Jose's story

Jose, who is the youngest of four and the only one of his family to ever have been to school is eight years old and lives in Laisorolai, a small village in the Baucau district of East Timor. He was having to walk 7km twice a day to reach the nearest school as his own village school was derelict. While Jose was keen to learn and enjoyed school, the journey was very demanding and once the rainy season came he could not cross the river and there was no choice but to miss school.

Children in Crisis has now rebuilt and equipped a school just five minutes from where he lives. The new building relied heavily on local materials and the support of the community and with the conditions the way they were took almost 18 months to complete. Now Jose has enrolled and is full of pride for his community school and excited about the future:

"My first day at the new school was something I will always remember. I was so proud of everyone who helped to build it. I can almost see my school from my house. I will be able to come here all year round, even when the rains are at their worst."