Our History

The Alola Foundation was established in 2001 by Kirsty Sword Gusmão, the former First Lady of Timor-Leste. The initial focus of the Alola Foundation was to raise awareness and campaign against sexual and gender-based violence in Timor-Leste.

Due to Timor-Leste‘s lack of legal infrastructure back in 2001, the Alola Foundation was established as a company limited by guarantee, Alola Foundation Ltd, under Australian law. However, we’re proud to say that in 2008, the Alola Foundation became the first organization to register as an NGO in Timor-Leste and is known by its Tetum name, “Fundasaun Alola”.

At the same time in order to continue to promote the work in Australia, a new charitable organisation known as Alola Australia Ltd was formed. Alola Australia is managed by volunteers in Australia working in partnership with Fundasaun Alola.

Fundasaun Alola has grown to include a wider range of programs that assist the women and children of Timor-Leste. Programs such as advocacy, economic empowerment, education and literacy, and maternal and child health.

For years, Fundasaun Alola has worked proactively in direct partnership with individual citizens and local and international non-profit organisations, as well as the Timor-Leste Government to improve the lives of the women and children of Timor-Leste.

You can learn more about Fundasaun Alola by visiting their website at www.alolafoundation.org