For Bartolomeu, a husband and father of two, participating in our Food Security Program in Timor-Leste has been life-changing. “The training we’ve received has been invaluable,” he says.
Just two years ago, Bartolomeu and his family were living from day-to-day, struggling with food insecurity and the constant fear of malnutrition. No matter how hard they toiled using traditional farming techniques, their farm did not produce enough food to fill their plates and there was never anything left over to sell for additional income.
Like other struggling farmers in the Railaco region of Timor-Leste, at that time Bartolomeu could see no end in sight to their enduring poverty and hunger.
“We have the ability to enjoy our earnings now, but also save for our children’s future.”
Bartolomeu
The innovative Food Security Program run by our local partner, Jesuit Social Service Timor-Leste, has supported farmers in the region to learn new farming techniques that are transforming their lives.
Although around 70 percent of people in Timor-Leste rely on agriculture for their income, it is a challenging place to farm. The country is very mountainous, with extremely rough terrain. In the dry season, rocky soil, low rainfall and water shortages make growing crops very difficult; while in the wet season heavy rains result in erosion, soil loss and diminished water quality.
This has a massive impact on our sisters and brother across the country. Tragically, the vast majority of Timorese are affected by food insecurity and worse yet, malnutrition is at epidemic proportions, with 46 percent of children under five are suffering from malnutrition.
In Railaco and the surrounding region – including Bartolomeu’s village – the situation is even more dire. Only a tiny fraction of people here have access to reliable sources of nutritious food, and fewer still have sustainable income streams.
Most families are struggling to survive on an average income of just A$2.40 per day.
With the key aim of improving food security and increasing agricultural output, since 2022 our innovative program has been working since 2022, empowering almost 400 farming families every year with skills and training including:
- Diversifying crops
- new techniques for planting seedlings, trees and vegetables
- managing water resources
- making and using organic fertiliser
- nutrition and healthy eating for the family
For Bartolomeu, the impact of the program has been profound. Like other farmers in the program, he’s dramatically increased his farm’s productivity and the quality of his crops.
“We’ve learned everything from growing vegetables effectively to preparing good nursery techniques to making organic fertilisers and managing water irrigation. This knowledge has been a game-changer for us,” he says.
Not only is Bartolomeu now able to feed his family with wonderfully nutritious, organic food, Jesuit Social Service has helped him form a partnership with a buyer who purchases vegetables directly from Bartolomeu’s farm, ensuring he has a secure market for his goods at fair prices.
Having honed his new skills, Bartolomeu is now sharing his knowledge to help uplift more families in the community. Through the Jesuit Social Service Program, he is also working with others to create a better future for his family and the surrounding communities.
“This program has helped us to establish a cooperative for saving money and engaged a group for community building. We have the ability to enjoy our earnings now, but also save for our children’s future,” he says.
The road ahead for Bartolomeu and his community will not be without its challenges. There is still work to do to limit the impact of the rainy season each year, improve soil quality, control pests and create infrastructure to grow productivity, but with the support of people like you, this new beginning will turn into a better life, filled with plenty for generations to come.
Find out more about the Food Security Program
Bartolomeu featured in our Christmas Appeal 2024.
