UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring Report shows that children taught in their mother tongue are more likely to develop literacy skills. Yet, over 40% of people worldwide lack access to education in a language they understand.

In response, our community with Many Hands International (MHI) produced over 20 children’s books in Timor-Leste’s mother tongue languages over the past decade, with a number of them available online.

Partners and donors included Friends of Losplos, Alola Foundation, the Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and philanthropists Kim Dunphy and John Toumbourou.

The following books are freely and publicly available and intended to promote literacy in Lospalos and Lautem by providing locally relevant mother tongue books. The development of each story was led by Holly Schauble, Founder of Many Hands International, with local students creating illustrations for each book, guided by local artist Cesario Laurdes.