80% of children in orphanages worldwide have one living parent. In Timor-Leste, it’s no different. A Timorese child is considered an orphan if they only have one parent. 

Family is very important in Timor-Leste. 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 child resides in an orphanage.  

CET was initially established to assist children who weren’t able to live permanently with their family. When safe to do so, a child spent school holidays with their family, or extended family. By 2023, CET helped the children transition to live safely and permanently in their care of family members.