Leublora Green Village (LGV) and Green School (LGS)
Timor-Leste is the poorest country in Asia with an average GDP per capita of $1,900 and with half of the population living in extreme poverty. As the country is heavily dependent on oil—that is predicted to run out in 30 years—it is crucial to find a more sustainable economic model. Education holds the key to this.
Half of Timor-Leste’s population is under 15 years of age and the current education system cannot meet their needs. These children are all too familiar with violence and haven’t been given the chance to understand what it means to nurture and love.
The Leublora Green Village was founded to raise Timor-Leste’s leaders of tomorrow and serve as a model of sustainable development. Their flagship program (LGS) gives children the chance to engage with nature, teaching them how to care and nurture, and setting them on a journey towards a brighter future. Right now the country needs to invest in its people, providing the next generation of leaders with the intellect and emotional intelligence that they’ll need to lead the country into a better, sustainable future.
At a Glance
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
Sustainability-focused Education
Since opening, Leublora Green School (LGS) has made huge progress. Within the first two years of opening LGS has provided learning opportunities to approximately 700 students, and initiated exchange programs with other schools. To date, Bella's Green School has hosted more than 1,300 students in after-school programs, camp and weekend programs.
Model for Sustainable Development
The Leublora Green Village (LGV) has come a long way since the it was first built in 2017, and the story does not end here! LGV has 6 key features: the green school, green villas, organic farm, organic restaurant, women's agriculture cooperative, and a community training center. The goal is for these six features to promote circular activities while sustaining the green school's operations financially speaking. LGV is the very first example of sustainable development in Timor-Leste. Once it has successfully become a financially sustainable social business, the government has expressed the desire for it to be replicated and serve as a model for sustainable development across the country in all 13 municipalities.
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