Timor-Leste · Est. Foundation
Committed to education, agriculture, environmental protection, and social justice for the people of Timor-Leste — reducing poverty and empowering communities across the nation.
Explore Our Mission
Rogério Lobato · Founder
The Founder
The Rogério Lobato Foundation was established in honour of a man deeply committed to the people and future of Timor-Leste — a nation that endured 24 years of struggle for independence from foreign occupation.
Standing before the flag of Timor-Leste, Mr. Lobato embodies the spirit of resilience, dignity, and hope that drives the Foundation’s mission: to build a just, educated, and prosperous society for all Timorese people.
Through six pillars of action — education, agriculture, fishing, reforestation, social support, and reconciliation — the Foundation carries forward his vision of a Timor-Leste free from poverty and division.
Areas of Activity
The Foundation addresses the most pressing needs of Timorese society — from the classroom to the coastline, from the forest to the family.
Program One
More than half of Timor-Leste's population is under 30. The Foundation invests in the education of youth to accelerate socio-economic development and lift vulnerable communities out of poverty.
Program Two
Over 60% of Timorese rely on subsistence agriculture. The Foundation introduces advanced farming techniques to raise household incomes and reduce dependence on food imports.
Program Three
Timor-Leste's maritime space exceeds its land area, teeming with diverse marine species. The Foundation supports artisanal fishermen and promotes fish consumption to diversify the national diet.
Program Four
With a climate of two distinct seasons, Timor-Leste holds great potential for reforestation. The Foundation is committed to restoring forests damaged by fires and creating a clean, green nation.
Program Five
Thousands of widows and orphans survive as testament to Timor-Leste's 24-year struggle for independence. The Foundation provides psychological, material, and moral support for the elderly and vulnerable.
Program Six
All conflicts leave wounds. The Foundation believes reconciliation is an act of liberation — freeing people from hatred and revenge, and opening a new path for future generations built on peace and tolerance.
"Creating hope and bringing a smile to people who often suffer in silence from the pain of having nothing is one of the Foundation's noble missions."
Historical Context
The 24-year struggle for independence and liberation from foreign occupation left deep scars on the Timorese nation. The conflict claimed approximately 300,000 lives between 1975 and 1999 — out of a total population of less than one million.
Thousands of widows and orphans survived this dark chapter. Supporting these war victims through targeted social programs is a primary concern of the Rogério Lobato Foundation.
A Path Forward
All wars generate conflicts, and conflicts cause deaths. Deaths caused by conflict generate hatred and revenge. When conflicts cause deaths, there are no winners or losers — there are only victims on both sides.
Reconciliation is an act of liberation from hatred and revenge. The Rogério Lobato Foundation sincerely wishes to bring estranged brothers together, opening a new path for future generations.