Passing the Baton of Environmental Education through JICA Volunteers: Expanding the Learning Bond from the Capital to Rural Areas

Passing the Baton of Environmental Education through JICA Volunteers: Expanding the Learning Bond from the Capital to Rural Areas
— A Collaboration Between Community Development and Environmental Education Volunteer—
Yurika Yamauchi (2023/7th batch)

Since arriving in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, in August 2023, I have been working together with local communities to create new events and activities tailored to local culture—with the challenge of creating “Zero to One”, aiming to expand people’s life and career choices. (Examples include Tanabata Festiva l and Christmas Event )

Recently, I collaborated with a fellow JICA Volunteer who works in environmental education, combining the experiences and knowledge developed in our respective fields, we embarked on a new “Zero to One” challenge together.



In April 2025, I joined a study tour organized by Arisa Minoru (2023/3rd batch, Environmental Education), visiting a waste disposal site that handles garbage from the capital. In Dili, garbage from households is brought to public collection point or trash bins and transported by garbage trucks or containers to the disposal site.

The collection and transportation system is somewhat similar to the system in Japan, the difference lies in its waste separation process and management system. Timor-Leste enacted the “Environment Basic Law ” in 2012 and the “Decree Law on Urban Solid Waste Management System” in 2017. However, as of 2025, the waste separation practice and culture have not been widely adopted by the public. ※1 In reality, most waste is transported to the landfill without segregation and dumped using a method called “open dumping”. ※2

At the disposal site, we saw “waste pickers” who pick out recyclable or sellable materials from the garbage to make a living. Most of them live near the landfill, suffering from serious health issues such as respiratory infections and diarrhea. A report says that acute respiratory infections cases are more than ten times higher than the national average in Timor-Leste.※3

Dili’s garbage collection rate is about 63%, while Japan’s 99.2%. Over 100 tons of waste remain uncollected each day, ending up in the sea or clogging roadside drains. Littering is often seen in the town, and existing laws are not effectively enforced.

Given the reality and the data, even if Japan’s waste management system were introduced tomorrow, it wouldn’t immediately solve Timor-Leste’s garbage problem. I felt that shifting the public mindset towards waste management and raising awareness is crucial.
For more insight of this issue, I highly recommend the column by Mr. Ito, a former JICA Timor-Leste Chief Representative.

※1　 A final report of Dili Waste Information Collection and Verification Study for Marine Plastic Reduction in Timor-Leste.（JICA）
※2　A results of a survey of Dili Waste Information Collection and Verification Study for Marine Plastic Reduction in Timor-Leste.（JICA）
※3　 Timor-Leste's largest rubbish dump is causing a 'national' health problem（RNZ）

Having seen the waste problem and the lack of public awareness, I began thinking about how I could take action. As a JICA Volunteer, I wanted to approach this in a way that aligns with JICA Volunteer’s philosophy—working closely with local people at the grassroots level, and walking together—. I wanted to create an opportunity for people to learn and think about the issue. After consulting with Ms. Minoru, we decided to hold an educational workshop at the organization that runs the beauty salon where I work as a community development volunteer.

This organization runs not only a beauty salon, but also a restaurant, café, and hotel, along with training schools for each sector. These schools provide free learning opportunities for youth and to support women suffering from domestic violence and poverty in Timor-Leste, helping them to obtain independence. Most of the students are women, especially those facing economic challenges.

About 40 people, mostly aged 16–25, attended the workshop, including the hairdressers I work with and students from the beauty course and the entrepreneurship course.

During the session, Ms. Minoru spoke about Timor-Leste’s waste issues, introducing Japan’s history, including the four major pollution diseases as example. She also introduced an environmental education picture book, created in the local language, Tetum.

The storytelling part was organized by hairdressers and beauty course students. They practiced many times beforehand, and the audience was glued to their reading, which made me feel proud.

After that, participants were divided into small groups to discuss what they learned and how each person would take action. Since learning opportunities of environmental education barely exist in schools or homes in Timor-Leste, participants seemed surprised by the new information.

One of the most moving moments happened during the summary session of the workshop when one of the hairdressers took the microphone and shared this powerful message from her own initiative:

“To make our streets cleaner and reduce the waste in Timor. It depends on initiatives by each of us. Even if the trash on the ground isn’t yours, it doesn’t mean you can ignore it. We need to pick it up. That’s how we can keep our towns clean.”

These were her own words, her own thoughts. Neither I nor Ms. Minoru asked her to say anything. It was the moment I truly felt our message had reached their hearts.

JICA Volunteer’s assignment term is two years. Both Ms. Minoru and I will return to Japan once our terms are over and cannot remain in Timor. That’s why it’s crucial that the people who live here make this issue their own and lead the way forward.

Of course, it would be difficult that single workshop to change everyone’s mindset. But I’m confident that our local partners understand our vision and will continue to raise awareness of environmental issues in Timor-Leste—taking initiative and involving others with leadership and passion. I have no doubt about that.

A few weeks after the workshop, I received some wonderful photos from my partner organization. It occasionally visits rural communities to offer beauty services such as hair arrangement and nail care, and other activities including nutrition education. As part of the visit, the team held a picture book reading session using the book that Ms. Minoru created.

“Our capital city receives a lot of support, which we’re very grateful for, but once you go into the rural areas, it’s a completely different world. The roads are unpaved, and access to goods, information, and opportunities is very limited. That’s why it’s our job to bring these things to them,” the Director of the organization told me passionately.

To witness firsthand how support from overseas—including JICA—can spark a locally rooted movement tailored to local culture, and to be part of such a project, filled me with deep emotion.

By the time this article is published, I’ll likely have completed my assignment and returned to Japan. But having been able to witness this final moment, and having collaborated with a fellow volunteer to bring our journeys together, I can now proudly say: “I gave it my all in Timor-Leste.”

Even after returning to Japan, my connection to the people at my host organization will remain unchanged. I will continue doing everything I can to support them as they explore new possibilities and expand their life choices.