In the last week of August 2024, I found myself in the serene hills of Gleno in Ermera, a place where the air feels fresher and the gentle breeze whispers through the trees. The view was stunning, with tall peaks and lush forests brimming with life. Ermera is also known for growing the aromatic coffee that Timor-Leste is famous for, as well as cocoa and vegetables.
I was there to meet forty young people currently in mentorship training with Ba Faturu, a UNICEF partner NGO. As I joined the group, I felt a sense of hope and energy in the air, eager to hear their stories. With the help of Joanico, our Adolescent Development Officer, I spoke with two young girls, Maria and Eufraginia, about their lives, dreams, and the challenges they face.
As we chatted, the conversation drifted from the calm beauty of Ermera to the harsh realities of life in the remote community of Ermera. Maria, who comes from a large family with four brothers and four sisters, spoke candidly about her family's daily struggles. I could see the heaviness in her eyes as she described the tough choices they must make—whether to put nutritious food on the table or provide a decent education for their children. Maria herself is a biology student, but at what cost? Like many families here, her family grows staples, fruits, and vegetables but often has to sell them for income, leaving them reliant on imported processed foods for their own family meals.
Yet, amidst these challenges, Maria's spirit shone through. She spoke passionately about the support her community has received from successive governments and international organizations, believing it has laid the groundwork for a brighter future for Timor-Leste. “I hope our children and youth will continue to receive the support they need to thrive and carry our legacy forward,” she said. In that moment, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of her words; they carried the dreams of countless families longing for a better tomorrow.
Investing in children from the first 1,000 days
As we talked, it became clear how crucial the first 1,000 days of a child’s life truly are. Both WFP and UNICEF underscore the significance of this period—the Golden Period of Growth and Development—when a child’s physical, cognitive, and social foundations are built. Investments in essential nutrition, immunization, clean water, sanitation, healthcare during this period are critical, as also confirmed by The World Bank . What happens in these days shapes not only a child’s immediate well-being but also their future health, learning, and success in life.
Getting this moment right can make all the difference in helping children and families overcome the challenges of poverty and limited access to services. Timor-Leste is home to 1.3 million people,42 percent of whom are children. Access to appropriate and adequate social protection support can help lift families out of poverty and address the significant nutritional challenges the country currently is facing.
Investing more to tackle the challenges
Poverty is a major barrier to giving children a strong start in life. In Timor-Leste, many families struggle to provide healthy food, bring their children for immunizations and medical care, and learn how to take care of their children properly.
A 2021 study by the Timor-Leste Ministry of Health revealed that only 26 percent of the poorest mothers give birth with skilled attendants, while 90 percent of wealthier mothers do. Postnatal care also varies widely: just 13 percent of babies born to poorer families receive postnatal care compared to 58 percent for wealthier families. According to the UN Joint Estimates of Child Mortality, about 86 percent of child deaths under five occur before their first birthday, with an infant mortality rate of 42 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022. While these statistics can seem cold and distant, they remind us to approach this issue with empathy—a lesson reinforced by my conversations with Eufraginia and Maria.
Large-scale studies in countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, and India show that providing mothers and caregivers with social support and practical advice can greatly improve the nutrition, health, and development of young children. During my time at UNICEF in India and Bangladesh, I had the chance to connect with mothers and caregivers directly. These experiences deepened my understanding of how effective social protection programs can be for families, addressing health, nutrition, and food security, while also breaking the cycle of poverty and social exclusion.
Timor-Leste has made significant commitments to social protection, budgeting around 10 percent of its Gross Domestic Product in 2024 for social security and assistance programs. However, of the US$205 million allocated for social protection, only 15 percent is directed toward children, focusing mainly on those over five years old in school. Unfortunately, this leaves younger children and those not attending school due to poverty or disability without direct support.
This is where we can make the biggest difference: ensuring that families like Maria’s, who want nothing but the best for their children, have the social protection support during their children’s earliest years. So that no parent has to make a choice between feeding their children and educating them.
