Odete transformed her life by becoming a volunteer facilitator. With newfound knowledge and a passion for helping others, she now leads parenting group sessions in her village. Odete equips parents with crucial skills to build positive, nurturing relationships with their children, driving meaningful change in her community.
Financial hardships forced Odete to drop out of school
Odete’s life was once defined by staying at home due to financial hardships that forced her to drop out of school. She often reflected, “I felt trapped, with no opportunities to improve my life.” As she observed her community, she noticed troubling practices in her village. Many parents lacked knowledge about nutritious food and effective child-rearing techniques. “I often saw parents resorting to violence,” she said, “which adversely affected children’s mental and physical health.”
Odete heard about Plan International Timor-Leste’s Positive Parenting Programme from a friend. She thought, “This could be my chance to make a difference.” She approached her friend and asked, “How can I join the programme?”
On January 21, 2023, Odete was selected to participate in a five-day Parenting Curriculum training. “I was eager to learn,” she recalled. The course provided training on child protection, domestic violence prevention, behavior management, special needs, Nutrition and the influence of media and technology on child development. “These lessons opened my eyes to see the importance of proper child care,” Odete said.
Odete used this knowledge to become a volunteer facilitator in her community, “I want to help others in my community learn what I have learned.” Odete’s journey reflects her determination to create a positive impact on the lives of children and families around her.
Odete’s role as a parenting group facilitator
As a volunteer facilitator, Odete now shares this knowledge with her community. She is responsible for educating members of the Parenting Group in her village , particularly young parents in rural areas, on essential topics related to child care, protection and nutrition . Her role has empowered her to deliver impactful presentations and foster a more knowledgeable and sensitive community.
“I am not just staying at home but actively contributing to my community’s wellbeing.”
Odete
“I’m proud of my decision to volunteer as a facilitator and empowering parents in my village has been a rewarding experience. I’ve learned that real change starts with knowledge and compassion. Now, I am not just staying at home but actively contributing to my community’s wellbeing,” told Odete.
The positive parenting approach
For parents in Timor-Leste, learning parenting, nutrition and hygiene education methods remains a challenge. Odete’s dedicated work as a facilitator has brought about many positive changes in her community. The Positive Parent Programme’s approach emphasises nurturing respectful and supportive relationships between parents and children and promotes proper nutrition for families.
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