This month, the Bakhita community came together for an extraordinary health initiative, completing over 250 health checks in just two days for our students, parents, course participants, and wider community members. This effort reflects our commitment not only to education, but to the overall wellbeing of the families we serve.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Ministry of Health for their partnership and for equipping us with an exceptional team of local doctors, dentists, nurses, and pharmacists. Their expertise and care ensured every participant received personalised, professional attention. We also express our deepest appreciation to Specialist Brea and Dr. Chalice (GP) for their outstanding support, kindness, and dedication.
After the community health checks, Specialist Brea, GP Dr. Chalice, and Surgeon Dr. Malcolm continued their outreach by visiting local Ministry of Health facilities and traditional medicine centres to better understand local practices and challenges. They collaborated at the hospital, assisting with several trauma cases, and travelled to Fatuberliu and Alas to conduct specialist community outreach for families who rarely access specialist medical care.
The following day, the team supported specialist equipment training and assisted hospital staff in revising and strengthening the trauma response process, helping build long-term capacity for emergency care in Same.
A big thank you goes to our Australian Medical Outreach Team and to the local Ministry of Health in Same for their partnership, professionalism, and shared commitment. This work is part of a long-term collaboration that will continue in the months and years ahead.
Why Health Matters: The Link Between Wellness and Learning
At the Bakhita School of Excellence, the number one reason students miss school is illness. When children are sick, they fall behind academically. When parents or caregivers are unwell, routines break down and families face increased stress. Improving community health directly improves attendance, concentration, behaviour, and learning outcomes.
Health challenges in Timor-Leste remain significant, especially for children:
- Timor-Leste has one of the highest rates of child malnutrition in Southeast Asia, with around half of children under five affected by stunting.
- Many children experience micronutrient deficiencies, impacting energy, immunity, and brain development.
- Preventable illnesses — such as respiratory infections, diarrhoea, dental disease, and untreated wounds — continue to be major causes of children missing school.
When we provide health checks, nutritional assessments, dental reviews, and early treatment, we are not just caring for today’s needs — we are removing barriers to learning, improving long-term development, and helping children arrive at school healthy, ready, and able to grow.
Healthy children learn better.
Healthy families support stronger communities.
Healthy communities create brighter futures.
This is why we invest in health: because health and education go hand in hand, and together they build the foundation for a stronger Timor-Leste.