Youth Employment

In East Timor employment opportunities are few and far between. So when Joel Paulini, who is in his early 20s, heard about a labourintensive works program, he registered immediately. Within a week, more than 20 of his friends had also signed up. The main job is fi xing and clearing canals and road-side drains before the wet season begins. It’s necessary to get this done to prevent fl ooding and to reduce breeding sites for mosquitoes, which can carry malaria and dengue fever. The pay is not great but it’s excellent work experience and much better than hanging around all day. This initiative is very good for us young people to earn some money, even if it is little,’ says Joel, adding that many who used to be involved in gang fighting are now changing their habits.

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