Bella Galhos
Once a victim of human trafficking, child soldier, exile, and refugee – now a fearless female leader to create the sustainable and inclusive future of East Timor.
For her entire childhood, Bella had to endure the absolute unimaginable. Sold for a mere five dollars at the age of four to her country’s invaders, and later spent her adolescent years, from the age of sixteen, as a soldier in the resistance fighting for her country’s liberation.
Post East Timor’s independence in 2002, its people and land have been decimated by occupation and war. The decades of conflict led to the deprivation of their ability to love, nurture, or even hold ambitions for a brighter future. Though the country’s and her past was grim, Bella’s love and blazing will for her country know no bounds.
Drawn by her bottomless passion and energy, Earth Company chose to support Bella in her efforts. Thanks to our generous supporters, the Leublora Green School (LGS) opened its doors in May 2015 to ensure a brighter future for the children of East Timor, and in 2017 the Leublora Green Village (LGV) to promote eco-tourism, provide financial sustainability for the school, and empower marginalized women.
A Brighter Future for Timor-Leste
Healing Communities, Nurturing Nature, and Inspiring Futures
Decades of conflict in Timor-Leste have led to severe environmental devastation and strained social bonds, leaving little room for meaningful relationships. The loss of the ability to nurture has contributed to a range of social challenges, including poverty, malnutrition, violence, limited education, unemployment, and environmental degradation. In response, through Leublora Green Village (LGV), Bella aims to empower children by connecting them with nature, teaching them the values of care and nurture. This initiative is particularly critical given Timor-Leste's recent independence and the potential for positive impact through innovative approaches to education and development.
LGV is located in the highland sub-district of Maubisse, three hours from the capital city, Dili. Maubisse lacks public amenities like hotels and restaurants, with most of its population engaged in agriculture and leading self-sufficient lives. Nestled amidst the stunning mountainous landscape is a plateau resembling the Swiss Alps, making it an ideal spot for establishing a school dedicated to environmental education, organic agriculture, and sustainable development, surrounded by the beauty of nature.
Resilience Through Sustainability Education
LGV's cornerstone project is the Leublora Green School, the country's pioneering institution dedicated to sustainability and ecology education. While still working towards accreditation, it currently offers Green Programs for local children on weekends and hosts Green Camps during school holidays for primary school students from across Timor-Leste. The school features an organic farm, botanical garden, campsite, playground, and classroom, providing students with hands-on, sensory-rich environmental learning experiences. Additionally, LGS focuses on:
- Enhancing the community's quality of life by promoting permaculture farming methods,
- Improving nutrition through organic food from the farm, and
- Offering free environmental education to address the country's educational challenges, ultimately equipping children with essential life skills.
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