Faiz is an elementary school student in East Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi. His mother, Dasma, also known as Mama Faiz, cooks lunch for Faiz daily to pack for school. For Mama Faiz, this is the best way to ensure her son eats safe and healthy food rather than buying food at the stall.
Faiz is a participant in the Healthier Smiles program. This program is run by Save the Children Indonesia and Celosia Marennu Indonesia and is supported by the Mars Wrigley Foundation. Before being involved in the program, Faiz was only reminded by his mother to brush his teeth every bath. However, after receiving information from the program, Faiz is used to brushing his teeth 30 minutes after breakfast and before bed.
“Faiz takes a shower first in the morning, followed by brushing his teeth. However, this habit has changed since he was involved in the Healthier Smiles Program. Faiz now brushes his teeth 30 minutes after breakfast. As soon as he finishes, I happily mark the logsheet,” said Dasma.
This recording sheet is part of the program activities, namely the 21 Days of Toothbrushing and Handwashing with Soap Campaign. Through this sheet, children are taught to develop the habit of maintaining personal hygiene, especially brushing their teeth and washing their hands at the right time and in the right way. This campaign has been carried out in several schools in East Luwu Regency since 2022. Not only children are the targets of the campaign, but also teachers and parents, so that children get environmental support and make this habit more sustainable.
Parents join WhatsApp groups and receive educational messages to remind them of the habit of brushing their teeth and washing their hands with soap. Mama Faiz is an active member of the group. She often shares photos of Alvin brushing his teeth and washing his hands.
“At first, I felt a little burdened by filling out the logsheet daily. But, as time went by, this became a kind of ritual that helped us be more aware of cleanliness,” explained Mama Faiz while showing the logsheet that Faiz had completed.
One of the training facilitators, Ulfi, described the significant changes in Mama Faiz and her child. Ulfi feels proud to see Mama Faiz’s enthusiasm, who always takes photos and shares Faiz’s toothbrushing activities with other parents in the WhatsApp group.
“Seeing Mama Faiz’s commitment to keeping her children’s teeth and hands clean is a clear example that small changes can create great happiness in a household,” said Ulfi.