In 2008, The Wiggles held a profit live performance for Timor-Leste. Now, greater than 15 years later, the group – similar vibrant skivvies, not fairly the identical band, although equally cherished – has hung out within the nation seeing firsthand how the funds raised are supporting children and their communities.
Throughout a visit with UNICEF Australia earlier this yr, Blue Wiggle Anthony Subject, Yellow Wiggle Tsehay Hawkins, Crimson Wiggle Caterina Mete and Purple Wiggle Lachlan Gillespie, not solely witnessed a few of the instructional, sanitation and gender equality packages developed by the humanitarian organisation, additionally they hung out doing what they do finest – dancing, singing and enjoying with children, after all.
(Picture: UNICEF Australia/2025/Andres)
“English actually wasn’t spoken, hardly in any respect by the kids,” Blue Wiggle Anthony stated of the group’s go to to a College Readiness Program close to Dili the place the youngsters spoke Tetum. “So how did we talk with them? Via music and thru actions.”
This system, considered one of many funded by UNICEF alongside sanitation and hygiene initiatives, is presently being carried out in over 70 faculties throughout the nation with the purpose of serving to children transition to huge faculty, and keep there.
(Picture: UNICEF Australia/2025/Andres)
(Picture: UNICEF Australia/2025/Andres)
In accordance with the organisation, solely 29% of children in Timor-Leste are enrolled in preschool, partly attributable to entry points, making the transition to Grade 1 troublesome, pushing up grade repetition charges in later years, and growing faculty drop out charges too.
“I’ve bought two little ladies and I do know that they’ll be going to preschool, and I by no means thought that wouldn’t be an possibility. So, to see it firsthand right here, it was fairly confronting,” Crimson Wiggle Caterina stated. “But in addition, on the opposite facet of issues, it’s beautiful to see UNICEF has stepped in and is making it accessible for extra households and kids to attend.”
(Picture: UNICEF Australia/2025/Andres)
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(Picture: UNICEF Australia/2025/Andres)
(Picture: UNICEF Australia/2025/Andres)
Throughout their go to, the Wiggles additionally stopped by a Ladies Empowered Program which helps younger ladies subjected to violence construct self-confidence and life expertise. In accordance with UNICEF, 3 in 10 females aged 15-19 skilled bodily violence within the final 12 months. Many circumstances happen at dwelling or at college, and infrequently go unreported.
Yellow Wiggle Tsehay praised the ladies she met: “They had been so sturdy, so, so empowered. The work that UNICEF has finished to assist them be snug, speak about this stuff, realise what’s okay and what’s not okay, and have the ability to develop as ladies in Timor-Leste, that’s completely lovely.”
The Wiggles have been Ambassadors for UNICEF Australia since 2008.
(Function Picture Credit score: UNICEF Australia/2025/Andres)
