Sunday, March 18, 2007
It's almost a year
It's almost one year since I left East Timor abruptly. Bringing with me only few clothings, I thought I will stay in Bali for 2 weeks before returning. Never did I expect myself to stay out of the country for almost a year. Thanks to bloggers like Diligence and Tumbleweed and other news sources, I have been able to keep up with what's going on in Timor. Things are just as volatile as it was almost a year ago where the country was in a mess and it seems to have deteriorate. Whatever it is, I will be back one day and I will say "Hi!"to the children at Hope Orphanage again, and I will say "Hi!" to the students I have taught, and I will say "Hi!"to my friends who are there once again, and I will continue my life's journey in my beloved Timor once again. Atemanha!
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Something Good
About 2 weeks ago, I received some wonderful news from East Timor. I've had enough of depressing news of people getting killed almost every week in East Timor and this news really make my day. If you have read my previous post about 3 Timorese youth - Pete, Matt and Andy - guess what? They are all employed now.
Pete and Matt are now employed by WV in the child protection sector and Andy has started his own computer repair business in Baucau. I felt really so happy for them. That their persistence in staying on at WV to teach as volunteers and received further training had not gone unrewarded. One good thing that happened because of the unrest is that many NGOs have to expand and thus, have to employ more people. And I am so glad that many of the local youth who volunteered are now seeing the benefits of volunteering and are now employed. I can't wait to go back and shake hands with these guys and have a good long chat with them.
"For every bad situation, there is always something good. Positiveness is finding this good" ~ Jason Lee
Pete and Matt are now employed by WV in the child protection sector and Andy has started his own computer repair business in Baucau. I felt really so happy for them. That their persistence in staying on at WV to teach as volunteers and received further training had not gone unrewarded. One good thing that happened because of the unrest is that many NGOs have to expand and thus, have to employ more people. And I am so glad that many of the local youth who volunteered are now seeing the benefits of volunteering and are now employed. I can't wait to go back and shake hands with these guys and have a good long chat with them.
"For every bad situation, there is always something good. Positiveness is finding this good" ~ Jason Lee
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Brazilian Missionary Killed
When I receive the news, I felt so sad. My brazilian friend got it worse as he knew this missionary. I've met this missionary's sister before and she was the one who helped me arrange an appointment with Dr.Omar from Cuba to do a check on a suspected appendicitis. I felt so heavy and so burdened. I want to ask the question, "Why? Why him O Lord?" but I know that God knows better and all things are in His hands. Please pray for Elisama, Edgar's(the missionary) sister, and her family. That God will comfort them and give them His peace. May the Lord have mercy on the killers and may His love never stop flowing in Timor.
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Nai Jesus, ami hadomi o, ami hadomi Timor. Ami foti ami nia moris ba o tanba uluk o foti o nia moris ba ami. Ajuda ami hadomi ema Timor. Amen
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Nai Jesus, ami hadomi o, ami hadomi Timor. Ami foti ami nia moris ba o tanba uluk o foti o nia moris ba ami. Ajuda ami hadomi ema Timor. Amen
Friday, October 13, 2006
Talk to the gang leaders please
The situation in Dili has not gotten better. Sporadic outbreak of gang fights and violence still abound with mostly youth attacking each other with machete and those dreaded rocks. What is worse now is that gangs carry out random attacks as compared to selective ethic(east vs west) attacks in the past.
Foreigners are no longer 'immune' to attacks per se because even their cars got smashed up by rocks, even when they are inside. The gangs do not target foreigners but if you're unfortunately enough, a bored group of youth might want to burn some energy via your car.
Everyone knows that the gangs are controlled by some highly influential gang leaders. In some areas, there are not much violence/gang actitivities because the gang leaders warned their 'underlings' not to create any trouble. There are no reports of anyone from the government meeting up with these gang leaders nor are there any arrests made.
It is true that the president and prime minister are very busy at the moment but can someone tell them to go to the root of the problem? More policemen are good but that's not going to solve the problem. If the president or the prime minister or any influential govt.member would arrange to round up and meet the gang leaders, I am sure they will listen.
Not able to round them up for a peaceful talk? I don't think so. The Reinaldo case tells us how much each Timorese wants their country to be good and be proud of it, BUT right intentions can result in wrong actions as in the case of the rebel soldiers killing innocent soldiers, gangs fighting for 'no reason' etc.
So I plead again. Can somebody tell Maun Bot(President Xanana) and the Prime Minister, Ramos Horta about the need to talk to the gang leaders? Arresting a few 'underlings' will not solve anything.
Foreigners are no longer 'immune' to attacks per se because even their cars got smashed up by rocks, even when they are inside. The gangs do not target foreigners but if you're unfortunately enough, a bored group of youth might want to burn some energy via your car.
Everyone knows that the gangs are controlled by some highly influential gang leaders. In some areas, there are not much violence/gang actitivities because the gang leaders warned their 'underlings' not to create any trouble. There are no reports of anyone from the government meeting up with these gang leaders nor are there any arrests made.
It is true that the president and prime minister are very busy at the moment but can someone tell them to go to the root of the problem? More policemen are good but that's not going to solve the problem. If the president or the prime minister or any influential govt.member would arrange to round up and meet the gang leaders, I am sure they will listen.
Not able to round them up for a peaceful talk? I don't think so. The Reinaldo case tells us how much each Timorese wants their country to be good and be proud of it, BUT right intentions can result in wrong actions as in the case of the rebel soldiers killing innocent soldiers, gangs fighting for 'no reason' etc.
So I plead again. Can somebody tell Maun Bot(President Xanana) and the Prime Minister, Ramos Horta about the need to talk to the gang leaders? Arresting a few 'underlings' will not solve anything.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Greetings! Ola!
Hello all,
I'm back from the ship! This blog is now alive and kicking again. :)
Hau hakarak fila fali ba Timor Lorosae maibe agora hau la bele. Agora hau servisu iha Singapore. Favor ida halo orasaun mai hau atu bele fila fali ba Timor Lorosae. Ema Timor, hau hadomi o! Ate manha!
Friday, August 04, 2006
Oxfarm Australia Timor Leste Emergency Appeal
If you've missed out on the MILK Timor Leste Appeal donation, don't feel so bad about yourself. Here's another place for you to contribute to the people of Timor Leste(East Timor). Oxfarm Australia is a NGO that has been working in Timor Leste since 1999 and their website tells of their mission - "In Timor-Leste, Oxfam Australia works with communities to help reduce poverty and build a better life for people."
To find out more about what Oxfarm Australia do in Timor Leste, click here
To donate to Oxfarm's Timor Leste Emergency Appeal, click here
Don't miss out on giving this time round. The people in Timor Leste really need your help. And don't forget about the orphans in Hope Orphanage too.
To find out more about what Oxfarm Australia do in Timor Leste, click here
To donate to Oxfarm's Timor Leste Emergency Appeal, click here
Don't miss out on giving this time round. The people in Timor Leste really need your help. And don't forget about the orphans in Hope Orphanage too.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Hungry Timorese Youth: Pete, Matt and Andy
After seven months in East Timor working with youths, I caught a glimpse of some of the culture and passion of the youth in East Timor. There's always lots to mention. Here's one that inspires me.
Pete, Matt and Andy are 3 close friends from Baucau, the second largest 'city' in East Timor. After completing their diplomas in office skills, they could not find jobs and when they were offered an opportunity to be further trained in computer skills, they snapped it up. So I trained them on how to teach the students in basic computing skills such as MS word, excel, powerpoint and access, classroom management etc etc. What surprised me one day was that I realised they were not receiving anything for their training work, which means that they have to pay for their initial trip to Dili, rent a house/room to live in and pay for all other expenses such as food and transportation on their own. Where did they get their money from(since they are not getting paid)? Why would they want to leave their homes in Baucau to come to Dili for an informal training and work that they are not paid for?
These guys are not lazy as many think Timorese to be. They had big dreams and aspirations. To earn some pocket money, they decided to start a computer repair service in their rented house in Dili. Of cos it wasn't easy as they had no money to buy hardware parts and could only help troubleshoot or reinstall systems & programmes, earning themselves only very little money. Nonetheless, they carry on with it and often come to me for advice in troubleshooting more problematic problems. They had this insatiable hunger to learn more and to experiment and be successful in applying their skills.
Is this the reason why they left their homes and be willing to pay for their considerable expensive stay in Dili? Yes. It is this insatiable hunger for education and for wanting to learn and be successful. Not only for themselves, but for the society and for the country. How do I know? As Pete said, "You know, we do not know what is the future ahead for us. We are not receiving any pay now and we will run out of money soon. If we get nothing out of this training, how are we going to face our families when we go back home?" Needless to say, they borrowed from their families and relatives in order to stay in Dili for that period of time. Their hope was that with the more advanced training that they could received, they could work in the training centre or be given support in their mini business endeavours. Again, Pete looked at me worriedly and said, "I don't know what we're going to do after this." As you might have guess, there was little support. In such a poor nation, I thought it was a wonderful idea for graduates to come back to the centre to be trained as trainers so that they could work as trainers. But it was not to be so. There was no plans for that to happen nor was there any plan to employ(pay) them on a part time basis so as to ease their living expenses.
Is that the fault of the centre? Not exactly. When I looked at how the budget is stretched, it is really difficult to get anything for them. The most I could do was to bring them out for a good meal to thank them for their hard work assisting me in teaching my students. We can give a thousand and one reasons, or worse, a thousand and one criticisms on what could or should be done for East Timor, the youth, the community etc etc but until we understand them as who they really are, things will never get going. Youth like Pete, Matt and Andy are in desperate need of support - unconditional support - i.e. you might get nothing out of supporting them in their studies/work. This is one of the thing we need to understand(if we want to help them). Forget about checking who is more worthwhile to "invest" in. There's no such thing there and there is no need of it. There are enough desperate youth out there who needs your unconditional help.
These 3 young men really amazes me. They are willing to sacrifice their time, their energy and their money to learn; so as to have hope. To go beyond, to fulfill dreams and aspirations, to help their country. We who are in the so-called developed nations sacrifice our time, energy and money to help ourselves(not all) but in general, don't you really think so? I cannot imagine someone who is already poor will sacrifice their whole life(and savings) on education, something which we 'first-world' people will never do or should I say, have the opportunity to do so. Education is such a common thing in our society that it is taken for granted. Someone somewhere else in the world doesn't think so. They are hungry and they will not be satisfied until their lives, society and country changed for the better.
Hey Pete, Matt and Andy, I salute the three of you. It is only now when I looked back at what you said and your passion that I saw the real courage you guys have. Don't stop learning and don't give up your dreams. Live to fulfill it.
Maun Jason
*names of the 3 youth have been changed
Pete, Matt and Andy are 3 close friends from Baucau, the second largest 'city' in East Timor. After completing their diplomas in office skills, they could not find jobs and when they were offered an opportunity to be further trained in computer skills, they snapped it up. So I trained them on how to teach the students in basic computing skills such as MS word, excel, powerpoint and access, classroom management etc etc. What surprised me one day was that I realised they were not receiving anything for their training work, which means that they have to pay for their initial trip to Dili, rent a house/room to live in and pay for all other expenses such as food and transportation on their own. Where did they get their money from(since they are not getting paid)? Why would they want to leave their homes in Baucau to come to Dili for an informal training and work that they are not paid for?
These guys are not lazy as many think Timorese to be. They had big dreams and aspirations. To earn some pocket money, they decided to start a computer repair service in their rented house in Dili. Of cos it wasn't easy as they had no money to buy hardware parts and could only help troubleshoot or reinstall systems & programmes, earning themselves only very little money. Nonetheless, they carry on with it and often come to me for advice in troubleshooting more problematic problems. They had this insatiable hunger to learn more and to experiment and be successful in applying their skills.
Is this the reason why they left their homes and be willing to pay for their considerable expensive stay in Dili? Yes. It is this insatiable hunger for education and for wanting to learn and be successful. Not only for themselves, but for the society and for the country. How do I know? As Pete said, "You know, we do not know what is the future ahead for us. We are not receiving any pay now and we will run out of money soon. If we get nothing out of this training, how are we going to face our families when we go back home?" Needless to say, they borrowed from their families and relatives in order to stay in Dili for that period of time. Their hope was that with the more advanced training that they could received, they could work in the training centre or be given support in their mini business endeavours. Again, Pete looked at me worriedly and said, "I don't know what we're going to do after this." As you might have guess, there was little support. In such a poor nation, I thought it was a wonderful idea for graduates to come back to the centre to be trained as trainers so that they could work as trainers. But it was not to be so. There was no plans for that to happen nor was there any plan to employ(pay) them on a part time basis so as to ease their living expenses.
Is that the fault of the centre? Not exactly. When I looked at how the budget is stretched, it is really difficult to get anything for them. The most I could do was to bring them out for a good meal to thank them for their hard work assisting me in teaching my students. We can give a thousand and one reasons, or worse, a thousand and one criticisms on what could or should be done for East Timor, the youth, the community etc etc but until we understand them as who they really are, things will never get going. Youth like Pete, Matt and Andy are in desperate need of support - unconditional support - i.e. you might get nothing out of supporting them in their studies/work. This is one of the thing we need to understand(if we want to help them). Forget about checking who is more worthwhile to "invest" in. There's no such thing there and there is no need of it. There are enough desperate youth out there who needs your unconditional help.
These 3 young men really amazes me. They are willing to sacrifice their time, their energy and their money to learn; so as to have hope. To go beyond, to fulfill dreams and aspirations, to help their country. We who are in the so-called developed nations sacrifice our time, energy and money to help ourselves(not all) but in general, don't you really think so? I cannot imagine someone who is already poor will sacrifice their whole life(and savings) on education, something which we 'first-world' people will never do or should I say, have the opportunity to do so. Education is such a common thing in our society that it is taken for granted. Someone somewhere else in the world doesn't think so. They are hungry and they will not be satisfied until their lives, society and country changed for the better.
Hey Pete, Matt and Andy, I salute the three of you. It is only now when I looked back at what you said and your passion that I saw the real courage you guys have. Don't stop learning and don't give up your dreams. Live to fulfill it.
Maun Jason
*names of the 3 youth have been changed
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