Giving birth in a health facility is one of the keys to ensuring the safety of the baby during the delivery process because giving birth in a health facility is safer than giving birth at home.

“So far I have received information from the Alola program, including when I was pregnant until I gave birth in a health facility, I am happy because everything went well and I am happy that I was able to receive this package,” said Ursula Andrade, one of the mothers who received the maternity package at the Holarua village hall.

As a Feto organization, Alola Foundation gives full dedication through the programs it manages to strengthen and change the status of women to become stronger. To realize this dream, various efforts have been made, including strengthening the health sector to provide maternal and child insurance as an important key to the country’s future.

The presence of GASC coordinator Filipe da Costa and his delegates at two SHIO group activities in two villages in Manufahi motivated SHIO members to continue their important tasks for improving maternal and child health conditions, including observing cases of malnutrition. The GASC coordinator also conveyed great expectations for the dedication of the SHIO group.

“We can give deep attention to democracy, human rights, peace, stability, but if poverty, poor nutrition conditions, we can’t do anything, I hope this activity can be a model and guide for other civil society organizations in Timor-Leste and put it as a priority”, said GASC Coordinator, Filipe da Costa.

The GASC Coordinator expressed pleasure for his special visit in Manufahi to directly observe the implementation of activities that received financial support from his cabinet. On behalf of GASC and the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Filipe da Costa expressed his gratitude for the dedication of the SHIO group.

“The activities you do are harder than the work we do but with these activities make our work a success”, the GASC Coordinator declared iha Holarua Village – Manufahi.

For one week, the Alola Team for the Maternal and Child Health program collaborated with Alola field staff for the Manufahi area and SHIO group members from 4 villages to carry out various activities in the community including socializing information about breast cancer prevention in 3 villages – Letefoho, Holarua and Daisua. One hundred more people participated, including pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, children to local leaders.

“I am very happy because this program is very good, on behalf of the village head, I just want to express my deep gratitude”, said Ricardo de Araujo who represented the Letefoho Village Head.

Although Timor-Leste has made significant improvements in reducing mortality, efforts need to be made to continue to improve maternal and child health, especially to address the problem of malnutrition for children under 5 years of age which continues to be a critical problem for the country. Cooperation between various components including Fundasaun Alola is still needed for the continuation of achieving significant changes in the health conditions of mothers and children. You too can be involved in this great action. Your support will accelerate the achievement of the Alola Foundation’s mission of making “‘Strong Women, Strong Nation’ a reality.

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