PROJECT ‘Ossoluga’
13 June 2014
14 Teachers Visit Dili for 3 Days of Training
14 teachers from the Rural Schools Development Program’s schools (some coming from as far as 9 hours away) are in Dili for a 3 day training workshop. The course includes sessions on story telling, setting up a library, computer skills and science and maths. They’re also visiting the Resistance Museum and attending the premiere of a documentary about Kirsty Sword Gusmao. Total cost is approx US$2,000 and includes trainer fees, workbooks, children’s readers, USB’s, transport and meals over 3 days. This is all being funded by the fabulous people at the Rotary Club of Melbourne.
 
project: Lequeracabu'u East Timor, Lospalos East Timor, Macalaco East Timor, Maucale East Timor, Ossoluga, OSTICO EAST TIMOR, Seisal
30 April 2014
Beautiful Classroom with a View
This is from one of the major donors for Ossoluga High School who visited it recently:
“‘It’s a beautiful’ ‘room with a view’ is the thought that ran through my mind when I saw Ossologa school for the first time. Within seconds I was transformed from nearly shedding a few tears to being totally uplifted. It had been very emotional to see the students’ and community’s welcoming arch, until the school came into view. We were there for the final inspection, payment and handing over of the keys.
As we inspected the classrooms and staffroom, the teacher in me surfaced. I thought of the many rooms I had taught in over the years and how uplifting it is to teach in a pleasant one. I kept thinking how wonderful it would be to teach or learn in these rooms with their views of tree tops and the Matebians. As well, despite the day being hot and humid, it was so pleasant inside – the building’s design and siting allows capture of breezes and light.
When my attention turned to the walls I could only think of what a joy it would be to display students’ work on those large high walls. I’d really, really enjoy teaching in rooms like these.I can only imagine how fantastic it will be for students and teachers alike to switch from their dark, deteriorating rooms with their uneven, dusty earthen floors, palm frond walls and re-cycled metal roof to their beautiful school with a view. And switch they did that very afternoon.
Now there is an added impetus to do that long daily walk more regularly and for more years, to and from a school which is so beautiful. It must change some students’ lives. ”
 
project: Ossoluga
13 March 2014
Ossoluga High School Opens Next Week
We’re off to Timor next week for the official opening ceremony for Ossoluga High School – our new 3 classroom school in the mountains outside Baucau. The kids have been using it for a couple of months, but now that the rains have stopped and the village is accessible by car, we are going to open it officially and celebrate with the locals over roasted buffalo! We’ll also attend a ground-breaking ceremony at Sesal school where construction of the new 6 classroom school is about to start.
project: Ossoluga, Sesal
05 February 2014
Ossoluga High School is finished
Ossoluga High School is finished, with 3 classrooms and a teacher’s room! We’re planning an official opening ceremony for the end of March when the rains have stopped and the dirt roads up the mountain to the village are usable again. The children will be able to use it before then though, after a few final touches are done (including adding window mesh). Just as a reminder of what the school used to look like, I’ve attached a few “before” photos as well.
      
project: Ossoluga
02 November 2013
Ossoluga School is Looking Great
To get to Ossoluga school last Wednesday we drove 4.5 hours from Dili, along the narrow coastal road, crossing a river and then winding up a steep dirt mountain road. The views are spectacular and the new school is perched on the side of the mountain looking over the valley. The foundations and framing are in and the walls are going up. It’s a fabulous looking building and already I can see the improvements our pro-bono architect has made to the design. Tome the builder is employing 4 locals on the construction which is giving them new skills and an income. The contrast to the old windowless, dirt floored school only 50 m away is huge. The new school should be all finished within a month.
     
project: Ossoluga
|
