Working together to build better future for West Sumbawa’s children

Jakarta (ANTARA) - A child's future is shaped long before adulthood. It begins with adequate nutrition, access to quality education, safe places to play, opportunities to explore personal interests, and the freedom to express views on matters affecting their lives.

In West Sumbawa District, West Nusa Tenggara, efforts to create such an environment involve healthcare, education, sports, and child protection programs.

Local authorities, schools, families, communities, and businesses are working together to support children at different stages of development.

Among the private-sector partners is PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMMAN), an Indonesian copper and gold mining company supporting initiatives to improve children's welfare and expand opportunities for young people.

The collaboration reflects a broader approach to regional development, recognizing that economic growth and infrastructure must be accompanied by improvements in quality of life and prospects for future generations.

Together with the district administration, AMMAN has supported initiatives to strengthen child rights policies and institutions, including public education on child protection, efforts to prevent violence and bullying, support for the Children's Forum, and the establishment of the Indonesian Child-Friendly Companies Association (APSAI).

From early childhood

A child's development begins even before birth, making maternal health, nutrition, and family awareness essential to early intervention.

Through initiatives such as the Healthy Kitchen to Address Stunting (DASHAT) program, balanced nutrition campaigns, education for adolescents and prospective newlyweds, and assistance for mothers and children, families receive information and support to improve early childhood development.

These efforts are complemented by education on childbirth at healthcare facilities, access to clean water and sanitation, and guidance on healthy parenting.

A stunting reduction program has reached 436 children in communities surrounding mining operations who experienced stunting, underweight, or wasting.

Following the interventions, 32 percent reportedly recovered from stunting, while 86 to 98 percent achieved normal weight.

Beyond these figures, the program seeks to improve families' understanding of children's nutritional needs and strengthen their capacity to support healthy growth.

As children grow older, schools become important spaces for developing abilities and exploring interests.

In West Sumbawa, early childhood education initiatives include the PAUD Prestasi program, which introduces computational thinking, and school-based waste management activities.

The programs encourage problem-solving, creativity, and environmental awareness beyond conventional classroom subjects.

Educational support also extends to vocational and higher education. Since 2021, the AMMAN Scholars program has provided more than 290 young people with opportunities to pursue vocational high school and three-year diploma education.

Participants also receive boot camp training and workplace exposure to prepare them for employment.

For beneficiaries, these opportunities can provide pathways to further study, entering the workforce, or starting a business.

"Child protection is fundamental to building a sound society. We remain committed to helping create a safe environment in West Sumbawa, where no child loses their future because of early marriage or violence," said Priyo Pramono, AMMAN's vice president of social impact.

"By strengthening village-level policies and training paralegals, we are building safeguards for children and helping them pursue their aspirations," he said.

Protecting children's rights

For some children, discovering their potential begins not in a classroom but on a sports field, at an arena, or in the sea.

Through its Sports for Development approach, activities such as football, basketball, volleyball, skateboarding, surfing, and sports for people with disabilities are used to promote discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, and self-confidence.

One initiative, Surfing Masuk Sekolah, or Surfing in Schools, has introduced surfing as an extracurricular activity at four schools through collaboration between AMMAN and the local administration.

Beyond learning to balance on surfboards and read waves, students are introduced to water safety, marine conservation, and opportunities associated with sustainable tourism.

Khairullah, a participant in a surfing clinic, said the activity had helped him understand how to surf properly and safely. It had also increased his awareness of keeping beaches and coastal waters clean while encouraging his ambition to become a better surfer.

The initiative illustrates how sports can serve as a learning platform, combining physical activity with environmental awareness and personal development.

However, healthcare, education, and sports alone cannot ensure children's well-being. They also need environments where they feel safe, respected, and able to express their views.

In West Sumbawa, efforts to provide such spaces include child-friendly facilities, support for the Children's Forum, and platforms for creative activities and information sharing.

Education on children's rights and the prevention of violence and bullying is also part of the approach.

Child protection initiatives extend to villages, where families and communities are closest to children's everyday lives.

AMMAN has supported 16 villages through policy strengthening, training for 78 paralegal volunteers, and the development of 29 child facilitators.

The district administration has subsequently expanded the approach to 18 additional villages through allocations from village budgets, known as APBDes, bringing child protection mechanisms closer to local communities.

Trained paralegals and child facilitators are expected to strengthen communities' capacity to identify protection concerns and provide assistance when children face risks.

Beyond official designation

These initiatives connect interventions at the district, subdistrict, village, school, and family levels. Healthcare supports physical development, education creates opportunities, sports help build character, and local institutions provide mechanisms for protection.

The collaboration has coincided with West Sumbawa's progress in the Child-Friendly District (Kabupaten Layak Anak) assessment, moving from the Pratama, or Basic, category in 2023 to the Madya, or Intermediate, category in 2025.

AMMAN also received recognition from the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal at Minerba Expo 2026 in the Community Empowerment and Development category for its contribution to establishing community institutions.

Director General of Mineral and Coal at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry Tri Winarno said the ministry appreciated the contributions and commitment of stakeholders supporting responsible mining practices.

"The mining sector plays a vital role not only in nation-building and improving public welfare, but also in ensuring that its positive impacts can be sustained and enjoyed by future generations," he said.

For West Sumbawa, becoming a child-friendly district involves more than achieving an official government designation. It requires sustained efforts to ensure that children have access to healthcare and education, are protected from violence, and can participate in shaping their communities.

The progress made so far provides a basis for further collaboration. The longer-term challenge, however, remains ensuring that these opportunities and protections reach every child, regardless of where they live or their family's circumstances.

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