Restoring educational opportunities and building local management capacity
The state education system in Timor-Leste, one of the least developed countries in the world, is supported and funded by the government, but many parish-run Catholic schools are in very poor condition. While the students attending St Teresinha Catholic Junior High School are lucky enough to receive some form of education, the school building is in such a state of disrepair and so badly damaged by water, that it is unusable during the wet season that classes.
In collaboration with the parishes of Burleigh Heads, Australia, and Ossu, Timor-Leste, the Marist Brothers are supporting the redevelopment of St Teresinha Catholic Junior High School. Years of water damage have left the buildings so unsound that the school faces imminent closure. This would be a serious setback for a country already struggling to provide education for its young population, 40% of whom are under the age of fourteen.
The redevelopment project involves a total renovation of the existing building to include six classrooms, a staffroom, principal’s office, small library, administration space plus toilet blocks for 20 staff and 450 students.
We can prevent more children losing access to education. Donate now to help us rebuild St Teresinha Catholic School and the lives of its students.
