Rebuilding Children's Lives and Community Post War

Today more than 60 per cent of the population in Timor-Leste is under the age of 18. Almost half are undernourished. Infant and under five mortality rates are relatively high; 12 per cent of children by the age of five. Malaria, diarrhea and respiratory infections are common and health risks are increased by contaminated drinking water, inadequate sanitation and poor nutrition.

Only one in five children attend secondary school. Literacy rates are low and domestic and gender based violence commonplace. The future will be a major challenge; the unemployment rate is currently 43 per cent among young urban males.

The Child and Community Centre in Viqueque, Timor-Leste, was one of the first centres of its kind in the country. Initially, the Centre offered Timorese children a place of stability and play, where they could heal from the trauma of war.

The Centre developed to offer health care, nutrition, education, after-school and youth activities, plus psychological and health advice for parents. Now, the Centre is entirely locally managed and receives funding from the local education department. It has integrated into the local kindergarten system and also offers a library and study space for older children and the community.

Hundreds of children attend the Centre daily. It has not only become a place of safety and learning, but a place where children can learn to be children again.

We are very grateful to The Body Shop Australia who partner us in funding this unique project and additionally support us by providing volunteers for the annual playschemes.