Garden of Hope Ministries – Gleno/Timor Leste

Gleno is a town in the mountains southwest of Timor Leste’s capital Dili. Here the small congregation of the local evangelical church reaches out to their community through the “Garden of Hope” School (kindergarten – yr. 6) . The school was founded in 2007 out of the deep desire to bring “a hope and a future” to a new generation of Timorese.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

The school has 12 staff members (most are paid, some are volunteers), giving opportunity for on-the-job training and professional development. It also provides children with a loving, peaceful and stimulating environment where they can blossom and grow. At “Garden of Hope” the students learn about God’s love for them and can develop a solid foundation for the future.

The church also provides a home for people that need assistance, like widows, children whose parents are unable to care for them, and children and youth who come from remote areas where there is no opportunity to go to school.

These days the Timor Leste Government helps by paying the salary of the five kindergarten/pre-primary staff and with a small amount to help with the purchase of consumables, but a major contribution for these ministries comes from our Australian-based sponsorship program and occasional donation by partner organisations, as the local church has very limited financial resources.

Here is more about our detailed history.