PROJECT ‘OSTICO EAST TIMOR’
19 May 2010
A note from Graham in East Timor
Well, I’ve arrived in Dili and had a wonderful opportunity of meeting an extraordinary bunch of people focused in making a difference in various ways for the good of the country and the East Timorese. Hearing about the various projects and initiatives underway whether in justice, procurement, health, educations and nation building is quite eye opening and inspiring. Simon has been introducing me around generously with his time and enthusiasm. We are planning to turn the first sod next Tuesday.
 Sunset & Rainbow project: Lequeracabu'u East Timor, OSTICO EAST TIMOR
04 February 2010
Playing field for Ostico
Elvino, who built the school for us, has been working with the villagers to prepare a quote for the materials they will need to build a basic volleyball and basketball court. The villagers will do the work themselves, with the help of a local Padre who is in charge of a technical school. For children who haven’t even had soccer balls to chase around the rocky ground, and nothing other than burnt out buildings to climb on, a sporting field will be fantastic.
project: OSTICO EAST TIMOR
25 July 2009
Leaving Timor
Timorese legend has it that if you drink the milk of a coconut in Timor you will come back. I didn’t drink any coconut milk, but I will be back. I have loved the friendliness of the people who have endured horrific events over the last 30 years and are now one of the world’s poorest nations. I’ve loved the beautiful coastline and the fact that the basic huts and houses I’ve seen are cleaner and tidier than any house I’ve ever kept. I’ve loved the children and their incredible thirst to learn and the fact that the East Timorese know that education is a vital part of the way forward for them. I am hopeful that with the great support from Kirsty Sword Gusmao and the time and effort from people like Simon, Jenny and Agostinho there is a lot that Spend it Well can do here to give children a chance in life with a proper education.
project: OSTICO EAST TIMOR
23 July 2009
Zoe… Asha…. Leah….
Bruce, Simon and I went back to Ostico School today. The children weren’t in school (I think an unofficial holiday had been declared to clean up after the previous days’ events). It was great to have time to wander around and properly look at the school. Everything was a bit of a blur from the day before. As we were leaving, I remembered I’d brought a picture of my 3 daughters. I pulled it out and held it up to show a few children who were around me. Within 30 seconds a huge crowd of children had gathered to look. I pointed to my oldest daughter and said “Zoe” – then to my surprise all the children repeated after me in one voice “Zoe…”. I pointed to my other two daughters and said “Asha” and then “Leah” and they repeated their names back to me in the same way. It was wonderful. I was about to put the photo away, then changed my mind and gave it to a little girl next to me. Her eyes opened as wide as saucers and she took the photo and took off at a sprint, with several children chasing her. I like to think of her keeping that photo of my girls in a hidden spot and pulling it out to look at them.
project: OSTICO EAST TIMOR
22 July 2009
The official opening!
I had no real idea what to expect of the school opening. But it was an incredible day.
Stephen and I travelled to Ostico with Kirsty – it was wonderful to have so long to talk to someone like her. We travelled along the coast for a lot of the way, past beautiful white sandy beaches with perfect blue water. Just before the town of Baucau, we turned inland and drove for about 20 minutes along a single lane, rutted, dirt road.
We drove past some very basic huts and houses and arrived at the school to see 350 children in two lines from littlest to biggest all standing waiting for us. We walked up between them and they started clapping – very hard not to start crying at that stage! They’d erected a shade structure for the day with bamboo poles and palm fronds and had seats for us and all the people there to watch. There were speeches from the Education Minister, Kirsty and me…. then they presented us with the woven scarfs called “tais”. They have our names on them and apparently take the local ladies a month to make each.
Kirsty and I cut the ribbon and then there were lots of dances and songs from the children which they’d written specially for the day, to thank us. The word I kept hearing was “abrigadu” which means “thank you” in Tetum.
After that we had lunch (the builder had donated a buffalo!) which I’m told would be the best meal the villagers have all year.
Things relaxed a bit after lunch and we were able to wander around among the children. We gave all the books and the soccer balls and skipping ropes to the principal (a very impressive lady who has the kids jumping when she speaks).
The kids loved the balls and skipping ropes and the books are now the first of any books in the school. We are doing a bit of work to make a mini library in one of the extra buildings with some cushions and a rug to sit on and arranging some training for the teachers. Once that is done the government will be able to provide local language books to go with our books.
The school itself looks wonderful. There are now 4 beautiful looking classrooms and the tin building (now insulated, ventilated and with a verandah added) is being used for a library, for the teachers to work in and for lunches.
It was quite strange being the centre of attention. I think everyone is still rather bemused as to why these strangers from the other side of the world decided to help build a school in their little village. I am glad we did – it was an extraordinary day.
project: OSTICO EAST TIMOR
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