The Rise of BKB Father’s Class in Mambalan Village, West Lombok
20 April 2026
September remains an unforgettable month for Baiq Nurdiana, the volunteer coordinator of Mambalan Village in Gunungsari. It was on September 19, 2025, that her village held its very first socialization and pilot session for the BKB Father’s Class (Kelas Ayah). This initiative was a direct follow-up to the 1,000 Days of Life (HPK) Parenting Training for volunteers, a collaborative effort facilitated by Plan International, family planning field workers (PKB), and the Mambalan Village Government.
The pilot session was attended by 30 participants, including fathers of toddlers and teenagers, as well as young men who are preparing for marriage. The 90-minute session was a significant milestone, not only for the material covered but also for its sustainability; the entire activity was funded by the village budget, covering transportation stipends and meals for the attendees. The core curriculum focused on parenting and the prevention of child marriage, which they refer to as Marriage Age Maturation (PUP). Facilitated by Sri Ayuningsih, other cadre at Mambalan, the session struck an emotional chord by asking participants to reflect on their own childhood memories with their fathers. This nostalgic exercise helped the men realize the profound impact of a father’s presence, emphasizing that child-rearing should not be the mother’s burden alone and that fathers must serve as positive role models.
For Baiq Nurdiana, seeing the Father’s Class finally come to life was the culmination of her persistent advocacy to the village government. While she was thrilled with the turnout, she also came away with important insights for the future. She realized that she and her fellow volunteers require specialized training to facilitate sessions for men. She noted that fathers often ask more complex, context-driven questions compared to the more straightforward inquiries typically raised in mothers’ groups. To manage the Father’s Class effectively, she believes volunteers still need ongoing mentorship from specialized speakers and field workers.
Despite these challenges, Baiq Nurdiana is determined to move forward. Her hope is that organizations like BKKBN, the District Health Office, or Plan International can provide dedicated facilitator training and management workshops for the volunteers. She is particularly encouraged by the concrete commitments made by the village government following the pilot session. The village has agreed to formalize the BKB Father’s Class volunteers with an official decree (SK), allocate a specific budget for the program in every hamlet, and procure the necessary educational media. Most importantly, the classes will be integrated into local boarding schools, community centers, and religious study groups, ensuring that the message of involved fatherhood becomes a permanent part of the village’s social fabric.
