From Rebellion to Role Model: How Healthy Relationship Training Transformed Zito Madeira’s Life

In the quiet hills of Quelicai, Baucau, a boy named Zito Madeira was born in 1994 to a humble farming family. His father worked as  a rice field farmer, his mother a housewife and like many Timorese children, Zito grew up experiencing  the family’s hardship where money was often scarce. Yet, even in struggle, he held onto a dream of a better future.

But the journey was not always smooth. As a teenager and young adult, Zito admits he often acted without respect to others in the house or lack of discipline, arguing with his father, neglecting his duties at home, and spending time with friends until midnight without informing his parents. He didn’t know what gender-based violence meant, how to prevent early marriage or pregnancy, or why respect and communication matter in a healthy relationship. “Sometimes I was the victim, and sometimes I was the perpetrator of a problem ,” he recalls. “I didn’t realise how my actions were affecting others.”

That turning point came in 2021, when the Government of Timor-Leste through the Secretary of State for Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture (now Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture) introduced Healthy Relationship Training in Dili, with the support from UNFPA. Zito was one of 38 youth representatives from 11 municipalities selected to attend first batch training of trainers.

He freshly remembered the moment his perspective shifted. “The training opened my eyes. I learned about gender equality, respect for parents, preventing early pregnancy, and protecting ourselves from HIV and STIs. It was not just about relationships with others, it was about changing the relationship with myself.”

When he returned home after the training, his parents were astonished with the changes in Zito. The rebellious son they once struggled to guide was now helping with farm work, assisting in the house chores, and spending time listening rather than arguing. “I wanted to make them proud,” he says.

Zito didn’t stop there. The training inspired  a passion for community service.  After he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health from Dili University, he dedicated himself to become a lecturer at the Institute of Health Sciences in Dili, and now serves as a trainer in Healthy Relationships at the Comoro Children and Youth Centre (CCYC). He is also an active football player with DIT FC and a volunteer with the Timor-Leste Red Cross.

“I owe so much to the Healthy Relationship Training,” Zito says. “Without it, I wouldn’t be who I am today. Now, as a trainer, I’m committed to helping other young people change their lives, maybe even more than I changed mine.” Zito actively engaged in facilitating the Healthy Relationships training at CCYC. Previously, the youth center conducted this training only when government funding was available. Now, it has become a regular weekly program, expanding opportunities for more young people to learn about healthy relationships.

His impact is already being felt. Abelita Domingas Ximenes, one of Zito’s trainees, says, “In our culture, talking about our bodies and sexuality is still taboo. But with Zito’s training, I became confident to discuss openly about early marriage, early pregnancy, GBV, and STIs. I can now share this knowledge with my family and community.”

Miguel Antonio Maia, another participant, believes this kind of training could transform the nation. “If all young people in Timor-Leste had the chance to attend, we would reduce the number of  early pregnancies, less violence, and a healthier generation ready to contribute to our country’s development.”

Since 2021, 14 batches of Healthy Relationship Training have been conducted, with 100 trainers across 13 municipalities and over 2,000 young people trained. The Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture, with UNFPA’s support, continues to expand this programme through youth centres nationwide, empowering Timor-Leste’s youth to live healthy, respectful, and violence-free lives.

For Zito Madeira, the message is simple but powerful: “If I can change, so can you. Your future starts with the choices you make today.”