HoHA began working in Timor-Leste in 2013. Many Timorese who live in poverty must rely on heavy, repetitive physical work to earn an income and the incidence of muscle, joint and back pain is therefore very high. However musculoskeletal pain and disability is a low priority for healthcare authorities in Timor-Leste and there are few opportunities to access safe, affordable care for the relief of pain.

The HoHA Sustainable Training Treatment Employment Program (STTEP) was started to train local health professionals in soft-tissue therapy techniques, which can be implemented in clinics and hospitals. This brings relief to many people suffering from acute and chronic musculoskeletal problems. A small team of academics and clinical advisors have developed the curriculum for this program, receiving regular local community input to ensure that our training program remains consistent with the needs of the local community. 

* There are currently no tours to Timor-Leste however stay tuned for future updates *