East Timor is one of the youngest countries in the world; and also one of the poorest (per capita GDP US$450).

In rural areas, 63% of people over the age of 15 cannot read or write.

There are at least 6,000 people in East Timor who need prostheses (artificial limbs) and orthoses (orthopaedic braces), including many people affected by leprosy.

Timor has one of the highest rates of leprosy infection in the world: 1.89 in every 10,000 people - and as high as 4.8 in 10,000 in some communities - compared to a regional average of .89 per 10,000.

As in most low income countries, disabled people are the poorest of the poor, excluded from all aspects of society. In East Timor, cultural beliefs also play a part; disability is seen as a curse and parents of disabled children often keep them hidden.

[Photo: © Susan Schulman]

Since ASSERT was established:

Approximately 270 disabled people have received rehabilitation services a TLSPR, including people affected by leprosy, accident and trauma, polio, stroke, developmental delay and cerebral palsy.

Three national staff have gone to study prosthetics and orthotics in Cambodia, at the Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics, run the the Cambodia Trust. The first graduate, Nelson da Silva (left), is due to return to Timor Leste in September 2006 after finishing his final exams.

Two national staff commenced a three-year program in physiotherapy in Solo, Indonesia in September 2006.

TLSPR's three rehabilitation workers and the client liaison worker are participating in a Rehabilitation Training Program, a two-year training program of classroom and fieldwork training.

Bench technicians and rehabilitation workers are receiving on the job mentoring from international Prosthetist-Orthotists and Physiotherapists.

[Photo: © Susan Schulman]