Meals feed more than 1,700 youth in first half of 2025

(MissionNewswire) Youth attending Salesian schools, orphanages and youth centers in Timor-Leste had access to better nutrition through a partnership between Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, and Rise Against Hunger, a nonprofit that helps underserved people worldwide achieve food security and resilience through nutrition, education and economic empowerment. In the first half of 2025, Rise Against Hunger meals fed 1,766 youth across 24 centers around the country.

Dircia, a 17-year-old young woman, lives at the Franciscan Sister’s Youth Center and Boarding House in Tibar in the Liquica District. Liquica is a coastal and mountainous municipality in the northern part of Timor-Leste, with a population of 75,000. The local economy is based on agriculture with coffee, red bananas, cassava and livestock as key products. Farmers face challenges in accessing markets due to poor infrastructure and terrible roads.

Dircia had nine siblings, with two passing away when they were children due to malnutrition. Her mother passed away after delivering Dircia’s youngest brother. The siblings were sent to different youth centers and orphanages. She and her siblings all have experienced better nutrition through Rise Against Hunger meals.

Dircia is thankful for the Rise Against Hunger meals and said that they have taught her about taking care of others’ well-being first. She promises to study hard because she wants a good job in the future to improve her life and be of service to others.

Sister Erminia Soares, coordinator of Franciscan Youth Center, said, “Dircia is a very good, soft-spoken person who is always caring for others. She has a strong connection with her other siblings and often visits them at other centers. The Rise Against Hunger meals are very helpful because they provide for the nutritional well-being of our students who come from the very poor families in the countryside.”

Salesian missionaries and Salesian sisters living and working in Timor-Leste operate educational programs, three orphanages for youth who are poor and homeless, and a medical clinic. In the wake of the devastating war that claimed countless lives, decimated entire communities and resulted in living conditions that are among the worst in the world, the Salesian community has been providing programs to help residents rebuild. Efforts are focused on helping poor youth through education and providing new opportunities for the future.

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Sources:

Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Rise Against Hunger

Salesian Missions – Timor-Leste

World Bank – East Timor/Timor-Leste