Mary Ward International Australia knows that strong women equal strong communities and that investing in women will promote economic growth and employment opportunities.
In Timor-Leste, we are committed to forming community-based partnerships, drawing on discussions with women and their desire to transform their lives, families and communities. Female participation in leadership is critical to transforming unjust systems and structures. The women of Hamelale and HAFUCO are role models to other women and their communities.
Thanks to our supporters, we raised sufficient funds at the end of 2023 to support two women-led cooperatives in Timor-Leste. The following updates are a testament to the results of investing in women for the benefit of all.
At Hamelale, women are leading the way. The farming co-op in Timor-Leste is proof that strong woman equal strong communities. Eleven emerging female leaders formed the small-scale farming cooperative, Hamelale – meaning “through the long grass” – to attain financial independence. The women balance family and household duties with managing a successful poultry farm, food production business and savings scheme.
Typically, women in Timor-Leste face economic constraints due to patriarchal norms, prioritising child-rearing and home duties over employment opportunities and income generation.
MWIA has committed to supporting Hamelale in expanding its business by building a new chicken house. Currently, Hamelale sells chickens to local restaurants and at the local market, as well as making and selling food products such as sweet potato noodles and desserts.
Expanding their enterprise will provide increased support to the women, their families, and the broader community by increasing their poultry production, maximising their wholesale and retail opportunities while enhancing their business skills. Hamelale will continue to lead their community by example, showcasing the power of resilience, determination and teamwork.
The building is almost complete, with pathways between rooms of the chicken house to be laid. Once finished, additional chickens will be purchased.
Under the leadership of Maria da Costa Tilman, HAFUCO is an established women-led cooperative that supports women and the broader community in enhancing their quality of life through health, nutrition and financial management training. The group manages a neighbouring farm where they grow products used to prepare nutritious food and produce packaged banana and sweet potato chips for sale in local shops.
HAFUCO (Haburas Futuru Comunidade – “Growing the Future with the Community”) had been operating in a small, cluttered space used for administration, cooking and selling products; however it lacked appropriate space for training and meetings.
MWIA had committed to supporting HAFUCO to construct a purpose-built training facility to ensure the group can deliver vital training to the community.
Thanks to our supporters, the training room is now complete. The new building is already operational and training sessions are taking place in the facility.
Women and the community will soon have increased opportunities to learn financial management and small-scale farming skills, expand their understanding of health and nutrition needs (including the importance of breastfeeding), and be equipped with the tools needed to address family violence.
In addition to the range of training that HAFUCO offers, the regular group activities that bring women together prove to be supportive and life-giving to many. The objective is to establish groups to help women and the broader society improve the community’s health, economic well-being, and education.
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