242 Timorese Schools Now Grow Permaculture Gardens for 41,000 Students and Their Families

Permatil, the Timorese permaculture NGO founded in the early 2000s, helped bring permaculture into the national school curriculum and now supports school garden programs in 242 schools. Over 41,000 students, plus their families, are listed as direct beneficiaries on the organisation's own school gardens page. Children plant, tend and harvest vegetables at school and are encouraged to replicate the model in home gardens to improve family nutrition. In May 2026 Timor-Leste's President met Permatil's executive director to coordinate its climate and environment agenda, showing the organisation is still active.