Peter Trust Projects (Continued)
The Missionary Dominican Sisters of the Rosary (OP)
The Peter Trust has been assisting with a number of projects headed up by the Dominican Sisters which have included an orphanage, a farm, and a kitchen garden including the care of livestock, and the establishment of a Primary School.
Initially the orphanage was established for both boys and girls in Santa Ana, a suburb of the capital city of Dili. There were about eighty residents in total and the Peter Trust funded their daily feeding, and the costs of electrical supply to the premises.
In due course a small agricultural project, St Martins' Farm, was developed at Natarbora on the south coast at which the orphans worked during holiday periods and at weekends. Besides growing various vegetable and fruits this farm also had some livestock including cows, horses and chickens, and an attempt was made at fish breeding.
A similar project was then developed at Hera, a location on the north coast about 40 minutes drive from Dili. Funds were provided by The Peter Trust for irrigation equipment and for seeds/seedlings. This kitchen garden and the husbandry of livestock have provided extensively for the nourishment of the orphans and also for the generation of funds to expand the orphanage itself - boys now being accommodated at Hera, and the girls remaining at Santa Ana in Dili.
Support was also provided for the educational work of the Sisters at Soibada when the recipients were understood to be orphans. When the resident pupils no longer fell into that category the funding was transferred to other projects.
Latterly the Sisters have set up a Primary School, Eskola Dominika, on the extensive site at Hera to cater for the children from an increased numbers of families who have come to reside in that locality. The National Government of Timor Leste funded the building of the school and pays the salaries of the teaching staff - but this was (and remains) conditional upon the school providing nutritional supplements to the pupils and education in nutrition, hygiene and sanitation to their families.
The Peter Trust is currently committed to funding the nutrition and related family education - which has included the building of a canteen for school meals and for meetings with family members.
It is hoped that direct contact can be established and maintained between this school and local primaries in the UK.
Click here to view pictures of Orphanage at Santa Ana (Dili)
Primary school at Hera photos of development from 2014 to present.
The Servants of the Divine Word (SVD)
This international Religious Congregation has been present in East Timor for decades, principally in the field of education.
The Peter Trust was initially involved in helping to fund the establishment of an asrama or Boarding House in Baocnana (in the East Timorese enclave of Oecussi, in Indonesian West Timor). This was to enable teenagers from remote villages to attend Secondary School. Accommodation was provided in the first instance for about forty girls, and in due course for a growing number of boys. Residence in the asrama enabled the young people to develop social skills as well as to acquire some degree of computer literacy. The Trust helped with building costs, and also with the provision of computers, and of good sanitation facilities.
The success of this project encouraged the development of a similar enterprise in Uatolari in the south east of Timor Leste where about twenty girls are now accommodated. The Peter Trust contribution in this instance was limited to paying for the building of the asrama which is now in the care of Religious Sisters based in the locality.
The SVD were also entrusted by the Diocese of Dili with the maintenance and development of its Training College for Teachers of Religion (ICR) in Dili. The premises, especially the facilities for boarders (the majority of the students) became in urgent need of attention and the Peter Trust was able to fund the erection of a boundary (security) fence and the building of new dormitories with associated good sanitation.
Recently an appeal has been made by the SVD in Dili to the Trust for sponsorship of some of the poorest students at ICR but at the present time this is beyond the budget.
Click here to view SVD Asrama at Baocnana (Oecussi) and Uatolari
Click here to view SVD Asrama for boys in Oecussi in 2014 (for which Peter Trust helped to pay).
The Association of the Institute for Lay Missionaries (Asosiasi Lembaga Misionaris Awam - ALMA)
This Association of Religious Sisters and lay physiotherapists was founded by a Dutch missionary priest in Java, Indonesia, specifically for the care of people with physical disabilities and in support of their family/carers.
The ALMA Sisters moved into Timor Leste in 2004 since when their work has expanded, principally in Dili, but with some outreach beyond the city limits. A convent has been built for several of the religious, which includes facilities for the short term accommodation of a few handicapped youngsters with their parent/s. Physiotherapy is undertaken and taught, and emphasis is given to the innate dignity of those with physical difficulties - which can arise from accidents, illness, or congenital diseases. Visits are made by the ALMA Sisters to family homes as well offering instruction and encouragement in the Hostel itself. The Peter Trust made an annual contribution to the ALMA Sisters in support of their work from the time of their arrival in Dili until recently when other sources of funding have been made available to them.
Click here to view the Alma Sisters
The Light of Friendship (AHISAUN)
This Community of young people with physical disabilities was set up by an Indonesian priest of the East Timorese Diocese of Dili, Fr Adri Ola, in the year 2000. Since its foundation it has established a hostel in Dili for about fifteen residents at which several enterprises are undertaken by the disabled young people including a kiosk serving the neighbourhood, a small kitchen garden providing vegetables for the residents, a shoe repair shop, a computer suite in which the residents offer training in IT to able-bodied people from the locality, the manufacture of wafers for Holy Communion, and a Prayer Room in which intercessory prayer is offered for the needs of all who call with such a request. The Management of the Hostel is now in the charge of members.
A second hostel is being established at Manuleu (Metinaro) a township to the east of Dili on the north coast. Other facilities at the more distant locations of Cucua (Ermera), Airame (Ainaro), Betano (Same) and Hatubuiliko have been under consideration.
The Peter Trust has funded urgent plumbing and drainage works, and improved sanitation at the Dili Hostel, purchased musical instruments for the Ahisaun Band (which regularly plays at social functions in Dili), afforded some sponsorship of members to attend higher education facilities in Dili, and provided for the purchase of computers etc at the new Hostel at Manuleu.
The work of AHISAUN continues to expand and is in constant need of further financial and moral support.
The Society of Jesus (SJ) - Parish High School at Railaku
The Jesuits have long been providers of high quality education in East Timor. Many of the current national leadership were beneficiaries.
The Peter Trust support has been focused on the High School of Our Lady of Fatima (Nossa Senhora di Fatima - NOSSEF) in Railaku, where the Jesuits are also responsible for the local Parish and a Clinic (the Parish Priest is a qualified doctor).
The Trust funded the installation of solar panels which enabled classes to continue after sunset, and also serve local villagers, and to power sewing machines and computers, before mains supply was available (and even now, when it fails!).
The Peter Trust sponsors ten of the poorest students each year and has now witnessed the successful progression into work or higher education of two complete cohorts. Detailed reports of student activities and of their academic progress are provided. The standard of education is admirable.
Recently the Trust was able to part-fund the development of improved dormitory and toilet facilities. It is hoped that these facilities can be expanded to meet the needs of all the (300) students, most of whom are resident being far from their village homes.
SJ Parish High School, Our Lady of Fatima [NOSSEF], Railaku (2007-2017)