What is Life, Love and Health?
Life, Love and Health (LLH) is a volunteer based, Australian Registered charity committed to community development in Timor-Leste. Our grassroots projects assist the Timorese people to address their fundamental needs and aspirations as they move forward through difficult challenges to their independent future.

Our Vision
To be a dynamic volunteer community development organisation for Timor-Leste that builds Timorese capacity and improves livelihoods and connections between our two countries.

Our Mission
To provide grassroots community development opportunities with our Timorese partners in order to improve the lives of this and future generations of Timorese.

Our Values

• We act with Integrity and Compassion.
• We promote Timorese Leadership and Capacity.
• We encourage engagement and partnership between communities and groups.
• We acknowledge the cultural identity of the Timorese people and our shared history.
• We value our volunteer commitment.
• We work towards a positive and secure future for our communities.

Background
Life, Love and Health was founded in 2002. The initial aims of LL&H were both modest and ambitious - to make a difference in the newest country in the world, and the poorest in Asia, as it struggled to rebuild after the destruction of 1999. LL&H aimed to do this by building the indigenous capacity for development through supporting the work of national Non-Government Organisations (NGOs).

Life, Love & Health contributed to the work of the Alola Foundation. Maternal health, including infant and maternal mortality, were and continue to be some of the most significant health issues in Timor-Leste. In addition, the convergence of a broad range of social and economic factors make the lives of women incredibly difficult in Timor-Leste. The Alola Foundation, championed by founder and Former First Lady Kirsty Sword Gusmao, works in many ways to support women and children in attaining better health and better lives.

Through the early years of 2003/04, LL&H also sought to increase awareness of the difficulties still faced by the Timorese people through projects that both sought to strengthen links between our two countries while also raising funds. We focussed on supporting orphanages, traditional handicrafts projects and the maternal health work of the Alola Foundation.

Through the conduct of grassroots projects in Timor-Leste, LL&H has strengthened our ties with other Timorese NGOs that work hard to develop their country and strengthen civil society. They not only provide services and support for communities but also provide employment, particularly for youth, which is such an issue in Timor-Leste today.

Humanitarian Assistance
During April-July 2006, Timor-Leste and particularly the capital city of Dili was in crisis. The increases in ethnic tensions eventually led to widespread civil disorder. Eventually, there was a relative stabilisation created by the arrival of an Australian led International Stabilisation Force.

During this difficult period over 150,000 Timorese were internally displaced into camps or churches or returned to the Districts where it remained relatively safe. These movements of people and the general security situation led to widespread food shortages and LL&H moved from a community development posture to an emergency humanitarian aid response.

There was an urgent need to provide assistance to the men, women and children who had fled their homes in fear and while most of the international aid agency staff were evacuated, our on the ground team stayed to help.

LL&H worked with the Timorese Government and partners such as the International Organisation for Migration and the UN World Food Program to distribute food, water, medicines and basic essentials to the displaced and dispossessed.

John and Luke Gosling

Current Focus
In 1999, the World Bank estimated that 95 per cent of school buildings, school furniture and materials had been lost through the ongoing violence that marked the long era of Indonesian occupation. There is a 50 per cent level of illiteracy amongst the broader population so it is critical that the next generation is given a good education in adequate facilities.

In 2006, the UNDP estimated that 60 per cent of Timorese people do not have access to adequate sanitation which is a serious health problem. Poverty and inadequate education and health are all interlinked. Since 2002, our emerging strategy has focussed on our ability to contribute in these areas.

Life, Love and Health now partners with several NGOs in a wide range of programs including:

• Water and Sanitation
• School Construction
• Maternal Health Care
• Support of Handicraft Groups
• Youth Agricultural Training
• Facilitation and Liaison for other NGOs in Timor-Leste

LL&H Partnerships
LL&H is partnered with Australian Foundation for Asia and the Pacific, AFAP.

Currently, LL&H’s main Timorese NGO partners are:

• Alola Foundation
• Hamoris Timor Oan (HTO)
• Loron Aban Hahu Ohin (LAHO)