17.06.2025 - Play-based learning making a big impact for preschools in Timor-Leste
Fundasaun ALOLA, also known as the Alola Foundation, is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation based in Timor-Leste. Established in 2001 by then First Lady Ms Kirsty Sword Gusmão, the foundation aims to improve the lives of women and children in the country by advocating for their economic development and maternal and child health.
From April 2023 through to November last year, VSA volunteer and skilled early childhood educator, Jude de Waal, worked with Fundasaun ALOLA to pilot a community-based preschool initiative led by UNICEF, the Government of Timor-Leste and the New Zealand Aid Programme.
Jude (centre) with teachers following annual training in Viqueque, Timor-Leste
With guidance from Jude, Fundasaun ALOLA staff have been supporting community preschools in the Emera and Viqueque districts of Timor-Leste to move beyond rote-based teaching through a combination of targeted teacher training and train-the-trainer workshops – embracing something far more impactful: PLAY!
Developing a love of learning as well as basic numeracy and literacy skills through play is setting these children up for the future and enabling them to progress through the school system.
At Fatubolu Preschool, the teaching team’s grasp of play-based, hands-on learning had improved so significantly through their involvement in the Fundasaun ALOLA programme that Jude initially didn’t even recognise them as the same team she had worked with just a year before.
“Teachers used active games for learning and had even made up some new ones.... Children now spent time in small groups to support their early numeracy and literacy and to ensure it was hands-on. Last year when I visited, three children, one at a time, were invited to come up the front with the teacher and have a turn whilst others watched on if interested. Not so this time, everyone was involved.”
Jude works with local teachers to use a play parachute as part of a lesson
The results speak for themselves! Preschool teachers report that children from their preschool are now successfully passing grade one when they go to school – a significant improvement and something that was far from guaranteed before!
In addition to supporting the professional development of individual volunteer preschool teachers, the Fundasaun ALOLA programme is also strengthening the skills and building capacity in their team of field officers. For example, field officer Maun Carlos applied the methods learned in training sessions led by Jude and went on to independently conduct similar training for groups of other preschools he visits.
Maun Carlos sharing his new knowledge with teachers from around his district in Emera
Similarly, mana Natalicia, the ECE project coordinator for Fundasaun ALOLA team, took over leading clusters of teacher training and, at their annual training, she led the lesson planning workshop as well as co-facilitated other workshops with Jude.
In addition to the clear improvements for the local children and the teachers, this project has also seen benefits for Fundasaun ALOLA in building mutually respectful relationships with the Ministry of Education national teacher trainers INFORDEPEE. INFORDEPEE staff have noticed that teachers from Fundasaun ALOLA-supported preschools are more engaged and responsive at the training sessions they run. This positive change reflects the ongoing support Fundasaun ALOLA and VSA volunteers like Jude are investing to upskill volunteer teachers throughout Emera and Viqueque districts.
Staff at VSA partner organisation, UNICEF Timor-Leste, really appreciated how Jude “proactively engaged with Fundasaun ALOLA to prepare the training and facilitate new training approaches.”
Mana Nuni Maria Nubre, the Programme Manager of Fundasaun ALOLA, observed that Jude’s “presence really helped my staff’s positive improvement. They actively communicate with Jude, as it supports their participation in the achievement of the project. Besides that, they work closely with the community alongside Jude, helping them to improve their leadership role and their strategic thinking and planning skills.”
Jude will be returning to Timor-Leste in late June this year to support Fundasaun ALOLA to complete the final year of the UNICEF-initiated preschool programme.
A local preschool in Timor-Leste