Early Childhood Development Initiative

You made a difference this year in the lives of vulnerable people in Timor-Leste.   Thank you.

Without support from people like you willing to contribute to making the lives of others better – Ba Futuru simply could not continue to operate.  This is critical given that Timor-Leste remains one of the poorest countries in the world: in 2013 it was ranked 134th out of 187 countries in the United Nations’ Human Development Index.

We have worked hard this year at Ba Futuru running more than 10 separate projects working to reduce violence, protect children, empower women and inspire young learners (more info at www.bafuturu.org).  This programming changed thinking and behaviour by directly engaging more than 1,200 parents, teachers, children, female leaders, youth and government officials – which further impacted the lives of mothers, babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers, high school students and women.  We used innovative film and community theatre to reach tens of thousands of additional people. We also hosted a PeaceJam youth conference and organized a series of arts workshops that culminated in events across Dili encouraging a safe environment for women and children to carry on their daily lives in public spaces. We have also been designing a parenting program together with experts on communications for behaviour change with support from UNICEF, which will be carried out by the government of Timor-Leste.

With the holiday season and a new year approaching we are reaching out to our supporters to contribute towards our $3000 goal to make a real difference in the lives of those who need it the most, the women and children of Timor-Leste.  Ba Futuru is part of Global Givings’ year end campaign. If you support our work through their online giving portal your donation is tax deductible and we can gain bonuses (your holiday giving will spread even further). Even a $10 donation will help or you can support a low income child to receive a quality early childhood education by giving only $70 a month! Join together with your friends to make this possible!

Please donate today. 

 https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/early-childhood/

 Help to spread the word by sending this information on supporting our important work onto family and friends!

 Thank you so much for your continued support of our work.

 In appreciation,  Sierra James

Seeing the rewards!

This is the time of year when we get to see the wonderful rewards and benefits of at risk children who have been fortunate enough to attend quality early childhood education.  Children are choosing their own writing, drawing, story-telling, singing and counting activities because they have experienced, responsive teachers and a stimulating play-based environment.  The children who have attended Ba Futuru preschool are heading off to start primary school with a love of learning, self-confidence, many different languages, important social skills and strong literacy skills. 

However, this is also the time of year when local community families are asking us if their child has been lucky enough to be selected for preschool next year.  This all depends on how much support we receive.  We do not currently have any major donors to support our early childhood education program and we are raising our own funds through closing the preschool for holiday programs and various other fundraising activities. 

Your support at this time means we can accept more children next year and say yes to more families who see education as the answer to alleviating poverty. 

Please support these children and their families by donating a preschool scholarship. 

Links:

• Ba Futuru's preschool website
• Ba Futuru's website