Though we have not had the amount of contact with and information from Timor Lesté that we have in previous years, what we have heard is reassuring. The Timor Lesté Government has been very careful it their approach to handling the threat of COVID 19; and though the Across the Timor Sea students had to return to their home village, they only missed two months of schooling. All returned to school, ready to finish off the school year.

         ~ We are waiting to hear how they went in their exams.

It is inspiring for all at Across the Timor Sea when we get news of Jonia and Domingas, who are preparing to continue their second year of Tertiary studies in 2021.  They were in the first group of Across the Timor Sea students to graduate from High School (in 1919).

We look forward to the start of the 2021 School year, when we will get more information about the progress of both groups of ‘Across the Timor Sea’ students.

At this time of year, as she has for the past 11 years, Jan would be travelling to Timor Lestè. Her goal is to have interaction with various contacts she has there, and monitor the progress of projects Across the Timor Sea had been undertaking. However, at the moment, Australians are banned from travelling overseas (unless exempted), so she is unable to go this year; and we are not sure how long the ban will be.

2020 has been a problematic year for many, especially in Timor Lestè. Already dealing with existing challenges, the Timor Lestè Government acted quickly to contain the first signs of COVID19. As of November 2020, there had been 30 cases, 0 deaths and 30 recovered.    ~ A remarkable statistic.

News that we have from Timor Lestè is encouraging, as things seem to be returning to some semblance of ‘normal’.  They are being very careful regarding COVID19 safety; and this is very reassuring to us.

The school year is coming to a close, and as we have always found communications between Timor Lestè difficult, we are still waiting to hear how 2020 has impacted fully on the Across the Timor Sea scholarship students. We do know there is no electricity in Ailalec; and as the students were unable to continue their studies during the COVID 19 emergency, they have missed two months of the school term.

Remembrance Day is a day for us to stop and reflect on the losses of war. We are urged to stop and reflect for one minute of silence at 11.00am, on 11 November, so we can remember those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts.

2020 has been a challenging year for all because of COVID restrictions. The usual format Remembrance Service in Australian War Memorial will be limited to invited guests only. The Ceremony will be televised however. 

All at Across the Timor Sea will remember, especially at this time; and we also reflect how this spirit of care has been evident in Timor Lestè this year. They have been ‘challenged’ by so many problems, that would seem to us by any measure, overwhelming. COVID 19 being just one of them. It was their strong sense of community that got them through it all.  

At the 11^th hour, of the 11^th day, of the 11^th month ~

We will remember.

Across the Timor Sea has always primarily been focused on supporting Ailalec Village; and this led to the student scholarship program, which will always be our primary focus. However, being able to send Containers of donated goods has been an opportunity to help in so many other ways.

Computers, furniture, clothing, sewing machines, cottons and material are just a few of the variety of items that have been sent and greatly appreciated. In the last container, there were actually artificial limbs and other such equipment for the Dili Rehabilitation Centre, which will be put to great use.  We have been overwhelmed with the generosity of so many people.

Though rewarding, it has always been a very challenging process to get the container deliveries to Dili, and no more so than the last time. There was a chain of help, starting with Laurie Fisher, Coordinator Donations in Kind (DIK) Melbourne Victoria, who offered to include Across the Timor Sea’s goods in the Container he was sending to Dili. Then Jay Shaw Director of Ne Solution Perth, arranged for Adlam Transport Company to get the goods to Melbourne.

After the ship carrying the container left Melbourne Port, it went to Singapore, then Surabaya where it went into dry-dock for 6-8 weeks. By the time it reached Dili, Covid 19 restrictions hit. Everything was in lock-down.

Thankfully all the goods have now been delivered.

In one box, that was included in the last container sent, were children’s books, which we knew would be greatly appreciated. Across the Timor Sea was sent a photograph of them on display, ready for borrowing.

COVID 19 restrictions resulted in nearly all students in Timor Lestè having to return to their home village; and this was compounded by destructive monsoonal storms.

All at Across the Timor Sea were very concerned about the enormity of the problems. Also, how it would impact on students’ future academic progress.

However, we were reassured that with ‘isolation’ restrictions, the residents of Ailalec would be much safer there ~ isolated already, high in the mountains. So, we were gratified to receive the news that Across the Timor Sea scholarship students were safe and well; and were now able to return to school.

All at Across the Timor Sea are still very concerned about the hardships and deprivations that are relentlessly continuing for many, many people in Timor Lestè. Both severe monsoonal damage and COVID 19 have caused overwhelming problems. Many people are trying to help in some way.

This has started with the delivery of bags of rice:

Due to COVID 19 constraints, both schools and universities etc. in Timor Lesté have been closed. Most students have had to return to their home village.

All at Across the Timor Sea have been very concerned about the impact this would have on the students’ future academic progress. However, we were reassured that with the ‘isolation’ restrictions, the residents of Ailalec would be much safer there ~ isolated already, high in the mountains.

News of their situation was limited, however when reports finally got through it was even more alarming. There was news of torrential rains and flooding, resulting in the food crops that were ready for harvest, being washed away. The area most affected is lower down the mountain from Ailalec where the bridges across the rivers have been demolished along with houses, leaving 577 families without food, making Ailalec completely inaccessible to the outside world.  Telephone reception is also out of order.

It is hard for us to fully comprehend the impact of this loss. People dealing with difficult circumstances, now face inaccessibility, homelessness and hunger.

There are some wonderful people trying to help. Fr Nico has received some rice from the diocese; and he used $1500 from Padua College that he had on hand, to buy rice (though not enough). They are distributing 10kg per family as soon as possible.

~ Students helping to fill bags of rice, ready for distribution.

~ Students, with the bags of rice, loaded and ready to be distributed to the 577 families in need of food. 

ANZAC  Day is a solemn day for Australians, however this year will be different to other ANZAC Days as the public are unable to attend services or marches this year due to COVID 19 restrictions.

We will however commemorate this special day in our own way.

Across the Timor Sea honours those who served.

Lest we forget.

News from Timor Lestè has been scant in the past few months, however all at Across the Timor Sea have been busy organising and sending goods to various organisations there, which we know are greatly appreciated when they arrive.

All at Across the Timor Sea would like to acknowledge the wonderful contribution over the past few years by Scarborough Rotary, supporting Across the Timor Sea in many ways. From the Quiz Night, transporting goods etc. With their help, Across the Timor Sea was able to outfit the remote village of Ailalec’s Kindergarten, which was built last year, as well as supply school equipment and stationary for both the Primary School in Ailalec and St. Francis of Assisi school (where the Across the Timor Sea scholarship students attend).

However, Scarborough Rotary DIK are no longer operating, so our conundrum as how to ship these goods was of great concern.

After many anxious months Laurie Fisher, Coordinator Donations in Kind (DIK) Melbourne Victoria, came to the rescue. If Across the Timor Sea transported their goods to Melbourne, DIK would ship them to Dili. This was a huge relief and was appreciated immensely, however there was still the problem of getting the goods to Melbourne.

Jay Shaw Director of Ne Solution Perth, was the saving grace. She arranged for Adllam Transport Company to transport the goods over to Laurie at DIK Melbourne. They were extremely proficient, helpful and on time.

Because of this wonderful support, over 93 items will be able to be transported (mid-April) to Timor Lesté, thanks to the chain of events starting with Jay Shaw, connecting us to Adllam Transport Company, who transported our goods to Laurie, at DIK Melbourne. THANK YOU All.

Because of the supporters help, we have been able to accomplish so much; and this help has made such a positive difference to so many people in Timor Lesté.

All at ‘Across the Timor Sea’ were absolutely delighted to learn that the three senior ‘Across the Timor Sea’ sponsored students have graduated, after successfully completing five years of schooling at St Francis of Assisi High School.

They can take great pride in their achievements.

Jonia and Domingas

Nelson with Tim

They are the ‘pioneers’ of the program, the first, and we have been privileged to watch and support their hard work and progress.

We look forward to seeing how successful their University Entrance exam results are.