DILI, 13 June 2025 (TATOLI) – The U.S. Embassy in Dili congratulated Ponilala Basic Education School (EBC Ponilala) for its achievements through the HATUTAN school feeding program, funded by the United States Government.
During a recent visit to the school in Ermera Municipality, Marc A. Weinstock, the outgoing Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Timor-Leste, expressed appreciation for the collective efforts of the school and community to enhance student nutrition as a means of improving learning outcomes.
In his remarks, Weinstock thanked CARE International, the Timor-Leste Ministry of Education, and Ponilala school officials, parents, teachers, and students for their collective commitment to improving educational outcomes by improving nutrition.
The HATUTAN program—which stands for Hamutuk Atu Fo Insentivu no Sustenta Aprendizajen—aims to strengthen the link between nutrition and education by supporting school meals, community engagement, and learning support.
In December 2025, the HATUTAN Education and Nutrition Program, in collaboration with national authorities and local communities, announced the official launch of its food delivery program, aimed at supporting the health and nutrition of schoolchildren in target municipalities.
The HATUTAN Program has distributed food supplies to 363 schools in the municipalities of Ainaro, Ermera, and Special Administrative Region of Oe-Cusse Ambeno, benefiting more than 70,359 students.
This milestone marks a significant step forward in HATUTAN’s ongoing efforts to improve access to nutrition for children in some of the most remote regions of Timor-Leste.
The food deliveries will continue throughout the school year to ensure consistent support for students. Through ongoing collaboration with local communities and authorities, HATUTAN aims to make a lasting impact on the health, education, and future opportunities of children across Timor-Leste.
The early delivery of food supplies is particularly important to ensure that school meals begin on the very first day of the new school year, as outlined in the Government Decree Law No. 61/2022.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
