Maubisse is located in the central highlands of Timor Leste in the Ainaro District, approximately 70 kilometres south of the capital Dili and 1,400 metres above sea level.

Maubisse subdistrict has a population in excess of 20,000 people and is the main coffee growing region of the country.

Aside from coffee, Maubisse’s moderate climate produces green beans, mandarins, avocados, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, garlic and shallots.

Like most parts of Timor Leste, the Maubisse community experiences many challenges. The fledgling economy faces barriers such as lack of employment, government structures, health services, education, transport and communications.

A typical Maubisse resident is a member of a subsistence farming family who exist on less than a AUD $350 annual income and live in a house with a dirt floor. A family may not have electricity, running water or transport (unless they are lucky enough to own a pony).

Children may attend a school with no furniture, books or pens, and school can be cancelled for the whole wet season if the building leaks.

Only 10 per cent of mothers have any sort of medical help during childbirth and the only option for keeping mosquitoes from the baby is to fill the house with smoke.