Timor Leste Volunteer Trip

Timor Leste is one of Australia’s closest geographical neighbours. After enduring centuries of colonialism under the Portuguese and a bloody 24-year occupation by Indonesia, it is also one of the poorest countries in the world. Children average only 4 to 5 years of education and 50% of the population has never been to school. Medical and dental facilities remain out of reach of many. All this on Australia’s doorstep – only 700km from Darwin.

I became aware of the plight of the East Timorese people during my time in the Defence Force (1986-1992). For many years I felt my hands were tied by Australia’s political policy towards the country. When Timor Leste gained independence in 2002, I was busy with the demands of a young family. Now, many years later, I have finally found an opportunity to help in some way.

In November I am travelling to Timor Leste to volunteer at a dental clinic in Balibo run by an Australian non-profit organisation Timor Children’s Foundation (TCF). I will also be learning more about TCF’s educational scholarships program, with the aim of becoming involved in its administration. I’ve learned that half the program’s scholarship recipients are young women who don’t attend classes whilst menstruating due to lack of access to sanitary products. I’ll be bringing fabric and other materials to help support a local project, making reusable products so that these students can attend school, college and university.

You can help me assist the young people of Timor Leste on my volunteer trip. Your donation will go towards:

• Buying fabric and materials required for the construction of reusable menstrual sanitary packs for female scholarship students

• Travel and accommodation costs whilst in Dili and Balibo

• Any donations in excess of those required will be directed into Timor Children’s Foundation scholarship fund, or into purchasing fabric for future scholarship recipient sanitary packs.