Follow Hannah and Kirstin’s recent journey to Timor-Leste. Amid the hustle of national elections, they embarked on a remarkable road trip to visit MWIA-supported communities and meet the inspiring people behind them.
Melbourne to Dili
Early morning Melbourne-to-Dili flight via Adelaide and Darwin. Lots of election observers on the flight – getting ready for the highly-anticipated Presidential election on Sunday. Met our driver and translator extraordinaire Zu at the airport. Grabbed supplies and then headed off via road from Dili to Baucau … arriving just as the sun set. Thrilled to finally be here. Looking forward to meeting the strong women working in their communities across this part of Timor-Leste.
Dili to Baucau
A quick stop by the market in Baucau’s old town before meeting with some of the area’s women shifting attitudes, creating opportunities for independence, and amplifying female voices. Initial briefing / planning meet with Regina de Sousa (pictured bottom right), Director of the Servisu Asaun Sosiál Munisipiu Baucau (Baucau Municipal Department of Social Welfare) and Teresa Pereira, Executive Director of Centro Feto Haburas Dezenvolvimentu (Centre for Women’s Development), before heading off to learn more about the great work being led by organisations such as Uma Esperansa (House of Hope), Uma Pás (House of Peace) and Lafaek Diak (the Good Crocodile).
Bacau to Venilale
The roosters ensured we were up bright and early. Only a few more days before Timor-Leste’s Parliamentary elections and truckloads of political campaigners are out in full force. Drove south to Venilale to visit women’s co-operative Grupo Tais Buka Moris (Livelihood Weaving Group).
All the women members are widows. The leader is Josefina Soares whose parents, father and brother were taken by the Indonesian military in the 1980s during the occupation. They were never heard of again.
The women weave traditional cloth into tais, using methods passed down through generations of women. Income generated from the sales is divided into three – one-third reinvested to buy new materials, one-third to cover household expenses, and one-third on their children’s education.
Morning tea was green banana and sweet potato and a fresh salsa made of tomatoes, chillies, onion and coriander – all from their local garden. The coffee was incredible and was made with their own beans, dried naturally in the sun – we could see a pile drying when we walked in. Tree to cup AND no food miles.
Venilale to Gari-uai
Off to Gari-uai to see the preschool school and community centre. What a great example of raising educational standards. We were treated to a special performance by the children, who were clearly thriving in their surrounds.
We said a quick hello to Sister Selvi and a group of local women she was meeting with in the attached community centre before getting ready to head back to Dili for the long weekend.
Gari-uai to Dili
A temporary farewell to the wonderful women and smiling faces of Baucau. Back to Dili we head, amid the final hours of campaigning to be greeted by this nation’s young celebrating 21 years of the birth of Timor-Leste.
Restoration of Independance Day in Dili
Timor-Leste celebrates its Restoration of Independence Day! This day has special importance to the people of this young country because of the decades long, bloody conflict it took to finally achieve independence in 2002.
On 20 May 2002, Timor-Leste became the first new sovereign state of the 21st Century. This calls for a long walk around Dili – topped off by a chance photo opportunity with the nation’s President, José Ramos-Horta!
Election Day in Dili
Election Day! After centuries of colonisation and occupation, the people of Timor-Leste celebrate the opportunity to head to the polls – proudly holding up their ink-stained fingers as a symbol of freedom.
Dili to Gari-uai
Met with our Jesuit friends as well as the Caritas team in Timor Leste, headed by the wonderful Fernando Pires. The team shared they use an accompaniment model of work, focusing on localisation, local ownership and capacity-strengthening.
Much to learn and ponder from our in-country colleagues as we head back east to Gari-uai and Ostico.
Ostico
Ostico here we are! After over two years of watching the challenges of construction during a global pandemic from afar, it was amazing to finally be standing in the centre, walking through its cooling and calming corridors, sharing our adventures and laughs with the Sisters over delicious local fare, and drifting off to sleep to the sound of crickets through open windows.
Ostico
Early morning adventures in Ostico. Joined by Sister Margaret Mary and Loreto novices Athy and Octa, we embarked on a mission to discover the achievements and needs of this incredible community.
We witnessed the potential of Ostico’s agribusiness – talk about MWIA supporters cultivating growth! We were inspired to help them flourish and expand their market reach. Supermarkets await!
Then on to see the new bore water system embraced by the locals. With the help of MWIA supporters, the community now has clean, accessible water – plus two simple outdoor laundries!
Water is life, and the community is now seeking expert advice on using off-grid power to collect and store this vital resource and to ensure a reliable water supply for future agricultural endeavours.
Ostico to Triloca
First stop – Hamelale, where 11 inspiring women have formed a cooperative that radiates unity. Sporting matching t-shirts, they are definitely making waves in the community. By funding the construction of a new chicken coop and incubator to boost production, we can be part of ensuring their small business enterprise, and therefore financial independence, is a success. Let’s celebrate the incredible power of these women.
Next we called into HAFUCO, a cooperative located in Triloka and run by Maria Tilman. Here they make for sale banana and sweet potato chips from their own-grown produce. We learnt that many in the wider community and region visit to learn from the group about setting up their own cooperatives.
That and Maria’s sessions on nutrition for new and soon-to-be mothers means they are a busy group.
Strong women equal strong communities indeed!
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