DILI, Timor-Leste — The EdTech for Early Learning (ETEL) project reached an end-of-phase milestone this month, with a growing library of playful Tetun-language learning activities delivered across classroom and home-learning formats, reviewed with the project’s community development partner, Mary Mackillop Today and Ministry of Education stakeholders.

The team also collaborated with a Tokodede translator, extending the program into a second Timorese language. Trans-language design is not an afterthought; it is the starting point, because young children first learn best in the language of their home. World Mosaic’s research and discussions with Timor-Leste goodwill ambassador and former First Lady, Kirsty Sword Gusmão, who has long advocated the importance of early languages in early learning across Timor-Leste.