Inspired by her neighbor who is a beneficiary of the Healthy Kitchen program in Alila Timur, Siti Masita Ismael (25) decided to plant a garden in her yard.

Mama Siti Masita lives with her husband, Ali Randihalo (28) and daughter Kania (6) in Alila Timur village, Alor district which is one of the TLM Foundation assisted villages. One of TLMF programs implemented in this village is the Stunting Prevention program by bringing family nutrition sources closer through Healthy Kitchen, especially for pregnant women.

Living far from the city of Kalabahi, Siti and her family have difficulty accessing vegetables. Vegetables in her village are only available if a vegetable seller from Kalabahi makes a visit, which happens infrequently.

Despite the limited availability of vegetables in her village, Mama Siti was surprised to see her neighbor who always has vegetables to enjoy consistently and even processed it into snacks to sell at school. Siti was then informed by her neighbor who was a beneficiary of the Healthy Kitchen program that she (the neighbor) received agricultural training and vegetable seedlings from TLM Foundation. Curious about the opportunity, Siti decided to ask TLM staff if she could also receive similar assistance.

Siti then received a variety of vegetable seeds that are now flourishing in her yard. Spinach, water spinach, eggplant, mustard greens, chilies, tomatoes and bitter melon are now available in her small backyard garden. Siti is grateful because now her family can consume vegetables almost daily. Additionally, she sells the vegetables to her neighbors, generating a modest income that she can use for her household expenses.

“My initial intention was to grow vegetables because of my neighbors, I was inspired by my neighbors. I thought that if I planted vegetables in my yard, it would be easier for me to cook vegetables, I would simply need to gather them from my garden, I don't need to go to the city, I live far from the city, I don't need to spend any more money.”