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.

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.