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.
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).
“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 is an inspiring leader, mother and community health volunteer who is creating positive change in her community.
Adelina is ready to represent people with a disability when her community prepares for, and responds to, natural disasters.
"I am thrilled she is now healthy. It’s a joy to see she has the energy to play with her friends."
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.”
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:
Alarico on the frontline of healthcare
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.
“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.
It Takes Us All
Seven out of ten children in Timor-Leste are affected by physical and sexual violence at home. We must act now to end violence against children.
