Country Welcome for Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste is a young and dynamic nation with a strong cultural identity, breathtaking landscapes, and a deep commitment to community. After restoring independence in 2002, the country began the work of building national institutions and expanding opportunities for its people. In October 2025, Timor-Leste joined ASEAN, an important milestone that strengthens its regional ties and opens new opportunities in education, trade, and workforce mobility across Southeast Asia.

Since opening in 2002, Peace Corps has partnered with Timorese communities, local leaders, and government institutions to support national priorities in education and economic development.

Peace Corps Timor-Leste currently implements two primary projects: English Education and Community Economic Development.

Education Volunteers co-teach English in public middle and secondary schools, working alongside Timorese teachers to strengthen instruction, increase student engagement, and support teacher development. Although Portuguese is an official language and is intended to serve as the primary language of instruction, many teachers outside the capital do not speak Portuguese fluently and instead teach in Tetum.

Education Volunteers currently work with the Ministry of Education to pilot a new English curriculum designed specifically for Timor-Leste. This effort moves away from Portuguese-based English textbooks and focuses on practical communication skills that better reflect how students will use English in higher education and the workforce. As Timor-Leste deepens its engagement with ASEAN and international partners, English proficiency is becoming increasingly important. More countries are offering scholarships to Timorese students, and stronger English skills help open those academic opportunities.

Community Economic Development Volunteers partner with youth centers, women’s groups, small business owners, and vocational training institutes to promote entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and workforce readiness. English and job skills development are central to this work. Across the country there is strong demand to learn English, particularly among young people seeking employment opportunities abroad.

Many Timorese pursue seasonal or longer-term work in agriculture and food processing in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and even Korea, and Japan. Income earned overseas often supports extended families at home. CED Volunteers help young Timorese strengthen practical job application skills, English ability, and professional preparation so they can compete successfully for these opportunities.

At the request of President José Ramos-Horta, Peace Corps Timor-Leste also promotes improved nutrition and healthy eating habits as a secondary goal across both projects. Malnutrition and childhood stunting remain national concerns, particularly in rural areas. Volunteers often support community conversations about nutrition, encourage kitchen and school gardens, and work with schools or community groups to promote healthier diets using locally available foods.

Many Volunteers also pursue small grants to support community-driven initiatives. These projects often grow directly out of relationships built during service and reflect priorities identified by community members. Past projects have included poultry production initiatives, the construction of a coffee shop, the promotion of fuel-efficient cookstoves, school libraries, teacher training workshops, and other practical efforts that strengthen local livelihoods and skills.

Volunteers live with host families in rural communities, from coastal fishing villages to mountainous inland towns. Living with a host family is often one of the most meaningful parts of service. Volunteers are welcomed into family life, share daily routines and meals, take part in cultural activities and rituals, and develop relationships that often last long after service ends. Volunteers say living with their host family is the best part of their PCV experience.

Life in Timor-Leste is shaped by tradition, faith, and strong community ties. Sacred houses, cultural ceremonies, and traditional beliefs remain an important part of daily life alongside widespread Catholic practices. Volunteers are welcomed into this cultural fabric and gain firsthand experience with both long-standing traditions and a country working toward its future.

The country’s rugged mountains, tropical forests, rice fields, and pristine beaches provide a remarkable setting for service. While Volunteers encounter challenges such as rural living, language barriers, and limited resources, they also discover extraordinary opportunities for growth, partnership, and impact.

For many Volunteers, Timor-Leste offers what they hoped for when they first applied to the Peace Corps: the chance to live and work closely with a community, build trust over time, and see how their efforts contribute to real progress in people’s lives.

If you are seeking meaningful work, strong community connections, and the chance to contribute to a nation full of promise, we invite you to consider Peace Corps Timor-Leste.

I look forward to welcoming you.

Jamie Fouss

Country Director

Peace Corps Timor-Leste