Food, Family and Community: Juan De La Cruz in Timor-Leste
4 December 2024
•By efreedman
On a hot verandah in rural Manatuto, Timor-Leste, a group of malae (foreigners) sipped strong Timorese coffee and snacked on local delicacies such as cassava with chilli sauce, bread rolls with butter and fresh plantain. As we ate, Joana*, a local health volunteer, shared the story of her younger sister’s pregnancy. Her words, a blend of English and Tetum, painted a vivid picture of the challenges families in her community face, particularly pregnant women and mothers trying to access basic healthcare.
Joana recounted how, in 2020, her sister went into labour and called for help. But during the wet season, the three-hour journey from their village to Dili – by car, boat, or even on foot – was impossible. Separated by water and isolated from medical support, both mother and baby tragically lost their lives. We may not have shared the same language or lived experiences, but a profound connection formed as we sat there, digesting the heaviness of Joana’s words over our shared meal. It was a quiet understanding, rooted in the deep sadness of a loss that could have been prevented, reminding us why conversations – and the moments of insight they bring – are so often woven together over food.
Among the group of malae was Juan, who had travelled to Timor-Leste to visit a health program supported by ChildFund. For the chef and ChildFund ambassador, this story was a powerful reminder of how food is truly a universal language of connection – a way to understand and engage with a place and its people. “Food is the expression of a culture,” he says. “It’s the best way to understand what people value, how they live and what they produce.” This belief took on even greater meaning during his visit to a nutrition and maternal health session in Manatuto.
“What I saw in Timor-Leste was truly inspiring,” Juan recalls. “Despite having so little, the people there were willing to share everything they had. That generosity, that sense of community – it’s what makes the difference. It’s what makes food so powerful.” As Juan witnessed firsthand, food is more than just sustenance; it’s a bridge between people, a way of expressing love and culture and the heart of any community.
"Food is the expression of a culture. It's the best way to understand what people value, how they live and what they produce.”
The Heart of the Family Table
It’s no surprise to those who know Juan (or recognise him from his appearance on a certain cooking show) that food has always been central to his life. Growing up in a large family with eight siblings, mealtimes were never quiet or predictable. Whether in Buenos Aires, Mendoza, or Santiago – cities his family moved between due to his father’s work as a pilot – food was the one constant that held them together.
"In Argentina, food is never just about eating," Juan says. "It’s about bringing people together. No matter how many times we moved or where we were, the kitchen was always the heart of our home."
From a young age, Juan found solace in the kitchen. Struggling with asthma, he couldn’t always join in outdoor activities, so he gravitated toward the warmth and comfort of the kitchen. “That’s when I started learning to cook with my mum,” he recalls. “She cooked for the whole family every day, and I’d watch her, fascinated by how she turned simple ingredients into something that brought us all together. I remember asking to help, and she showed me how to make empanadas. That memory has always stuck with me – it was more than just cooking; it was a moment of connection.”
Whether cooking together in the kitchen with his mum or enjoying Sunday barbecues (a cherished tradition in Argentina), food was the heartbeat of family life. It continues to shape the way Juan sees the world today. But it was in Timor-Leste, with ChildFund Australia, that he truly saw how food – when coupled with education and support – could transform entire communities, help children grow healthy and strong, and give mums and mums-to-be peace of mind and the best possible start for their children. As Juan says, “Nutrition isn’t just about food. It’s about creating a foundation for change – helping families build healthier, stronger futures.”
Building Healthier Futures
Timor-Leste, one of the world’s newest nations to gain independence, is rich in cultural heritage but grapples with severe poverty. As one of the most disadvantaged countries in Asia, nutrition remains a critical concern, especially for families in rural areas. According to the World Food Programme (WFP) , nearly half of all children under five are stunted, 8.6% suffer from acute malnutrition, and 23% of women of reproductive age are anemic.
Malnutrition in Timor-Leste is driven by multiple factors, including insufficient nutrient intake due to poor breastfeeding and feeding practices, inadequate dietary diversity for infants and young children, lack of food safety, poor health-seeking behaviours and limited access to clean water and sanitation. Together, these challenges create a vicious cycle that is difficult to break, especially in remote areas with few resources.
In response to these challenges, ChildFund Timor-Leste and its partners are working tirelessly to improve nutrition and health for pregnant women, mothers, and children, especially in the country’s most isolated regions. Health sessions and activities – such as cooking demonstrations, hygiene education and teaching the importance of washing ingredients – aim to tackle malnutrition and improve health. Juan witnessed the pressing need for nourishing foods and how food is central to empowering communities to improve their circumstances.
A Community Effort
In Manatuto, Juan worked alongside the Mothers Support Group, a dedicated network of women (and a few men) committed to helping mothers navigate pregnancy with confidence. The focus? Rest, hydration and better nutrition. Together, they prepared a nutrient-rich porridge with chicken, kidney beans, leafy greens, pumpkin and moringa, a local superfood.
One health volunteer shared, “Most families prefer local food because store-bought options are too expensive. They have access to food, but their knowledge of nutrition is limited.”
As Juan chopped vegetables for the porridge, he laughed and exchanged a few words in Portuguese and English with the volunteers, all peeling pumpkin together. Despite the language barrier, the simple act of cooking became a shared expression of care and connection.
"Nutrition isn’t just about food. It’s about creating a foundation for change – helping families build healthier, stronger futures.”
One of the women Juan served was Maria*, 22, a mother with a 3-month-old baby boy. Maria had recently started attending ChildFund's health and nutrition sessions at her local centre. Before these sessions, Maria's diet consisted mainly of plain rice porridge and a few vegetables – the typical diet for many breastfeeding mothers in the community. However, since learning about nutrition, Maria has begun incorporating more nutrient-dense foods into her cooking, with excellent results fpr her and her baby's health. “The health volunteers measured his upper mid-arm," Maria said, smiling. "They were shocked because he’s healthier than most babies his age!”
The Power of Nutrition
Investing in the nutrition of mothers and children goes beyond improving health; it’s about empowering communities to break the cycle of malnutrition and build stronger foundations for future generations. In Timor-Leste, families are gaining the knowledge and confidence to transform their children’s futures. Through ChildFund’s programs, they receive practical education in nutrition, hygiene and safe childbirth. The true impact, however, lies in the lasting changes families make for their children. When children are well-fed, they grow stronger, healthier and more focused, unlocking their full potential. While these communities are incredibly resilient, they still face challenges that require continued help. “When you support ChildFund, you’re not just feeding a child for one day – you’re investing in the future of families eager to change their lives but lacking the resources to do so,” says Juan. It's a reminder that the simplest meals can have the greatest impact. Education in nutrition can change lives, not just in Timor-Leste, but worldwide. With your help, we can continue equipping children and families with the tools they need to build better futures – one meal at a time. As Juan puts it, "Food isn’t just a need. It’s a lifeline."
*Names have been changed to protect individuals' identity.
Learn more about our work in Timor-Leste.
