Women's empowerment

When a mother learns, a family grows

Evangelinha Mafalda da Silva, a single mother from Tiriloka, Baucau, gains new skills for a better future for her family through the virgin coconut oil training programme provided by the Agroforestry Skills for Employment and Resilience Project, implemented by the ILO and funded by the European Union (EU).

7 May 2025

Content also available in: tétum

BAUCAU, Timor-Leste (ILO News) - Evangelinha Mafalda da Silva, 32 years old from Tiriloka, Baucau, is a hardworking single mother who has always dreamed of providing a better life for her family. With limited financial resources, she faced many challenges in supporting the education and daily needs of her four children. When she heard about the Virgin Coconut Oil Training offered by CDC – Baucau in April 2025, she saw a chance to change her family’s future.

Balancing family responsibilities while learning new skills was not easy for Evangelinha. She had to wake up early to prepare food for her children before attending the training. However, her determination kept her going. She knew that gaining new skills could help her build a better future for her family. At first, Evangelinha doubted herself. She had never made virgin coconut oil before. But with patient guidance from the trainers and encouragement from her group, her confidence began to grow. She learned how to produce high-quality virgin coconut oil.

Evangelinha Mafalda da Silva (left) filters virgin coconut oil during a training session provided by CDC - Baucau. 4/2025

Now, Evangelinha has a new goal to start her own small business within a group. She hopes to produce and sell virgin coconut oil to create a steady income for her family. More than that, she wants to inspire other mothers to believe in themselves and take the opportunity to grow. “I am really thankful for the training,” she said, referring to the opportunity provided by CDC - Baucau through the Agroforestry Skills for Employment and Resilience Project implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and funded by the European Union (EU). “This has given me hope to build a better life for my children.”

Evangelinha’s story is one of strength and hope. Through the training and the support, she has gained both skills and confidence. Her journey shows that with determination and the right support, any mother can turn challenges into opportunities for her family.