Stop malnutrition in Timor-Leste
Malnutrition has a devastating impact on children’s cognitive development and working memory, critical functions for learning and understanding. In Timor-Leste, one of the world’s newest countries, 47% of children under five were stunted and 32% underweight by 2020. This means children are struggling to learn, remember information, and thrive in school.
We need your urgent help to break the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition and persistent hunger in Timor-Leste.
The HATUTAN program has a proven track record of success
Since 2019, HATUTAN has collaborated with the Government and schools in Timor-Leste to improve student reading and health practices at home and school. By enabling access to resources and knowledge, HATUTAN empowers people to produce, sell, and buy healthy food.
- Improved student attendance and attentiveness
- Improved scores for reading and cognitive abilities
- Increased parent participation at schools
14%
increase in working memory
8%
increase in overall literacy scores
27%
percentage of second-grade students able to read (up from 2%) in Oecusse
Last month, we received the devastating news that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has terminated the HATUTAN program in Timor Leste. What was a three year program will no longer be funded from June 30th. A program that provides food and education programs to 70,000 students.
In Timor-Leste, nearly half of all children under five suffer from stunting, one of the highest rates in the world that means that half of all children are not able to grow properly because they are so malnourished.
The consequences of stunting are far-reaching. Children going hungry is, in itself, disturbing. The effects are long lasting. Children who are stunted are more likely to struggle in school and earn less income throughout their lives. This not only affects the individuals but also continues the cycles of poverty within communities and the country as a whole. Addressing stunting and other forms of malnutrition is therefore critical not only for the health of children but also for the future prosperity of Timor-Leste.
A collective effort
Adelina is a devoted mother of four, living in a rural part of Timor-Leste’s Manatuto municipality. She has always felt a strong sense of responsibility to contribute to her neighbours’ wellbeing.
For her, the rise of malnutrition amongst the local children is the most pressing concern. In many rural areas, where schools often face
underfunding and a lack of resources, parents like Adelina play a crucial role in ensuring children receive nutritious meals that support their learning and growth.
Families have to choose between harvesting their vegetables to feed their families or selling them at the market for income.
“[HATUTAN] is a collective effort to ensure children receive the right nutrients while at school. Now, parents contribute fresh produce to the program as well. [HATUTAN is] helping us create real change in the lives of our children and families.”
We need your support
Right now, HATUTAN is supporting the delivery of food for school meals to children in municipalities with the highest rates of malnutrition (Oecusse, Ermera, and Ainaro) during the lean season.
But we need to do more.
HATUTAN aims to support over 10,000 students (50% girls) through improved literacy, nutrition, health and hygiene. Your donation can help schoolchildren to thrive at school and in their communities.
Your tax-deductible donation will directly support the HATUTAN project and help us create real change in the lives of children and families in Timor-Leste.
Donate today and help us fight malnutrition in Timor-Leste.
