Dr Kirsty Sword Gusmão has been a long-time advocate for women, children, education, and dignity in Timor-Leste, giving her a front-row seat to the evolution of one of Australia’s closest neighbours. As Kirsty’s own children grew alongside Timor-Leste as a nation post-independence, she witnessed the unthinkable violence and trauma experienced by Timorese women. Kirsty resolved to travel the country asking women directly what their priorities were, listening and learning.
In the first episode of Season 15, Philanthropod host Anubha Rawat sits down with Dr Kirsty Sword Gusmão, founder and Chair of Alola Foundation, founder of the Xanana Gusmão Reading Room, and former first lady of Timor-Leste. Together, Anubha and Kirsty take stock of the last quarter century of development for Timor-Leste and explore the vital role of strong women in creating a strong nation.
From the opening of a reading room in Dili, the Alola Foundation was born. What began with a focus on economic empowerment – training women in business skills to make a living – soon grew to include a maternal health program, and children’s and girls’ education programs. Alola’s work sits firmly within the longer arc of rebuilding a country, not only through physical infrastructure, but by nurturing women’s confidence, children’s education, maternal health, livelihoods, leadership and dignity.
Because when women are safe, educated, healthy, economically secure, and able to lead, the whole nation is stronger.
Take a deeper dive into their impact via Alola’s Annual Report: https://www.alolafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Alola-AR2025-Eng-Distwebvers.pdf
Visit the Alola Foundation website here: https://www.alolafoundation.org/
If you are interested in joining the upcoming AIDN Insight Tour to Timor-Leste, find out more information and register your interest here: https://aidnetwork.org.au/insight-tour-timor-leste-2026/