Involvement Volunteers International WHY we need you in Timor-Leste
- Timor-Leste has one of the highest poverty rates in Southeast Asia, with around 41% of the population living below the national poverty line.
- Around 25% of primary school-aged children are not enrolled in school, with girls being particularly affected by barriers to education.
- Timor-Leste has relatively low literacy rates compared to other countries in the region. According to UNESCO, the adult literacy rate in Timor-Leste is approximately 58%.
- Timor-Leste's education sector suffers from chronic underinvestment, with limited resources allocated to infrastructure development, teacher training, and curriculum improvement.
- Timor-Leste struggles with high unemployment rates, particularly among youth. The unemployment rate hovers around 11.8%, with youth unemployment even higher at approximately 21.7%.
HOW can you help?
- Help in any capacity you can, specialist skills very welcome!
- Teach English at the local school
- As well as the children, help the local teachers with their English
- This is a challenging location so having an open mind is a must!
Why Involvement Volunteers International?
- Non Profit Org & Charity with 35+ Years Experience
- Meaningful & Impactful programs in Timor-Leste
- Social Experiences - Sharing with International Volunteers
- Excellent Safety Record, In-Country 24/7 Support & Emergency Assistance
- 1 Application Fee - Multiple Countries
PROJECT NAME: ENGLISH TEACHER
LOCATION: AUBEON
START DATES: JUNE 2025
ACCOMMODATION: BASIC HOUSE
MIN DURATION: 6 MONTHS (or 2 people doing 3 months each)
MIN AGE: 18+
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Criminal background check required, A background in teaching considered favourably
Overview
In Timor Leste we work with a small charity which in 2019, opened a kindergarten in the remote village of Aubeon. The school provides the children with two meals to supplement a very poor diet at home.
During our visit in 2019, we were lucky enough to have a team of five skilled individuals, three of whom had experience in building, plumbing, and maintenance. Thanks to their expertise, we were able to renovate and establish an Early Learning Centre for the children while teaching some basic skills to the locals who were eager to learn.
In June 2025, we are looking for a volunteer English teacher to teach at the local school, for a six-month stay in Aubeon, Timor Leste. Free accommodation and cooking facilities are available and the community may provide a meal in the evening. Transport from the airport to Aubeon and back will also be provided. The accommodation caters for two persons sharing one bedroom so if a couple is interested there is a possibility to accommodate them.
Teaching times will start at 11 am and finish at 4.30 pm with a 1-hour break for lunch (these will be negotiated to suit the children and the teacher.)
Classes will be in 30-minute slots for children in Kindergarten to Year 6 (all children have no English at all).
Requirements
Ideally, we would like one teacher for a 6-month period. We may be able to negotiate two positions if there are a couple of people who cannot do the full 6 months, one for 3 months and the other for the other 3 months or the two working for 6 months for fewer hours. The accommodation can accommodatie 2 people so there may be room for a couple to take part in this program. Just ask if any questions. The school is a 5-7 minute walk from the accommodation.
Things to Note
Aubeon is a remote village in Timor Leste (3-4 hours from the capital Dili) and apart from Dili there are no ‘supermarkets’. Most of these places have regular ‘markets’ where you can buy fruit and vegetables and other small items. They also have small shops that stock rice, oil, milk, coffee, sugar, snacks, spices, beer, cold drinks etc. A member from the local team can guide you on the area and, our project officer would facilitate any visits to the shops.
Some of the locals have motorbikes and for a small charge could arrange to take you places.
Location
Aubeon is located in a very remote area, and most major charities are situated in the capital city of Dili, which means that these regions do not receive the same benefits as urban areas. Despite the community’s enthusiasm to learn, they do not have access to regular volunteers who can provide basic training in skills. It takes 4+ hours to reach the village over rugged terrain.
Project Tasks
Skills welcomed on this project include:
- Teaching experience
- Adaptability/ Flexibility
- Willing to go with the flow and be up for the challenge!
Food & Accommodation
The accommodation is in a basic house in the village and about a 5-7 minute walk from the school. Free accommodation and cooking facilities are available and the community may provide a meal in the evening. The accommodation caters for two persons sharing one bedroom so if a couple is interested there is a possibility to accommodate them.
Some items are available from small shops they are limited and expensive. The currency is USD.
Aubeon is a remote village in Timor Leste (3-4 hours from the capital Dili) and apart from Dili there are no ‘supermarkets’. Most of these places have regular ‘markets’ where you can buy fruit and vegetables and other small items. They also have small shops that stock rice, oil, milk, coffee, sugar, snacks, spices, beer, cold drinks etc. A member from the local team can guide you on the area and, our project officer would facilitate any visits to the shops.
Some of the locals have motorbikes and for a small charge could arrange to take you places.
Standard
Projects
- English Teacher, Aubeon
-
$299 (application fee)
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Airport Transfers
-
Orientation
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24/7 In-Country Support
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Project Materials & Equipment
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Pre-departure Expert Advice
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Preperation Tools & Checklists
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Certificate of Completion
- Application fee is one off per person (unlimited placements)
- Click Here to convert the below prices to your local currency
- Discounts may apply if travelling in a pair or group!
- All credit card /international fees included in below pricing! 🙂
FAQ
If you have a real desire to help, compassion and don’t mind living quite basic then come and join us in Timor Leste! We are looking for volunteers who have a passion for helping others and don’t mind getting stuck in 🙂
Keep in mind this is a remote area and the lack of shops and other conveniences may be challenging.
- Accommodation
- The occasional meal may be provided by the community
- Orientation/ guidence on arrival
- Pickup and drop off from airport in Dili
- Fundraising support
- University course credits (where applicable)
- Certificate of Completion
- Airfares
- Travel Insurance
- Tours, Souvenirs & spending money
- Local Transportation (it is walking distance to the school)
- Meals
We travel together from Darwin to Dili as a Team. On arrival in Dili, we spend a night and two days at the most in Dili where we pick up the vehicle and any items volunteers would want to take e.g. food, water, snacks, and drinks.
The first day is a meet and greet day. Locals are very warm and will most likely have a little welcome ceremony which would involve a performance by the kids and presentation of a locally made scarf.
We also provide information to our volunteers on the do’s and don’ts to stay safe and enjoy the experience.
Transport from Dili airport to Aubeon and back will be provided.
On arrival in Dili, you may want to pick up items you may need e.g. food, water, snacks, and drinks.
It is a 4-hour + drive from Dili to Aubeon on rugged terrain and taxis are unlikely travel into remote areas.
Teaching times will start at 11 am and finish at 4.30 pm with a 1-hour break for lunch (these will be negotiated to suit the children and the teacher.)
Classes will be in 30-minute slots for children in Kindergarten to Year 6 (all children have no English at all).
Weekends are generally free and the local team try to take volunteers around to experience the place, e.g fishing, beaches, cooking with the locals etc.
Here are some more general things to do in Timor-Leste:
Explore Dili: Start your journey by exploring the capital city of Dili, where you can visit historical sites such as the Resistance Museum, which documents Timor-Leste’s struggle for independence.
Beach Activities: Enjoy the stunning beaches along the coast, such as Christo Rei Beach and Areia Branca Beach, where you can swim, snorkel, or simply relax on the pristine sands.
Hiking and Trekking: Timor-Leste’s rugged terrain offers excellent opportunities for hiking and trekking. Explore the lush mountains and forests, including trekking to the summit of Mount Ramelau, the highest peak in Timor-Leste.
Diving and Snorkelling: Discover the underwater wonders of Timor-Leste by diving or snorkelling in sites like Atauro Island or Jaco Island, renowned for their pristine coral reefs and diverse marine life.
Cultural Experiences: Immerse yourself in Timor-Leste’s rich cultural heritage by visiting traditional villages, attending local festivals, and experiencing traditional music and dance performances.
Visit Baucau: Explore the charming town of Baucau, known for its colonial architecture, vibrant markets, and nearby natural attractions such as Lake Iralalaro and the Lautem District beaches.
Wildlife Watching: Discover Timor-Leste’s unique flora and fauna by visiting national parks and reserves like Nino Konis Santana National Park, home to diverse ecosystems and endangered species.
Coffee Plantation Tours: Timor-Leste is known for its coffee production. Take a tour of a coffee plantation to learn about the cultivation and production process, and sample some of the finest Timorese coffee.
Waterfall Visits: Explore the country’s scenic waterfalls, such as the stunning Tarabuco Waterfall near Tutuala, where you can swim in refreshing natural pools surrounded by lush jungle.
Adventure Sports: For thrill-seekers, activities like mountain biking, kayaking, and rock climbing are available, offering an adrenaline-packed way to experience Timor-Leste’s natural beauty.
Accommodation and some meals are provided free of charge by the community who then receive a small ‘tip’ for the kind gesture.
We also need a Working With Children check (or criminal background check), a copy of your passport and a brief CV/resume.
Timor-Leste, also known as East Timor, is a small Southeast Asian nation located on the eastern half of the island of Timor. It gained independence from Indonesia in 2002, becoming one of the world’s youngest nations. Timor-Leste is known for its rugged mountainous terrain, stunning beaches, and diverse cultural heritage influenced by Portuguese colonization and indigenous traditions. Tetum and Portuguese are the official languages, reflecting the country’s colonial history, while Indonesian and English are also widely spoken.
Despite rich natural resources, including oil and gas reserves, Timor-Leste faces significant development challenges such as high poverty rates, limited access to education and healthcare, and infrastructural constraints. The country is striving to overcome its past conflicts and build a stable, democratic society with the support of the international community. Timor-Leste’s people are known for their resilience, strong sense of community, and commitment to nation-building, making it a compelling destination for those interested in volunteering and cultural exchange.
Timor-Leste has a tropical climate characterised by distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season typically lasts from November to April, bringing heavy rainfall and occasional cyclones, especially in coastal areas. During this time, temperatures are generally high, ranging from 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F). The dry season, from May to October, experiences less rainfall and cooler temperatures, with averages ranging between 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F).
Timor-Leste’s climate varies across regions due to its mountainous terrain, with the northern coast generally experiencing hotter and more humid conditions compared to the cooler mountainous regions in the south. The country’s climate supports diverse ecosystems, including rainforests, savannas, and coastal mangroves, contributing to its rich biodiversity.
Timor-Leste boasts a vibrant and diverse cultural tapestry shaped by centuries of history, traditions, and influences from various ethnic groups. The country’s culture is a blend of indigenous customs, Portuguese colonial heritage, and neighboring Southeast Asian influences. Traditional Timorese culture is deeply rooted in communal values, with strong emphasis placed on family, community, and spirituality. Ceremonial rituals, such as traditional dance and music performances, are integral to Timorese culture and often accompany important social events and religious ceremonies.
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