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By Lisa Hill"I feel good after this talk. I’m happy because our mothers didn’t have the kind of nutrition information that we do now. They just cooked what was available around them. I want all mothers to be aware of the diversity of food needed, especially mothers in the very remote areas."For Sabina Sico, nutrition is not just a topic of discussion in the hard-to-access hills of Oe-Cusse.  Pregnant with her first child and walking an hour each day to her job as a teacher, she knows the daily realities families face in rural Timor-Leste. In a country where 45 per cent of children under five are stunted, one of the highest rates in the world, access to nutritious and diverse foods remains a challenge for many households.     Sabina is a first-time mother and very conscious of her food choices, knowing every bite will affect her unborn child's health. ©UNICEF Timor-Leste/2026/LHillPoor nutrition in the earliest years of life can last a lifetime, affecting children's growth, learning, and future opportunities. Reflecting on her own experience, Sabina explained, “I have a garden, but it’s the dry season now, and nothing is growing. I also have a water tap close to my house. The water generally comes a few times a week, unless there is a drought, but this is not enough. When I go to the weekly market, I buy tofu and a green vegetable if they have it. If no food is available, we eat rice.”Sabina was one of several mothers who participated in focus group discussions in Usi Taco village, as part of the Timor-Leste Food Systems Initiative. Supported by the SDG Fund, the joint programme brings together the Government of Timor-Leste, the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), FAO and UNICEF to strengthen food systems and improve nutrition outcomes. While FAO supports agricultural activities such as farmer training, seed distribution, and stronger agricultural resource centres, UNICEF contributes expertise in nutrition, social and behaviour change, and community engagement.These discussions support UNICEF’s work to develop a social and behaviour change campaign to improve infant and young child feeding practices, increase dietary diversity among pregnant and lactating women, and address misconceptions about nutrition. The programme is currently in its discovery phase, using household interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and community-based research to better understand the choices families make, the barriers they face, and the support they need. The insights gathered will help shape a campaign rooted in the realities of families and communities. Traditional leader, Sebastião, discusses how local beliefs shape eating practices, especially around childbirth. ©UNICEF Timor-Leste/2026/LHillFor traditional leader Sebastião Sico, the discussions highlighted the value of listening directly to rural families. “I’m proud to take part in this discussion because food and nutrition are important for women and children. I would like the government and all stakeholders to visit the village to understand the specific situation and help improve food availability. This will also help them in preparing for a response during an emergency.” As El Niño is expected to cause severe droughts in the country, malnutrition is a key indicator of caution. The conversations also explored how beliefs and traditions shape nutrition practices. During interviews, families discussed cultural customs linked to pregnancy, childbirth and food preparation that have been passed down through generations. While many traditions remain important parts of community identity, some practices may no longer align with current nutrition recommendations. Participants reflected on how greater awareness and dialogue can help communities balance cultural values with new knowledge that supports the health of mothers and children. Nurse João guides pregnant women, family members, and new mothers on food diversity and breastfeeding to support their health and their children’s. ©UNICEF Timor-Leste/2026/LHillAt the nearby Usi Taco Health Post, nurse João Babo sees the consequences of poor nutrition firsthand. The small facility serves more than 3,200 people and treats malnourished children. “The market is once a week. The fresh items are gone before the week is over, and people might eat only rice.” His observations mirror what many mothers described during the discussions, highlighting how food availability, time, and economic pressures shape feeding children in rural communities. Radio stations play an important role in sharing messages with the community about nutrition, food systems and policies. ©UNICEF Timor-Leste/2026/LHillResearchers are also conducting work in the main town. For José Feno of Costa Radio Station, consistency is key. “We recently had a radio campaign on hygiene promotion, and when I talk to my community, they tell me they have heard and remember the messages. I believe that continuous messaging around an important behaviour is effective. We can discuss nutrition and food diversity for everyone to understand more about it.”As Timor-Leste works to transform its food systems, families like Sabina’s and Sebastião’s are helping guide the way forward. Findings from the discovery phase will inform the next stages of the social and behaviour change campaign, including co-creation with communities, piloting approaches, and ongoing monitoring and learning (M&L). By listening to families and co-creating solutions, the initiative aims to support healthier diets, stronger nutrition practices, and a better future for children across Timor-Leste.