A very revered and cherished elder of Ailalec village is the sister of Douglas.   She remembers quite clearly when Douglas was a very young creado to Major Max Walker (the CO of the Australian Commandos during WW2 in 1942/3).

Douglas remained on the beach, as the Australian Commandos were evacuated in 1943, so as a result he paid the ultimate price.

Douglas’ Sister , 2013 

Though now very frail, her memory is vivid, and her first-person memories are very important to all who meet her.

Amongst many other things, she remembers and can retell stories of when:

• • the Australian Commandos based their camp in Ailalec.
  • her brother didn’t come back from the beach, seeing off the Australians.
  • Ailalec was destroyed, because the Ailalec villagers supported the Australians.
  • the village was rebuilt, a short distance from the original one.

    

    Douglas’ Sister with Judite, 2017 

She also understands the significance of the plaque, although she is now too frail to journey there, however her oral history remains vivid to others in the village.

Don (from Scarborough Rotary Club, WA) went to see the plaque in late 2018, and the villagers of Ailalec were delighted to show him the plaque and share their story.

Don, Tim & Ailalec Villagers at the Plaque site.

It is because of the special bond of friendship between Australians and the villagers of Ailalec that ‘Across the Timor Sea’ began. This bond was very evident during WW2, when the Australian Commandos were based in Ailalec. Although it was very dangerous for the villagers to maintain this support, they did not capitulate.

The Plaque, just outside the village of Ailalec

Another revered Ailalec village elder is Jamie, who is Domingos Baretto’s brother.

Jamie, with children from Ailalec Village

In 1942/43, during WW2, Domingos Baretto (Nicolof) was creado to Norman Nicolay (Lieut. Capt. of the 2/4^th Commandos ~ a.k.a then as ‘Nick’)

It was Jamie’s recollections of that time that led to the special positioning of the plaque, which is on the original site of the village where the Australian Commandos were based during their time in East Timor.

The connection our Australian Commandos had with the villagers of Ailalec, and the special bond of friendship and mutual respect that developed during WW2, was the primary reason for the creation of Across the Timor Sea.

Three ‘Across the Timor Sea’ scholarship students are graduating from Senior High School this year, and others will follow.

The friendships formed in 1942/43 continues.

Lest We Foget ……….

When last in Timor Lestè, Jan visited the Dili Rehabilitation Centre, as a representative for Scarborough Rotary Club, WA. It was one of the first things she and Brigitte did, before they went into the mountains to follow up on Across the Timor Sea projects.

The visit to the Centre was overwhelming. The work done there, with severely disabled children, is awe-inspiring.  The contributions made by Wheelchairs for Kids (sponsored by Scarborough Rotary Club, WA) have amazing results. Each time a wheelchair is donated, such care and attention is given to adapt the wheelchair to third world conditions, where they make a remarkable difference to the lives of children (and families) in great need.

Families waiting for their visit.

Such care and attention is given to each fitting.

It is a very busy place, with much going on.

It brings much happiness.

Each wheelchair is adapted to accommodate the needs of the child and the environment he (or she) is going home to.

All at Across the Timor Sea admire the work done by Wheelchairs for Kids (sponsored by Scarborough Rotary Club) and the difference they make to people from so many countries around the world.

As is Across the Timor Sea, Wheelchairs for Kids is an organization that is totally operated and funded by volunteers, and they have remarkable results.

During October 2018, Jan went on her 9^th visit to Timor Lestè, and this time she was accompanied by her friend Brigitte, from Switzerland. It is always challenging getting there, however exciting when arriving.

Whilst in Dili they stayed at the Beachside Hotel, which is always a lovely place to stay.

They had a lovely breakfast overlooking the ocean, where they were both surprised to see pigs foraging freely along the beach.

A sow with one of her piglets

The tree on the beach outside the Beachside Hotel was a scenic place for the pigs to forage.

Breakfast was relaxing, however they had much business to attend to in Dili, before heading into the mountains. In particular, their plans to visit the Dili Rehabilitation Centre.

11/11/18 is a time of remembrance.  On that date, it will be 100 years since armistice was signed to end WW1.

At the 11^th hour, of the 11^th day, of the 11^th month ~ We will remember.

Lest We Forget.

~ Across the Timor Sea

In 2016, Across the Timor Sea was so appreciative when the SANGORA Foundation granted funds for the construction of an early childhood Pre-Primary centre for Ailalec Primary School, however the progress of this project has been slow.

In October 2017, there was a meeting at Ailalec Village with a gathering of stakeholders, which ended in the signing of a contract for the Project, which meant funds for the start of building were approved.                         Stage 1 of the Project could begin.

Ailalec Village, 2017. Building Contract discussed, agreed upon, signed and ready to start.

Though Ailalec Village is remote, and there have been challenges along the way (such as monsoon rains restricting access) we do know residents of the village are excellent builders, as demonstrated by their previous work. Construction has started, and should be well on its way by the time Jan next visits Ailalec.

Stage 1 of the Ailalec Pre-Primary 2018 ~ Happening at last!

As most projects undertaken by Across the Timor Sea have been focused on supporting education, particularly the Baretto/Nicolay scholarship for students from Ailalec Primary, we understand the importance of a good early childhood education, so we have great hopes for the future of this centre.

Donated goods for several Across the Timor Sea’s contacts in Timor Lestè had again been accumulating in Jan’s family room, so when Trevor Canning from Donations in Kind, Scarborough Rotary, again came to help by transporting them to Dili, we were very thankful.

Working at the Container

The Container Crew

Another Container of an abundant array of goods is now on its way to Timor Lestè.

Across the Timor Sea has had an amazing array of donated goods, donated by some extremely generous people. Items such as towels and sheets, sewing machines, books, clothing, to a variety of furniture, are gratefully received and really make a difference to their various destinations in Timor Lestè. St Francis of Assisi School was able to set up a Computer Room using donated computers, tables and chairs.

When Jan last visited Ailalec Village, she noticed there was a shortage of furniture in Ailalec Primary School, so the school tables and chairs sent via the Donations in Kind container will be of great benefit.

Transporting these goods to Timor Lestè has always been a great challenge for Across the Timor Sea, however Trevor Canning (from Donations in Kind, Scarborough Rotary) has been a wonderful support. We are so thankful for all he has done.

Education will always be a priority for Across the Timor Sea, and the construction of the new Ailalec Primary Pre-school building (funded by the SANGORA Foundation) has taken up an enormous amount of Jan’s time.

Jan’s Courtyard

Donated materials and equipment for this building had steadily accumulated in both Jan’s family room & courtyard, and the Donations in Kind (Scarborough Rotary) warehouse.

Much effort, and the overcoming of many challenges, have been required for this load to finally be on its way.

Our thanks to Trevor Canning (Donations in Kind, Scarborough Rotary) for your support in this.

As the numbers of Across the Timor Sea students increase (10 in 2018), the older students are clearly able to support the younger ones. They are setting a fine example.     

When Jan was last at St Francis school, one of the Across the Timor Sea students, Oscar, remarked  that one day he would like to be a Pre-Primary teacher. Father Nico (Principal of St Francis) said that he could attend the teaching classes that are run each Saturday morning for would be Pre-Primary teachers in the area.

This augurs well for the Ailalec Pre-Primary in the future.

Oscar, 2018

The Pre-Primary School at St Francis of Assisi is run very well by Sr. Leonilde Ximens, and is an ideal example of what Ailalec PP can strive for.

St Francis of Assisi PrePrimary