East Timorese Children after school

As the Indonesians withdrew pro-Jakarta militia and their retreating TNI (Indonesian Army) mentors went on a rampage of destruction. In just 10 days, around 80% of East Timor's infrastructure, including its houses, shops and schools were burned, smashed or looted. One of the finest centres for education, the polytechnic in Dili, was totally destroyed. That destruction of education facilities and the withdrawal of the mostly Indonesian teaching staff from the country have left the East Timorese education system struggling to meet the needs of the people.

East Timor is country of children and young people, who make up a majority of the population of under one million. Over one third of the population is under 15 years old. The destruction of the education system has left 40% of these children unable to attend school, and the literacy rate for the country as a whole is 60%. The withdrawal of Indonesian teachers has meant that training replacement personnel is a major need.

As well the harm suffered by its educational system and facilities, East Timor also has to contend with hunger and malnutrition; health issues, including serious problems with malaria and tuberculosis, and a low level of economic activity. There are few jobs for people outside of government departments, resulting in an unemployment rate of 70%.

The circumstances of the villagers in one area, Fatumaca, are typical of those throughout East Timor. Senhor Eduardo and Senhora Filomena and their six children live in a dirt-floored structure with no walls, which is made of second-hand roofing iron supported by hand-cut wooden poles. They 'shower' in a roofless tin lean-to after lugging water from a small irrigation canal at the bottom of the hill. Senhor Eduardo rises at 4 AM to bake bread in a makeshift oven. At 7AM the younger children then walk to near-by villages to sell the bread, before heading off to school, which starts at 8AM. Senhor Eduardo then goes to the shared village garden where he grows vegetables for the family, and to sell in Dili, four hours away by bus.

Senhora Filomena's sister, Aquelina and her husband Senhor Duarte live nearby, with their family, in a house made of bamboo and grass. Senhor Duarte works in the kitchen of the nearby boys' college. The eldest of the couple's seven children, daughter Delya and her cousin, Jovita, are bright students who finished high school and who wish to continue their education. Delya wants to become a vet and Jovita would like to study electrical engineering in Dili. The families can not afford the fees, however.

What is not typical of the rest of East Timor is the survival at Fatumaca of the Dom Bosco Technical High School and its associated primary school and junior secondary school. The High School is a vital facility because of the role it is playing in training tradesmen and technicians to assist with the restoration and development of the country. There are four areas of specialisation: carpentry, basic engineering, electricity and electronics. The school's principal, Brother Marcal Lopes has noted "Our main focus is really to do our best to make the school run properly to prepare the people in their respective skills so they can be an asset to the country. I think the future depends very much on the young people who are preparing themselves now. If they are well prepared, then we can hope for a better future."

Even at this relatively fortunate school it is not easy to maintain operations. There are considerable costs involved in: paying teacher salaries; providing materials for the workshops; purchasing fuel for the generators; and providing the students with three meals a day. Given the extreme poverty experienced by most East Timorese families finding money for school fees is also extremely difficult. For the – by Australian standards – paltry sum of $60 a child can be provided with an education for a year, however.

Supporting the efforts of the people of East Timor is a valuable investment in both the future of the country and common peace and stability of the Australian Pacific region. The Gareth Ivory Foundation has been raising money to assist the schools and students of the Fatumaca area.

ASSISTING FATUMACA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

With the help of its friends and supporters, GIF has supplied Fatumaca Elementary School with  new furniture for its infants school classrooms.