Project Fuan

Project Fuan is an Overseas Community Involvement Project (OCIP) initiated by a dedicated group of healthcare students from the National University of Singapore (NUS). 

Launched in 2024, this project’s mission is to redefine health holistically by empowering communities in Timor-Leste and cultivating strong relationships with the local community. These objectives will be accomplished using two main approaches: enhancing access to healthcare services and promoting health education for both children and adults. The success of these efforts would rely on the support and collaboration of the local Timorese community. Therefore Project Fuan will partner with schools and organizations to create impactful programs that encourage self-care and resilience.

A group photo featuring children from Vapour Public School, representatives from Project Fuan and Loes Care Farm.
A meeting with the principal of Shallom School, showing project representatives seated around a table in a discussion.

In collaboration with Loes Care Farm, a local organization established by Care Channels International to empower Timorese communities through healthcare, education, and livelihood programs, Project Fuan will work with their volunteer medical team to organize, assist and ensure the smooth operation of mobile clinics in two rural villages and an orphanage. These mobile clinics are a highly effective way to improve access to healthcare, delivering essential medical services directly to the underserved on an annual basis. The project aims to reach out to 150 individuals in each location visited.

The canteen of St. Paul Methodist School, characterised by its open, modern structure with red roofing and spacious surroundings.

Acknowledging the limited health education resources in Timor-Leste, Project Fuan aims to make health knowledge accessible to both children and adults. This will be achieved through partnerships with schools such as St. Paul Methodist School, a private institution emphasizing holistic student development and academic excellence. We are also partnering with Shallom School, a local private school from kindergarten to Grade 9 located in the heart of Dili, the nation’s capital. Interactive health education sessions will be conducted to students and families about essential topics, including nutrition, hygiene, emotional well-being, and disease prevention.

By equipping children with essential knowledge and skills, Project Fuan aims to inspire a culture of self-care that benefits their families and communities.

In January, three project representatives visited the country for a week-long recce trip. Their visit provided the team with invaluable insights into the living conditions, cultural nuances, and healthcare challenges faced by the local population. These experiences will help shape the team’s approach in designing sustainable programs that address the community’s unique needs for the actual trip in July 2025

Top Left Image: Three team representatives with Liquica Hospital Director and Loes Care Farm respresentatives. Top Right Image: A group photo of the three team representatives in Timor Leste. Bottom Image: A young child standing at her mother's fruit stall, gazing over a table.

Project Fuan hopes to inspire Timorese to take ownership of their health and redefine what it means to live well. By bridging the gap between healthcare knowledge and practice, the team hopes to leave a lasting impact on the communities it serves.

If you share our vision of nurturing lifelong health and self-care in future generations, connect with Project Fuan to learn more and support our journey! Obrigado! (Thank you in Tetun, Timor Leste’s national language)

Email: projectfuan@gmail.com

Instagram: @project.fuan

Tiktok: @project.fuan

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List of Overseas Projects

I first heard about Timor-Leste back in 2023 when I flew there for a church mission trip. Timor Leste is a beautiful country with amazing landscapes and warm-hearted people. However, it was a shock to me to witness that their healthcare was basic and medical supplies were limited.

I could not fully grasp the enormity of the situation back then and could not help the locals in any way. However, after starting nursing school, I began to understand just how crucial healthcare is and quickly realised that I now had an opportunity to help them.

When I went back in January 2025 for a recce trip, I had the chance to speak with the locals about their health needs and gain a deeper understanding of their health literacy. Through my interactions with them I am convinced that this project will be meaningful, not just for the Timorese community, but also for my team. By sharing our skills and resources, we would not only support the local community but also grow through the experience ourselves.

Starting this project is the best thing that I have done in nursing school. It has made my student life so much richer and more meaningful. I hope that everyone who joins me on this adventure will feel the same way too. I am grateful for all the support this project has received so far and am excited to see where it will go from here.

– Tan Shieh Jeanne, Project Director AY2024/2025

List of Overseas Projects