Dear colleagues, clients, partners and friends,
It is the time of year to look back at what has been achieved during the past 12 months and look ahead to where we are going in the coming year.
2016 has been an exciting year for Savica, full of activities, changes and new clients. We would like to share some of the exciting and rewarding projects that have been concluded this year. For every project we implement, we endeavour to insert an innovation. This year, this included the use of Android-based tablets for data collection in an extensive survey in Central Java, and the development, together with our partner Salsaparilla from the Netherlands, of a game to address myths related to food during the First 1,000 Days.
Our team was strengthened by three new members: Aci (Asrinisa), Dara and Fahmi. A new generation of talented and motivated Indonesian professionals in nutrition and research, administration and general support, and IT, respectively. We are very happy to have them on board!
The year started with a large project for UNICEF Indonesia in Brebes, Central Java. Savica designed and implemented the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) for this pilot, which included developing a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan, tabulate quantitative monitoring reports, design, implement and analyze qualitative process monitoring. During the monitoring, a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods was used, including qualitative and quantitative document review, in-depth interviews, FGD’s and MSC (Most Significant Change). An endline survey was part of the assignment, and this included interviews using digital questionnaires on tablets, anthropometry and hemoglobin measurements on pregnant women and children under three years. For this project we adapted the paper questionnaire to be used in CSPro, a feat achieved by our IT expert, Fahmi.
This pilot was developed by Bappenas in cooperation with TNP2K, District government of Brebes, Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA), Ministry of Health (MoH), and UNICEF. The purpose of the pilot project was to “increase the knowledge of PKH beneficiaries and stakeholders” (revision 2015), targeting PKH beneficiaries households with children under 3 years old and/or pregnant women.
The results were shared with stakeholders at the national and local level to inform decisions by Bappenas and other stakeholders regarding the future of the PKH and PKH Prestasi programs in Indonesia.
Most recently, Savica, with support from Wageningen University, in particular the Center for Development Innovation (CDI) and Salsaparilla the Game Company, has developed a game to contribute to behaviour change. The focus of this game is to correct the belief in a variety of myths related to the consumption of fish and seafood in the First 1000 Days of Life. The game, which can easily be adapted to use with other topics, is part of a larger social marketing strategy which is currently being finalised. The basis for the development of this game was a formative research in four different areas in Tegal city and district, as the area of a CDI project to support the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fishery (MoMAF). In addition, input from the Ministry of Health has been incorporated in the game and the strategy.
Starting in late 2015, Savica’s principal was involved in the evaluation of the United Nations World Food Programme in Afghanistan, as part of an international evaluation team coordinated by the KonTerra Group. The Evaluation Report was very well received by WFP, including the sections on nutrition and food security for which Savica was responsible.
As a follow up to a previous training in 2015, Savica again deployed a consultant to provide training in Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health for health staff in Dompu (West Nusa Tenggara) and Sicca (East Nusa Tenggara) at the request of WPF/Rutgers. The consultant spent two weeks in the field to train a number of midwives and nurses, who were highly appreciative of the new skills and knowledge.
It has been a year of changes and internal strengthening. Together with a healthy pipeline and strong networks, this will ensure Savica will continue to be ready to provide excellent services in Public Health and Nutrition, in Indonesia and abroad.
On behalf of the entire Savica team I would like to wish you a very Happy and Successful New Year.
Best regards,
Damayanti Soekarjo
Managing Director
