Lolotoe

Lolotoe is the centre of a larger group of villages and hamlets. The population of the Lolotoe sub-district is about 7000 and is scattered amongst seven large villages, 25 smaller ones and many hamlets within these smaller villages. The people of Lolotoe speak Bunak, a language spoken in the central and south western area of East Timor.

There are over a dozen primary schools in the Lolotoe region. Class sizes vary but are usually over 50 per class. Some are as high as 70 or 80 children per class with only one teacher. There has been some support over the years, however many of the schools are in desperate need of resources.

One small clinic services the health needs of the area. There is no doctor and a midwife visits once a week on motorbike. There is no electricity in the clinics and only the most basic of resources. The nurses do an impressive job in these difficult circumstances. There is no electricity or running water in Lolotoe. There is no mass media, no telephones or mailboxes, limiting communication with those outside the region.

Fohorem

Fohorem is even more remote than Lolotoe however it has more infrastructure

Most people are subsistence farmers and their main concern is feeding their families. Children spend much time carrying water or collecting firewood. As many men were killed in the devastation of 1999, there are many households without a husband or father. Whilst people are still recovering from tragic past events, they are optimistic about their future.