PROJECT ‘Seisal’
22 October 2014
Did we introduce a new sport to Timor?
Soccer balls are always popular with the boys at the schools, but we wanted to take something that would be great for the girls as well. So I packed 50 long skipping ropes to take with me this trip. Asha (12), Imogen (14) and Isobel (16) pulled them out wherever we were and started skipping. It took no time for the local kids to join in and they loved it. People who have spent a lot of time in Timor say they’ve not seen skipping ropes there before – certainly not in places as remote as Ossoluga. It was great fun for everyone.
      
project: Ossoluga, Seisal
14 October 2014
Seisal School is Open
After a dusty, but stunning 4 hour drive from Dili, we arrived at Seisal school last Friday morning.
The two new school buildings are spectacular. Our pro-bono architect Richard Briggs has added features like high ceilings, huge windows and large verandah for little cost, but massive impact. Elvino (the builder) has delivered a building that is of fabulous quality and built to last. And then there is the beautiful basketball and volleyball court which everyone adores and was the centre of the opening ceremony. It will act as the heart of village occasions from now on. The community put on an amazing celebration, dances, songs and speeches followed by a painstakingly prepared meal featuring buffalo. It would be the best meal the villagers eat all year. Spend it Well always provides $500 for the ceremonies, but at Seisal another $600 was contributed by the community, the teachers and the parents.
Everyone seemed to understand my speech in basic Tetum (or at least pretended very kindly that they did).
There was no doubt that the 12, 14 and 16 year old girls who came with us were the stars of the show as far as the local kids were concerned. And we think they may have introduced a new sport to Timor-Leste. More to follow on that!
  
   
project: Seisal
07 October 2014
Off to East Timor Today
We have a fabulous weekend ahead with opening ceremonies for Ossoluga High School and Seisal Primary School on Friday and Saturday. My 12 year old daughter Asha and I head off for Timor today along with other donors and some of their children – we have 16, 14 and 9 year old girls coming along as well. The latest photos from Seisal look great although the team in Timor are so happy with the result that they’re holding back the finished photos so that we can see the school in its full glory when we arrive on Friday. The basketball court is finished as well – apparently kids are on it waiting for the first glimmers of light each morning and only leave when it’s too dark to see a thing.
We are taking boxes and boxes of school supplies and heaps of footballs and skipping ropes.
More updates to follow over the next few days.
project: Seisal
03 September 2014
Basketball and Volleyball Court for Seisal School?
A sports loving supporter who visited Seisal school last year, has offered to try to raise the money to build a basketball and volleyball court for the school. The court would be concrete with full foundations and be set up with all the equipment for both sports. The only area the kids currently have for sport is a rocky, uneven field in front of the school where they play football. This would be incredible for the school’s 360 kids and the whole community. Hard to think of a way to make 360 kids happier!
  
project: Seisal
14 August 2014
Elvino building the kids a fabulous school at Seisal
Our builder Elvino has been working with us since the beginning and believes in what we’re doing. He always goes the extra mile with his work as you can see from these latest progress photos.
    
project: Seisal
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