"Protect the contributions of women in East Timor"

Founded in 2001 by then First Lady Kirsty Sword Gusmao, the original mission of Alola Foundation in Timor-Leste was to raise awareness of the widespread sexual violence that was committed against East Timorese women during the turmoil of the independence movement. Under its clear mission 'Strong Women, Strong Nation,' the organization has devoted itself for the past 10 years to improvement of maternal and child health, education for women, and economic self-sufficiency, which were long neglected in the impoverished newly established country with a population of 1.1 million.

Timor-Leste has the highest maternal and infant mortality in South East Asia. About 90 percent of women give birth at home, and many infants suffer undernutrition. In 2003, Alola Foundation organized a nationwide volunteer community called Mother Support Groups, which has operated a variety of maternal and child health programs including breastfeeding initiatives, layette support, midwife dispatch, pre- and ante-natal healthcare, and childcare counseling, thereby considerably contributing to safe childbirth and a reduction in infant mortality. The foundation was conferred the UN Development Awards in 2004 in recognition of such endeavors.

The foundation has strived to empower women by offering them opportunities for self-development and education in Timor-Leste, a traditional patriarchal society. It selects about 450 students every year to offer them scholarships for middle and high school and college courses. It also runs the Women's Resource Center to provide basic computer education, vocational training, and women's educational programs through its District Support Worker Program. Furthermore, making the most of the craftwork-oriented industry in Timor-Leste, the foundation operates the Textile Center to develop the regional economy and help women increase household income. In addition, it has considerably contributed to poverty exit among women and enhancement of their socioeconomic status through improvement in the quality of traditional handmade crafts, and development of markets.

In an effort to improve the educational environment, which was undermined during the long period of colonial rule and because of the lack of a national educational system, Alola Foundation implements teacher competency development programs for preschool and primary school teachers. It also makes great contributions to advancing the country's education by establishing sisterhood relationships between Australian and East Timorese schools to increase mutual understanding between students, and by publishing and distributing textbooks in Tetum, the native language.