Orphanage
Centro de Ensino e Treinamento (CET)
Centre for Teaching and Training
Encouraging family
80% of children in orphanages worldwide have 1 living parent. In Timor it’s no different. A Timorese child is considered an orphan if s/he only has one parent.
Family is very important in Timor. Commonly, the extended family or neighbours look after, and adopt, children whose parent/s are not able to care for them. In dire circumstances, the children reside in an orphanage.
CET was initially established to assist children who weren’t able to live permanently with their families. When it was safe to do so, the children spent school holidays with their families, or extended families. By 2023, CET helped the children transition to live safely and permanently in their care of family members.
A safe place
In certain circumstances, it’s not safe for children to live in their homes. There are many heartbreaking stories including one girl who was sold to a family for a buffalo. She was abused for years by that family until a remarkable Timorese woman found out about the child. The woman, Maria, bought the child off the family for several thousand dollars.
There are many other children in similar circumstances. Proceeds will go towards buying the freedom of the children sold into abuse. Timorese, such as the amazing Maria, help them find safe, loving homes.