Timor–Leste

#IWD2021: Empowering Timorese Women in Leadership

This International Women's Day 2021, we celebrate women's achievements and take action for equality. In World Vision Timor Leste, women make up 55% of the management team. We continue to honour the Timorese women like Lidia, who demonstrate remarkable leadership and resiliency.

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Madalena ready to respond to disasters

Madalena’s community in rural Bobonaro is prone to natural disasters like flooding, landslides, high winds, prolonged drought and fire, which often cause devastation to homes and livelihoods. Read on about how Madalena's village received support from World Vision through the Disaster READY project.

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Better Food Better Health project

Communities in Timor-Leste are learning about chicken and egg production as part of World Vision’s Better Food Better Health project. The project is helping families to grow, eat and sell nutritious ‘superfoods’ to improve child nutrition, and is supported by the Australian Government, through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).

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(Left to right) Tricia (7), Devia (9) and Desia (5) drink water. The Water for Future project provided clean water for drinking which improves child health. Photo: Jaime dos Reis/World Vision

Devia’s health improves with access to clean water

“Now I can bathe every day, drink boiled water, and wash my hands before eating or after going to the toilet,” 9-year-old Devia said.

Terezinha takes the lead for child nutrition

Terezinha is an inspiring leader, mother and community health volunteer who is creating positive change in her community.

Adelina represents people with a disability in her village’s Disaster Management Committee.

A voice for the vulnerable in disasters

Adelina is ready to represent people with a disability when her community prepares for, and responds to, natural disasters.

Improved nutrition sets Astrya up for a brighter future

"I am thrilled she is now healthy. It’s a joy to see she has the energy to play with her friends."

Couples cooking competition

A key ingredient in nutrition promotion

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Walking to school no longer a risk for Sara

Sara and her friends no longer have to worry about crossing the dangerous creek in the rainy season. “I am very happy because now we walk over the bridge,” she said. “If there is rain we will not be afraid anymore to walk to school. We will not miss out on class and not be late to class.”

1.2 million

Population, total

Dili

Capital City

1.6 billion

GDP (current US$)

World Vision Timor-Leste began its first project in Aileu municipality in 1995. In 1999, World Vision opened its national office in Dili. Today, we have three Area Programs implementing projects in four municipalities: Aileu, Baucau, Bobonaro and Covalima.

Our mission is ‘Healthy children for strong communities’. We recognise that children’s health is holistic in nature, including their physical, mental, intellectual and social wellbeing. We aim to empower Timorese children to transform their lives, in partnership with their families and communities.

Our three strategic areas are:

Ensure children enjoy good health, safe water and improved sanitation
Reduce violence against women and children
Enhance community resilience and livelihoods

Better Food Better Health Project

Alarico on the frontline of healthcare

IMPROVED NUTRITION

For many families in rural Timor-Leste, the closest health facility is a two hour walk away. When children get sick, parents often have to rely on the health volunteer that lives in their community.

Community health volunteers are on the frontline of healthcare in Timor-Leste. Alarico, a 36-year-old father of three from Covalima, is one of them.

GALLERY

Planting seeds of hope

“In the past, I didn’t understand what nutritious foods are and was not trained on how to produce and prepare good and nutritious food for my family to eat,” Francisca said.

When Francisca and her husband Fernando joined a farmers group, they learned agricultural techniques to help them grow nutritious local foods, like orange sweet potato. Their group is supported by the TOMAK (To’os ba Moris Di’ak) Farming for Prosperity project.