Socialization of the Benefits of Goat Milk for Children at Raudatul Athfal Habibillah Kindergarten, Albina Foundation, Pekik Nyaring, Central Bengkulu
Raudatul Athfal Habibillah Kindergarten School, Albina Foundation, Pekik Nyaring, Pondok Kelapa, Central Bengkulu Regency is a kindergarten school founded on the initiative of several people who are dedicated to Islamic education in the village. The number of students at the school is quite large, with 128 students. Most of the students live in the village around the school, with only a few coming from outside the village which is some distance from the school. In general, the parents are young couples.
Kindergarten students are children who need to be prepared for their growth and development as they will become the next generation of the nation. To support children’s growth and development, they need good nutrition. The main priority, the source of nutrition consumed is usually solid food in the form of rice, side dishes (protein sources), vegetables and fruit. To complement the nutrients consumed by growing children is milk. In general, Indonesians are not good milk consumers. This is because milk is not an easily available food, so drinking milk is not a habit for Indonesians. Based on this, it is necessary to remind parents about the importance of milk as an important staple food for children. Once again, children as the next generation of the nation must fulfill all nutritional needs at this golden age.
Socialization of the benefits of goat’s milk for kindergarten children as a reminder that milk is very good for consumption by kindergarten children who may be very susceptible to disease due to both bacteria and viruses. Parents should always be reminded of the importance of milk in increasing immunity, maintaining health and for children’s growth. The growth of children at this age will underlie a good body condition in adulthood, productive age and even form a good and healthy body in the elderly, which allows the elderly to be active in independent activities.
Why goat milk? The first reason is that goats are relatively small animals compared to cows (which are generally recognized as milk producers in the market), so it is more likely to be cultivated because the capital is relatively small. The next reason is that goat’s milk has advantages over cow’s milk, such as: (1) the size of fat globules is smaller so it is easier to digest, (2) fewer allergens, goat milk protein contains a lot of A2 casein, which is very tolerant to those who consume it, (3) high calcium content, (4) helps reduce cholesterol levels in the body, (5) promotes glowing skin, (6) and increases nutrient absorption.
The socialization of the benefits of goat’s milk was responded well by kindergarten students, teachers and parents who were also present, by listening to the explanation of the counseling material. Many questions were asked by parents, ranging from the benefits of goat’s milk, how much to give and how to get it. These questions were generally well answered. For example, to get goat’s milk, mothers of kindergarten students can buy it in the market or by raising their own dairy goats. This is very possible because the village environment is still a lot of gardens that have not been utilized properly. If you can raise your own goats within the scope of a group of parents/mother of kindergarten students, then the fulfillment of goat’s milk can be done independently by a group of mothers/parents of kindergarten students.
The response of kindergarten students to goat milk and its preparations is also good, this is evident that the kindergarten children like the goat milk products provided. It is hoped that the socialization of the benefits of goat milk does not stop at socialization but parents can implement the consumption of goat milk for children of kindergarten students of Raudhatul Atfal Habibillah Albina Foundation in Pekik Nyaring village, Pondok Kelapa District, Central Bengkulu Regency.
