Across the Timor Sea first began to acknowledge the special bond of friendship between Domingos Baretto (from Ailalec, East Timor) and Norman Nicolay (an Australian 2/4^th Commando) during WW2.

We thought the best way to recognise this would be to support education, as we knew Norman Nicolay valued education and learning. This evolved into the ‘Baretto/Nicolay Scholarship program’, however we couldn’t miss the opportunity to facilitate the building of an early childhood education centre, when the SANGORA Foundation agreed to provide funds for the building to go ahead.

This was a wonderful opportunity, however we had no idea of the challenges involved. Looking back, there were many hurdles to be overcome, and took about 5 years, however the final outcome is extremely rewarding.

Though only 50 families make up Ailalec, the menfolk of the village have previously demonstrated that they have the building skills necessary to construct an excellent Kindergarten, so we were able to plan for the Pre-Primary building to be built by this team from the village. The planning stage involved Ailalec Council, Ailalec villagers, the village Chief and the school Principal. (We knew it was important for Ailalec residents to have control of what was constructed, and the importance they placed on the planning meeting showed they did too.)

The meeting took a long time, with a myriad of issues to be ironed out.
There is now a new Chief in the village, but the previous chief was included in the negotiations, and although he does not read or write, signed the official document with his thumbprint.

  .                                                ~ Papers being Signed at the Meeting

Papers signed, agreement completed.

After the final plans were agreed to, there was a 12-month delay to starting because the menfolk of the village had previously committed to building a road, which would greatly improve travelling to Ailalec.

It was exciting when the building finally started. Judite Martins (Dili Rotary) liaised for us. Her supervision of the supply of materials and progress of the building was pivotal, and we especially thank her for the guidance and advice she gave throughout the process.

Progress

When Jan visited Ailalec in August this year, a celebration was held to acknowledge Across the Timor Sea’s role in the whole Early Childhood building happening, and even though it was not fully operating the kindergarten teacher was taking lessons with the children in a local house.

       It was excitingly close to being ready for use, so there was much anticipation.     

When the building was finally finished in October 2019. They had an official opening, which involved the whole village, with an important guest there to officially open the building. Unfortunately, Jan was unable to attend at that time, however Judite was thankfully able to be there.

            ~ The Ceremony

Judite Martins with Ailalec Villagers watching the Ceremony

Ailalec Primary Students at the Kindergarten Inauguration Ceremony

None of this could have happened without the generous donation of the SANGORA Foundation, and we know this wonderful building is highly valued and appreciated by Ailalec Villagers.

All at Across the Timor Sea look forward to Jan’s visit to Ailalec next year, to see how it has impacted.

It will be 101 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.

We also remember with reverence and affection, a special villager from Ailalec. He warmly welcomed Jan at the village, when she first went there, and understood the importance of the Across the Timor Sea scholarship program.

He was also a freedom fighter, during the difficult times leading up to the vote for Independence for Timor Lesté in 1999, and in 2015 he died due to injuries suffered during that time.

He left a family of a loving wife and eight young children.

When visitors first go to Timor Leste´ they usually use taxis, which can often be quite expensive over a period of time, so when Jan discovered the use of microlets it was beneficial in that it made travelling around Dili quicker, cheaper (25cents) and more enjoyable.

Microlets are used by Dili locals, so visitors using them get to mingle and travel with an array of people who are going about their daily lives in the city.

Jan found that Dili residents, whilst reserved at first, were very friendly and welcoming when she used the microlets. There was often a local who spoke English, so it made the journey even more enjoyable.

During August this year, Jan made her 10^th visit to Timor Lesté. The primary goal of her visit was to follow up on ‘Across the Timor Sea’ projects. Her time there also coincided with the Timor Lesté Independence Celebration, which was particularly important as it was their 20^th. Some of the visiting dignitaries for the celebrations were on the same flight from Darwin as Jan’s.

August 2019
~ Dignitaries exiting plane to attend 20^th Year Celebrations.

Marching Bands at the 20^th Celebration.

August the 30^th 2019 was the 20^th Anniversary of the vote for Independence in Timor Lestè. This date is often compared to Australia Day in Australia.

1999 was the culmination of years of turmoil, in the fight for freedom. Approximately 78% of voters, knowing they were risking retaliation, voted for Independence.

Even though thousands of citizens were killed during that conflict, the choice was made not to seek retribution after this extremely difficult time. The Australian PM has said that Timor Lestè has shown the world how to overcome violence with peace.

About 80% of the infrastructure was destroyed during the turmoil, and there are burned out skeletons of buildings still evident. However, there has been much reconstruction in the past 20 years and this bodes well for the future.

Timor Lestè is a young country, in both years and population demographics. About 60% of the population are under the age of 25. Many at the 20^th celebrations were too young to remember what happened before or during the vote (or yet born), however most families lost someone during that harrowing time, so memories are vivid and important.

One of these Independence Soldiers was a villager from Ailalec who made Jan feel so welcome when she first went into Ailalec. ~ He is a parent of Domingas Pereira, who is a senior Across the Timor Sea student.

2013~  Domingas Lopes Pereira (Domingos Barreto’s granddaughter) with her parents.

Domingas’ father died a few years ago, from injuries that were a result of injuries inflicted during that troubled time ~ leaving a very young family of eight.

He was revered and is greatly missed.

All at Across the Timor Sea acknowledge the value of a strong sense of Community in a society, so when Judite sent us the following photographs (from Timor Lesté) we were delighted, because they show a great spirit of cooperation and camaraderie, which benefits the whole village. There is such joy in working together and the dietary benefits are indisputable.

Heading off to do some fishing,                                        Fishing together.

Cooking

Community fish stock.

Villagers picnicking together.

Buffalo are well cared for. They are a valuable community asset for the Village.

All at ‘Across the Timor Sea’ have always thought that education was pivotal to villagers of Ailalec being able to best manage progress and benefit from opportunities …….. on their terms. So, when the SANGORA Foundation made funds available for the construction of an early childhood centre (in 2017) we were extremely pleased, because we know a sound early start will make a great difference to each child’s progress throughout their schooling (as do the SANGORA Foundation).

                                           Signing the Contract, Ailalec Village 2017

The Early Childhood Building Contract

As with the student sponsorship program, we recognize that it is fundamentally important that Ailalec Villagers have a paramount role in the decisions being made. It was important for us, and the success of the project, to involve Villagers in the Planning, Construction and operation of the building.  The SANGORA foundation provided the funds for the materials and equipment for the construction, Across the Timor Sea facilitated when necessary, and builders from Ailalec Village were responsible for the construction of the building.

The start of the Ailalec Early Childhood Building
~ With roof construction materials being carefully stockpiled.

Progress has been slow, however there was great excitement when it finally started.

Beams being placed in position.

Roof Construction

Once started, construction of the building has progressed at an exciting rate and all at Across the Timor Sea have been delighted to see the skill and enthusiasm shown with it happening. We look forward to seeing how it is progressing (and reporting this progress to the SANGORA Foundation).

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.