FPET News Archive 2005

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NEWS ARCHIVE 2005

December 2005

Assumption feastday procession with Mary's statue

This year's key celebration in Atabae Parish on the feastday of the Assumption (15 August) was a mass at Aidabeleten village preceeded by a procession featuring a statue of Mary

Church celebrations are major events in East Timor. As you could expect, Easter and Christmas are always well celebrated but this Christmas will be special in Atabae Parish because a second priest has just been appointed to work there. This will enable more villages to have their own local masses.

The picture opposite was taken in the mountain top village of Aidabeleten after three vehicles, including a truckload of people, travelled up from Atabae with the statue which can be seen on the right of the picture. After the formal, traditional welcome at the edge of the village (shown in the photo) by a village elder and girls who then danced and led the procession of people up to the village chapel for mass. This was followed by a simple village feast.

November 2005

Recent news from Atabae is that there has just been a rice harvest and they have enough rice but there is still a severe shortage of protein - no poultry in sight and fewer goats and pigs around than early in the year. Water is now the major crisis. They have had no decent rain for almost two years and the area is bone dry.

There have been several failed attempts to establish a new bore or well near the Atabae school in recent years. A new well dug in mid-year seemed successful for a while but then dried up so is now being dug deeper in the hope of gaining a reliable water supply. In the meantime a 17 km journey to a well in Biacou is undertaken daily to obtain water.

Water supply problems are widespread in the area as established systems were destroyed as the Indonesians withdrew. AusAID is now helping in a major project in collaboration with others to help solve the problems but it will obviously take time and substantial resources.

Atabae well

This photo of the new Atabae well was taken in August when the head work was nearing completion. The well is now being deepened to improve the supply.

Three members of FPET, Jim Johnson and Joel and Andrew Hodge, made a private visit to Atabae during the month. This allowed an inspection and review of projects, and discussion with Fr Marsellus on plans for the future, as well as enjoyable interaction with lots of the locals.

Fishermen tending their nets at the end of the day

Fish are an important part of the diet at Atabae, especially in dry times like now. Unfortunately even fish supplies seem to be reduced during drought times.

Salt for sale at Atabae market

Salt is also havested from the sea and is an important source of income for some locals in the seaside villages. This salt is being sold at the local Atabae weekly market but there seemed to be a lot more sellers than buyers.

Beach party

October 2005

Education and health remain the two top issues of concern for the people of Atabae and most if not all of East Timor. However, progress is being made and our efforts are showing worthwhile results.

We have almost closed the main gaps in primary school education in Atabae parish. The final stage of the Atabae primary school is scheduled for completion early next year and is expected to be our last involvement in school construction.

Atabae primary school

This photo shows the first stage of the Atabae primary school which is in use and soon to be matched by another similar building to conclude the construction of this new school.

After a number of delays, this clinic which we funded with a donation from students of the Ashgrove Marist College has now been completed and about to start operation on a part time basis.

Funding is now being provided to equip the Damlaran clinic and also for gas refrigerators in three other clinics. The refrigeration is essential to allow safe storage of vaccines for immunisation of infants. Infant mortality rates are falling but still unacceptably high in East Timor.

Damlaran Clinic

The now completed Damlaran clinic was not quite finished when this photo was taken in August.

September 2005

Nunudoi chapel

FPET has been funding the local people to build their own chapel at Nunudoi. It is already in use but the concrete floor is yet to be poured and quite a bit of finishing work is still needed. It is already proving to be a very useful community building as well as being their chapel.

radio in Nunudoi chapel

The new radio for inter-village communication has recently been installed in the back of the Nunudoi chapel. This is another valuable contribution to improving life in Nunudoi which is quite remote from major centres.

August 2005

ceiling damage from bullets

Much of the damage from the violence in 1999 has now disappeared in East Timor but reminders are still visible, especially in the poorer village communities. I have visited this house on both my visits to East Timor and both times I have left with two impressions. The main impression is the hospitality and sprituality of the residents and the other is a sense of wondering how terrible it must have been for them on the day these bullet holes were put in the ceiling of their house.

bullet holes in concrete walls

The East Timorese people are moving on optimistically to build a better life with their independence and putting their past behind them as much as possible but as a visitor you cannot help but notice sights like the bullet holes marking the walls of this house which had its roof burnt off during the violence of 1999. The people of this village virtually all moved to West Timor for about two years to survive the violence. The locals are now planning to restore this house to accommodate a teacher and his family so he can live nearer the school.

July 2005

WINNER OF THE 2005 ANZAC PEACE PRIZE
Friends and Partners with East Timor received this prestigious national award from the Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) for "the provision of a range of partnership activities aimed at assisting the rehabilitation and restoration of community spirit and values in East Timor, through reciprocal visits, direct assistance, friendship and infrastructure provision".

Award presentation

FPET President Jim Johnson on left with RSL State President Bill Mason who formally presented the 2005 ANZAC Peace Prize award to Deacon Gary Stone on behalf of FPET.

The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) announced the awarding of the 2005 ANZAC Peace Prize to Friends and Partners with East Timor' (FPET) in Canberra on Anzac Day. A number of our members joined with RSL members at the RSL Brisbane headquarters on 13 July for the formal presentation of this prestigious award for "the provision of a range of partnership activities aimed at assisting the rehabilitation and restoration of community spirit and values in East Timor, through reciprocal visits, direct assistance, friendship and infrastructure provision".

The Award Certificate states that the award has been given "in recognition of an outstanding Australian achievement which has promoted the concept of international understanding and which, in so doing, has made a contribution to world peace in accordance with the best traditions exemplified by ANZAC".

June 2005

The big news from the last month is the installation of a network of village radios to provide basic communication in the area. It is expected to assist especially in times of serious illness and other emergencies. It is also expected to assist in routine communication on health, education and other issues throughout the area. More information on this project supported by FPET but organised by Connect East Timor can be obtained from the Connect East Timor website via the link at the end of the May news below.

Work has progessed further with the new Atabae primary school and plans are now in hand to complete the second and final stage of the new school complex. The Aidabeleten villagers are also poised ready to commence building their school as soon as the building materials are delivered. The purchase and delivery of these materials is now in progress and this new school should also be ready by the start of the next school year in September.

Atabae radio in use

Joana Ferreira da Silva making the first radio call from Atabae on 19 May 2005. Over 80% of the East Timorese have yet to make a call by radio or telephone.

May 2005

children

There is so much that can be done to help ensure a better future for the children of East Timor - can you help or do you know of others that may be able to volunteer to work in the Atabae subdistrict?

In late April we got a call from Nick and Jane Eager to say that they would have to give up on their intended plan to stay in Atabae for two years as Jane is now expecting a baby. Since then, Nick and Jane have had to return to Australia even sooner than first anticipated so Jane could receive appropriate medical attention. We are all very pleased for them that they are starting their own family. We also share their disappointment that they cannot continue but we are very grateful for what they had achieved already during their three months at Atabae. See our May 2005 newsletter for more of the latest news.

Connect East Timor volunteers are visiting Atabae this month to install two-way radios in seven villages as a pilot for a national rural radio communications network. This has the potential to save many lives and overcome the almost total lack of modern communication systems in the rural areas of East Timor. FPET has contributed towards the cost of this pilot project. More information is available on the Connect East Timor website.

April 2005

The first two months of Nick and Jane Eager's time in Atabae have been taken up largely with settling in, learning the local languages and generally getting familiar with the people and their surroundings. It takes a while for anyone to adjust to the very different conditions in East Timor.

This month has been a busy one for Nick and Jane as they continue to develop their language skills and start to take up their roles in the community. Jane has started working in the Atabae clinic and Nick has been busy building relationships with key people and preparing to get some more construction underway.

Click on this link to share their April letter. It will help you understand the conditions they are experiencing at Atabae.

New Well

Nick Eager checking out a new well being developed to supply water for the Atabae school, boarding houses and presbytery

March 2005

Gathering for mass and celebration

A small part of the crowd gathering for the mass and celebration including the Papal Nuncio from Jakarta, the Bishop of Dili Diocese, a visiting American bishop and some of the many priests attending.

The concelebrated mass

The concelebrated mass which was the central part of the celebration.

Although Atabae has been operating much like an independent parish for some years it was only on 19 March that Atabae was officially inaugurated as a separate parish. Previously it was part of the Balibo Parish although it operated relatively independently. The day was a great event which was attended by over 1,000 people from throughout much of the Bobonaro district and beyond. Official visitors included the Papal Nuncio from Jakarta, the Bishop of Dili Diocese, a visiting American bishop and many priests. Here are some of the first photos of the day that we have received. Despite their difficulties the East Timorese have a very strong sense of community and put great effort into community and family celebrations.

Fr Marsellus Baonule SVD with reporters

The Parish Priest, Fr Marsellus Baonule SVD was very busy beforehand and during this major event. He is shown here talking with media representatives.

February 2005

Through PALMS Australia we are now supporting a husband and wife team who have volunteered to live and work in the Atabae community for two years from February 2005. The Atabae community identified health as the top priority for assistance by volunteers when consulted for their priorities. They are working mainly on improving health services but also assist with youth and a range of FPET project issues. Most of all they provide us with a much improved link with the communities of Atabae Parish and others in East Timor.

This month, the couple, Nick and Jane Eager, are busy settling into the Atabae community. Jane is a qualified nurse and Nick is also qualified in Health Science. Both will be working with local health clinic staff to improve health services and community health. Nick will also be working with local youth and helping with organisation of FPET projects.

Nick and Jane Eager at kindergarten

Here is the couple, Nick and Jane Eager, visiting the local kindergarten soon after arriving in Atabae. Education for children of all ages is another major concern for the people living in this area.

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