Helping children in Timor-Leste to continue learning and playing during COVID-19

Hundreds of pre-school children in rural and remote communities in Timor-Leste have received learning packs from ChildFund, allowing them to continue their education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier this year a roll-out of government restrictions to curb the impact and spread of the virus in Timor-Leste resulted in the closure of schools across the country, leaving many children in disadvantaged communities without access to opportunities to learn and play.

Over the past several weeks ChildFund Timor-Leste has been distributing educational packs to children in 10 early childhood development centres in Liquica and Lautem municipalities. More than 350 children have received a pack, which includes storybooks, toys, Lego, jigsaw puzzles, balls, drawing and writing materials, as well as soap and information on COVID-19 and hygiene.

Four-year-old Jenilda was scheduled to start school for the first time at an early education centre supported by ChildFund in Lautem when the pandemic hit.

She was eager to start learning, her mother Victoria says, but when the centre was forced to close because of government restrictions, Jenilda had to stay home and her education was delayed.

The learning pack Jenilda received from ChildFund has brought her a lot of joy and kept her mind and body active, says Victoria.

“The materials help our children play and learn at home,” Victoria says.