Muayanah takes on local government for improved health outcomes

Muayanah was amongst those in her village who enjoyed packaged foods, pushed by multinational corporations for profit, that pleased the palate, but which offered almost no nutrition. Farming in her community is focused on coffee and tobacco and growing nutritious food has never been a priority, and this is partly why child stunting is very high in her village at 30.4% compared to 19.8% nationally.

Muayanah knew that children were lacking nutrition and that it would make a difference to work with the local government to improve it, and this is why she joined the volunteering team.

Muayanah says, “ActionAid’s programme contributed to the [local government's] effort by validating the problems ... while also supporting our other core mission to increase meaningful participation of women in local decision-making processes."

“We have clear impact too – now there is a focused [government] maternal and child health programme along with a budget allocation. This represents a shift in government’s commitment on improving child health in our village".

Being part of the collaboration gave Muayanah a huge sense of purpose. She says, “I will continue to volunteer for the better health of children in my village, even after the project ends. That’s because I feel valued and dignified from what I do, and this is where my happiness is.”