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In a rural community in Timor-Leste, mother-of-six Sidonia is planting seeds for change. As part of a growing woman-led movement focused on building a resilient future through farming, Sidonia is cultivating her own crops to protect her family’s nutrition and livelihood. And she is on a mission to empower more women in her close-knit community in Lautem Municipality to do the same.
“I really want to encourage more women to get involved in this farming group and start cultivating their own food because our land is very fertile,” she says. “We shouldn’t be consuming imported products all the time as they contain harmful chemicals.”
Located in a remote, mountainous region, Sidonia’s community is vulnerable to the effects of climate change including drought, earthquakes, flash flooding, and storms. In her community and many others across Timor-Leste, agricultural productivity has in the past been low and many families often face food scarcity. More than 70 per centof the population of Timor-Leste depend on rain-fed agriculture as a main source of income.
ChildFund Timor-Leste is working with its local partners to support Sidonia and other women in her community to grow nutritious vegetable farms that are adaptable to the impacts of climate change. ChildFund provided training and all the essential tools and resources, including vegetable seeds, water tanks, ladders, and plastic tunnels, needed to become a successful farmer. Through the project, Sidonia learnt how to grow a range of vegetables, including green mustard, cabbage, onions, lettuces, eggplant, and spinach.
I really want to encourage more women to get involved in this farming group and start cultivating their own food because our land is very fertile. We shouldn’t be consuming imported products all the time as they contain harmful chemicals.
Sidonia
But Sidonia’s farm is providing more than just healthy, nourishing food for her and her children; a surplus of crops is helping to sustain her household financially, specifically the costs of sending her children to school. As part of her training, Sidonia learnt how to best monetise her harvest to generate extra income. “I plant the vegetables mostly for my family’s daily consumption, but if we have more than enough we usually sell them to earn some money,” she says. “The crop results are always great, and we have harvested many times.”
Sidonia says her newfound sisterhood of farmers is helping to bolster the wider community. “When we sell the vegetables to other people, even to our neighbours, it means we are contributing to the local economy.”
Sidonia is a passionate farmer and inspiring leader, spearheading positive and sustainable change in her community. She hopes that more women can create their own farming groups and learn more about the benefits of growing local, nutritious food. “After all,” she says, “we women are keyholders in the family because we prepare the food.”
World Teachers’ Day 2024, held every year on 5 October, is an opportunity to celebrate all the incredible teachers dedicated to supporting children and young people for future success in all aspects of life. This is a day to acknowledge the contribution that teachers make in our lives, and to our schools and communities, but also the challenges they face globally.
A day to recognise and appreciate teachers
For Carolina, a local community-based pre-school teacher in Lautem municipality, Timor-Leste, World Teachers’ Day is a chance to stop and reflect on the important role of teachers around the world. It is time to show gratitude and appreciation for their hard work and dedication to children’s education.
“World Teachers’ Day is very special to us because it shows that all the communities are appreciating, recognising, and valuing our dedication, efforts, and hard work to support children to have a better future and for Timor-Leste to have a bright future,” she says.
“Teachers are the foundation for learning and education.”
Carolina, preschool teacher, Timor-Leste
Carolina teaching a student the alphabet in Lautem municipality, Timor-Leste.
Teaching is something that has always been close to Carolina’s heart. Ever since she was a little girl all she ever wanted was to be a teacher because it meant that she could share her knowledge to help educate children and set them up for future success. After all, without teachers there would be no other profession!
“Teachers are the foundation for learning and education,” she says. “Without teachers, many people would not have work or careers.”
Her message for World Teachers’ Day – to all the teachers – is very simple: “Please continue to stay committed and patient when teaching children. Children are very smart. We must treat children equally. Do not discriminate against children based on their skin colour, race, religion and gender, we need to embrace them all and work together with them.”
When is World Teachers’ Day?
World Teacher’s Day 2024 will be held on Saturday 5 October.
What is World Teachers’ Day about?
In 1994, UNESCO establishedWorld Teachers’ Daywith the aim to celebrate the advance in teachers’ rights made in recent decades.
In 1966, an intergovernmental conference in Paris adopted the UNESCO/ILO (International Labour Organisation)Recommendation about the Status of Teachers. This recommendation sets out not only the responsibilities and rights of teachers, but also international standards for teachers’ initial preparation, further education, employment, recruitment, and learning and teaching conditions.
This year’s focus underscores the urgency of calling for and attending to teachers’ voices to address their challenges but, most importantly, to acknowledge and benefit from the expert knowledge and input that they bring to education.
What does this mean? Teachers are instrumental in preparing future generations; they help teach important lessons and life skills that can make the world of difference down the track. However, there is severe lack of respect for the profession, which is extremely challenging in and of itself. Currently, low pay, burnout, inadequate classroom resources and insufficient support and recognition are all contributing to a concerning shortage of teachers globally.
It is critical that we acknowledge the expert knowledge and input that teachers’ bring to education, and see their role in helping us to create a better future for us all. Integrating their perspectives into educational policies and fostering a supportive environment for their professional development is key. We must better value, better train and better support teachers if we are to achieve the goal of providing primary and secondary education for all by 2030.
How can you help support teachers and celebrate this World Teachers’ Day?
A donation to our girls’ education appeal can also make a huge difference for thousands of girls and their families and communities. You can help girls go to school and learn, give local teachers training and support, improve classrooms, and build school playgrounds and toilets.
Alternatively, you can donate World Teachers’ Day-themed gifts from Gifts for Good range. World Teachers’ Day gifts include a school supplies set, or a bright future bundle can provide a child with everything they need to attend and participate in school.
You can also spread the word about World Teachers’ Day in Australia and worldwide on social media. Use #worldteachersday to raise awareness and encourage family and friends to participate too.
