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

ANZAC Day is a time of remembrance and reflection, particularly in 2018 which is the 100^th Anniversary of the end of WW1.

There are so many untold stories from this time. Some are so harrowing that soldiers simply returned home and never spoke again of their war experiences, some were also Top Secret, so they are not widely known.

That is why we found our visit to the ANZAC Centre in Albany was so overwhelming. So many unknown stories explained. We are still learning about some of what happened then.

WW2 was also a time where soldiers didn’t talk about their experiences, were sworn to secrecy, or information was withheld for security, so some stories were not widely known until recent years. For example, it was only a few years ago we learned that more bombs were dropped on Darwin than Pearl Harbour, and very few people are aware of the remarkable events that happened in East Timor during 1942/3.

‘Across the Timor Sea’ was formed when Jan was reading some of her Uncle’s precious WW2 books and asked him questions about them.  (Lt/Capt. Nicolay 2/4th Commando.)

This led to him talking about his time in East Timor during WW2, and his creado (helper/friend), Nicolof.

In 2010, Jan went to Timor Leste` and found Nicolof (Domingos Baretto).  She was overwhelmed to discover that his memories of ‘Nick’ and the other Australian Commandos based in Ailalec Village during WW2, were warmly recalled and clear.

‘Across the Timor Sea’ was established to acknowledge this bond, and has evolved from there.

~  Lest we forget.

Education has always been a primary focus for Across the Timor Sea, and has resulted in the establishment of the Baretto/Nicolay Scholarship program. In 2018, the Across the Timor Sea scholarship has grown to 10 students receiving support for their Secondary Education.

Timor Leste` is a very young nation, and gaining independence came at a great cost. Many schools were destroyed at that time. We have come to understand that Timor Leste` lost 20% of Primary teachers and 80% of Secondary on gaining Independence, and 95% of schools were either damaged or destroyed.

Since that time there has been work towards recovery and rebuilding, however there is much to make up for.

We admire what is being achieved at St Francis of Assisi School (which is the preferred school by Ailalec Village parents and Ailalec Council), and Jan has noted much enthusiasm for achievement and overall wellbeing of the students there.

There is justified pride in the building construction Jan saw when she was last at the school. The new building will enable school numbers to increase, providing accommodation for the nuns and female students. Included in their vision are plans for indoor sports and a sewing room.

The New Building Site

All at ‘Across the Timor Sea’ were delighted to hear about plans for a dedicated Sewing Room, because in some of the container shipments sent there, we have included donated sewing machines and materials. This was in the hope that students would be taught sewing skills, and on returning to their home village, be able to start a cottage industry of some sort, or at least enhance their community in some way.

This program could not operate without the generous support of Sponsors.

The Donations in Kind (DIK) wing of Scarborough Rotary have been a tremendous support for Across the Timor Sea, and we can’t express our thanks fully enough. No more so, than with the help they have given to enable a Computer Lab to be set up at St Francis of Assisi School in Timor Leste’.  It has been wonderful for ‘Across the Timor Sea’ to simply be a conduit for this project.

                          Chairs for the Computer Room being unloaded.

   Computers being set up.

                                                 I.T. Teachers preparing the room.

Teachers learning how to use the Computers.

                               Students working hard at their Computers.

The importance of being able to access a computer, and learn how to use one, is huge. The skills gained are immeasurable.

Across the Timor Sea is profoundly thankful to all who enabled this to happen, particularly Donations in Kind, Scarborough Rotary.