Student Sponsorship
Updated: Aug 7
Education: Opening the Door to Successful Progress
In Timor Leste school attendance is free up to the end of Junior High School, Year 9. Only students whose parents can afford school fees, finish Senior High School education. Most students in Letefoho only attend up to year 9. In order to progress to tertiary education facilities such as university or technical colleges, Year 12 must be completed. Entry into university is very competitive so good results are required, as in most countries.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School, Letefoho, also charges school fees - $345 for Year 10, which includes education fees, registration and uniforms, then $245 for per year for Years 11 & 12. This is a significant cost for families who struggle to feed their children.
Since 2017, LETS coordinates a Student Sponsorship Programme, whereby individuals take support a child (or more!) for one year's Senior High School education. We request our generous sponsors to make an ongoing commitment to support a student until they finish high school, if possible. These students would not complete senior high school without this support. This programme later expanded into a tertiary sponsorship programme to further improve employment opportunities.
Impact of the Student Sponsorship Programme
To date, LETS has supported 1,028 high school students and 350 tertiary students!
We began in 2017 with 32 new Year 10 students were sponsored. By 2018, sponsorship expanded to 55 Year 10s and 31 Year 11s, and numbers have continued to grow each year. As graduates secure meaningful, well-paid employment or post tertiary education, they often help younger siblings with school fees, multiplying the impact across families.
Education is their key to an improved life, employment, giving back to their family and community and eventual self-sustainability. Without the support of donors through the LETS programme, these students would not have the opportunity to complete senior high school, nor further their education and qualifications through tertiary education.
LETS and the people of Letefoho extend their heartfelt thanks to all donors for their wonderful support!
July 2026 Update
Our Lady of Mt Carmel High School student sponsorship has taken off brilliantly, again this year. LETS supporters are sponsoring 50 Year 12 students, 45 Year 11 students and 41 new Year 10 students.
We also continue to sponsor 39 tertiary students, who study at one of the accredited tertiary education facilities of Timor Leste, including the National University of Timor Leste in Dili, the Dili Institute of Technology or a seminary. The university courses being studied include: Midwifery, Nursing, International Studies, English, General Law, Geology; Petroleum, Accounting, Nutrition, Information Engineering, Marine Biology, Tourism, Electrical Engineering, Animal Production, Maths Education, Human Resource Management.
How to get involved?
If you would like to know more about our Student Sponsorship Programme, please contact LETS through admin@lets.net.au or gcm.lough@gmail.com