Area: 1,792 sq. km
Population: 59,787
Communities: 43
Sponsored children: 0  

Lautem is the easternmost district of Timor-Leste, renowned for its pristine nature and rugged landscape. Plan’s programmes in Lautem are grant funded, which means that none of the communities that Plan works with are supported by child sponsorship.

Plan’s youth livelihoods project commenced here in 2006 as a response to the influx of internally displaced people after the political crisis in the same year. It has since been joined by Plan’s other programmes that target Lautem, Los Palos, Iliomar and Tutuala sub districts. Landslides, particularly after heavy rains, affect road conditions, and are one of the more ever-present risks  here. 

Programme highlights

Water, sanitation and hygiene

The water, sanitation and hygiene programme started in Lautem in 2007 and has so far reached 2,352 households, or 4,077 people in 7 communities. At present, the promotion of the use of latrines is still being piloted in the 4 sub-districts that Plan works in.

Education

Since 2010 Plan has worked with 2 local partners to promote and support young children’s learning. 10 communities have built child-friendly spaces that benefit between 35 and 50 children each, and the communities have set up playgroup management committees to ensure sustainability. 

Youth empowerment 

As well as supporting young people in vocational training to help them generate an income, Plan encourages them to become actively involved in the community. Volunteerism presents youths with opportunities to help their communities while developing their own skills within Plan’s other programmes. 

Music and sports are integral to the inclusion of youth in society. In Lautem, Plan has built 15 basketball and volleyball courts. “The volleyball courts that Plan supported meant that us youths could come together to play and strengthen relations and unity between each other,” said one participantduring a community consultation held by Plan. 

Watch this video about Plan's work supporting youths with livelihood training in Timor-Leste.