the highest prevalence in the district. 

Thank you, OBI Partners. Because of your support, children in NTT can now enjoy healthier meals, learn to care for the earth, and grow stronger through their own school gardens. 

We’re expanding this movement so more schools in NTT can be blessed the same way. Let’s walk this journey together; every gift makes a difference.