Ten years ago, the generosity of Mary Ward International supporters and the Australian Loreto schools made it possible to build a preschool in Gari-uai, Timor-Leste. It was an investment in the future, a belief that every child deserves an opportunity to learn, grow, and flourish from the very beginning.
During my recent visit to Timor-Leste, accompanied by Australian Loreto Sister Natalie Houlihan, I had the privilege of returning to Gari-uai and witnessing the lasting impact of that vision firsthand.
Walking into the preschool, I was struck by the energy and joy within the classrooms. Children were engaged, curious, and eager to learn. Their laughter filled the space as they played, explored, and developed the foundations that will shape their future education.
The preschool is a place of belonging as much as learning. It provides children with a safe and nurturing environment during the crucial early years of development, while also supporting families who recognise the importance of quality early childhood education.
One of the strongest impressions of my visit was the growing demand within the region for quality education, particularly in the early years. Families seek opportunities that give their children the strongest possible start in life, understanding that early education builds confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love
of learning.
Under the dedicated leadership of Director Sonia, the preschool continues to meet this need. Sonia brings creativity and energy to her leadership, encouraging both the children and staff to participate, explore, and learn. Her commitment and care are evident in the positive atmosphere throughout the preschool.
Ten years after it was built, the preschool at Loreto Centro Gari-uai shows what the Loreto community can achieve together, creating opportunities that span generations.
While the preschool was the focus of my visit, I was also fortunate to spend time with other communities connected to Mary Ward International’s mission in Timor-Leste.
Meeting the women involved in small livelihood initiatives at HAFUCO, Hamelale, and the Mary Ward Sewing Centre gave me further insight into the strength and determination of local communities. These initiatives create opportunities for women to develop skills, confidence, and independence. The pride of the women I met was evident as they shared their achievements and their plans for the future.
Across all these encounters, one message was clear: the role of Mary Ward International and the Loreto Sisters is not simply to deliver projects, but to walk alongside communities, to understand their aspirations, recognise their strengths, and support them as they shape their own futures.
The visit left me reflecting, not only on what has been achieved, but on what comes next.
The work of the Loreto Sisters in Timor-Leste is grounded in listening: listening to communities, understanding what matters to them, and responding to the needs of
the time.
As communities grow and change, new opportunities and challenges emerge. The aspirations of families remain much the same: parents want their children to have pathways to learning, women seek opportunities to strengthen their economic independence, and communities value partnerships that recognise their own knowledge and priorities. What changes over time is how we listen and respond to those aspirations.
The greatest gift of this visit was seeing that a decade of generosity helped create a foundation for possibility. Now, together with our local partners and the Loreto Sisters, we look ahead with confidence to what may grow next.
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