Heading north to foster ongoing Atauro Islander friendships

A cohort of eleven local supporters helping to make a difference to lives of Timor Leste’s Atauro Islanders has embarked on a trip to the island this week. Group members are mainly from Indigo Shire Atauro Island Friendship Inc with its long-time commitment to support the small community of 10,000 people. The island is located about 30 kilometres north of Timor-Leste’s capital of Dili across the Wetar Strait. The friendship group’s president Libby Hosking said visits continue friendships with Atauro islanders while this year’s group is staying for a week. Among projects supported from many fundraisers and donations are education with scholarships and composting toilets. “We have 11 students presently studying who we will meet and see how they are going,” Libby said. The president said 40 Islanders have received support with scholarships since the friendship group began. “We offer two funded scholarships every year one each for a female and a male with successful applicants undertaking either university or vocational education," she said. “Education is the fundamental foundation of every community. “It's also knowledge and we help people build capacity to be self-sufficient with good working relationships in their communities. “It also builds self-sufficient capacity of Timor too as it’s a developing country, “For example, if students train as a nurse or a health care worker, they contribute to the health of the country as a whole." Libby said one young man studied agriculture and is back on his farm implementing what he learned into practice. “We have several nurses on the island, a laboratory assistant who's working as a volunteer at the clinic, a teacher, and young man training to be a doctor,” she said. Among others but not least are civil engineers. The group will also meet with the president of the authority for Atauro Island, and directors for both education and health. They will also meet with the women’s cooperative Boneca de Atauro and check on composting toilet projects for sanitation with four built this year. Friendship member Lesley Milne said items such as scissors, good quality felt and other fabric will be taken to Boneca with some of their creations purchased to bring back and sell at fundraising events and local markets. The friendship group will also fund a new treadle sewing machine. Libby said a number of Beechworth hockey sweaters no longer used are being taken for team outfits as well as some soccer uniforms. Long time supporter of the friends group, Kylie Stephens, has helped with fundraising efforts as well as being a financial contributor. Travelling to Atauro Island for the first time, Kylie said she is looking forward to meeting some of the students and experiencing Atauro Island. Libby said their journey is self-funded. “All fundraising money goes towards health and education projects,” she said. An official memorandum of understanding (MOU) was originally signed in 2008 with Indigo Shire Council and Atauro Island authorities. Indigo Shire Atauro Island Friendship Inc formed from then to help develop relationships with Atauro Island.

Heading north to foster ongoing Atauro Islander friendships

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