Our work in Timor-Leste
Supporting children and families in Timor-Leste since 1990.
Partnering for change in Timor-Leste
By collaborating with local partners, ChildFund has been working with communities in Timor-Leste since 1990. Our work has been supporting the wellbeing and development of children and their communities helping them thrive.
TIMOR-LESTE
A new country with a young and vulnerable population
Home to more than 1.2 million people, the Timorese population is young and vulnerable; more than 52 percent are under 25 years old. Completion rates in primary and secondary education are low, and youth unemployment is high. Widespread poverty, high infant mortality rates and a persisting legacy of violence are post-independence challenges.
Facts About Timor-Leste
Why your support is needed to help communities in Timor-Leste.
Low literacy levels
One-third of women and 20 percent of men in Timor-Leste cannot read or write.
Poor access to sanitation
Around 60% of the population has no access to sanitation facilities.
High malnutrition levels
1 in 4 women and nearly half of all children in Timor-Leste are estimated to be malnourished.
With your generosity, postive change is just the beginning
HEALTH AND NUTRITION
Upskilling medical professionals and community volunteers in child and maternal health
With more people in the community trained in child health, births are safer and improved pre and post-natal support and care are given to both mother and child.
QUALITY EDUCATION
Improving school completion rates in primary and secondary schools to reduce youth unemployment
ChildFund's work in Timor-Leste focuses on social and emotional wellbeing. Through educational youth and training programmes, children are empowered and given the skills and confidence to fulfill their full potential.
CHILD PROTECTION
Improving the safety of communities so more children are protected
Helping parents and communities increase their parenting skills along with raising awareness on the importance of reporting any form of abuse or violence against children.
Create Change for Communities in Timor-Leste
As a community sponsor, you'll help children, their families and their communities to create sustainable change. You'll help provide support to projects that improve education, access to water and healthcare, and that keep children safe from harm. You'll be supporting communities in Timor-Leste to thrive!
Stories and Updates
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
IN-COUNTRY PARTNERS
In most countries ChildFund New Zealand supports, we work directly with the country office, who then work with local partners. From head office to grassroots, the teams are in regular contact to ensure we understand the community's needs and can channel your donations to where they're most needed.
During our visits, we also ensure agreed-upon standards are met and policies are followed. We would like to acknowledge the following in-country partners with whom we work most closely in Timor-Leste, while also recognising the crucial importance of the local government bodies in our work.
ChildFund Timor-Leste
Focuses on education, health and nutrition, and improving livelihoods of their young community.
Ba Futuru
A non-profit organisation that works to protect children and women against violence, and empower them to learn.
Other Communities
We believe in creating sustainable change through long-term community programmes focused on achieving self-reliance.
The Pacific
Our work in the Pacific Islands began in 1994 in Papua New Guinea. Over time we extended our support to include communities in Kiribati and the Solomon Islands.
Sri Lanka
We have been helping children and communities in Sri Lanka since 2011. We are on our way to helping Batticaloa reach self-reliance.
Kenya
Our work in Kenya began in 2006. By 2026 children and communities in Emali will be sustainable and have unlocked self-reliance.