Avenida de Liberdade de Imprensa, Kuluhun

Tel: (+670-390) 321030, Mobiles:, 0417-886792, 0409-193242

Email: apsctl@easttimor.minihub.org, website: www.apscTimor.org

PO Box 35 Dili Timor Lorosa’e

NGO Registration no. 05

ASIA PACIFIC SUPPORT COLLECTIVE WITH

ASIA PACIFIC SUPPORT COLLECTIVE

TIMOR-LESTE

supporting grassroots initiatives in East Timor

BIENNIAL REPORT 2000/2001

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Glossary

APSC Asia Pacific Support Collective APSCTL Asia Pacific Support Collective Timor-Leste ASEA Rehab Australian and South East Asian Rehabilitiation AusAID Australian Agency for International Development AVI Australian Volunteers International CIDA Canadian International Development Agency CIIR Catholic Institute for International Relations CivPol Civilian Police (International Police working in East Timor) CNRT National Council of Timorese Resistance CV Curriculum Vitae CYDP Child Youth Development Project DFID Department For International Development - from Britain DFO District Field Officer ETWAVE East Timorese Women and children against Violence and

Exploitation FALINTIL Forcas Armadadas de Libertacão de Timor Leste – armed wing of

the Timorese resistance FKFTL Fundasaun Kna'ar Feto Timor Lorosae (East Timorese Women’s

Work Foundation) IKFET Industri Kiik Fetolast Timor (small industry for Timorese women) –

a sewing cooperative IOM International Organization for Migration JICA Japanese International Co-operation Agency MHR Member of House of Representatives (Australia) MYOB Mind Your Own Business – a computer accounting package NGO Non Government Organisation NSW New South Wales – a state of Australia OMT Organisacão Mulher de Timor – established in 1998 to work with

CNRT OPMT Organisacão Popular Mulher de Timor – women’s group which

operated clandestinely from 1975 PALMS originally Paulian Association Lay Missionary Service, but now

People in Animation, Liberation and Moving to Solidarity in local and global communities

PAS Prontu Atu Serbi (Ready to Work) - a health clinic PKF Peace Keeping Forces QIP Quick Impact Projects run by UN agencies RDTL Republica Democratica Timor Leste Rp Rupiah SBS Special Broadcasting Service (multicultural TV in Australia) Tais Hand woven material made by East Timorese women TEPS Transitional Engagement for Population Support TB Tuberculosis TNI Tentara Negara Indonesia (Indonesian Armed Forces) TVTL Television Timor Lorosa’e UN United Nations UNHCR United Nations High Commission for Refugees UNTAET United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor USAid United States Agency for International Development

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Asia Pacific Support Collective (APSC) & Asia Pacific Support Collective Timor Leste

Report for 2000 and 2001

Brief Overview: What do we do?

In Dili, East Timor help write funding proposals and link projects to appropriate potential funding

agencies give English language, computer and driving lessons link skilled international volunteers to suitable local NGOs provide a referral and introduction service for international individuals and

organisations in particular to women’s, students’ and media NGOs provide specialist computer, mobile phone (and other equipment) support give support to East Timorese small business enterprise compile lists of resources available in East Timor give visa and travel support assist the implementation of media training programs co-ordinate arts exchanges train and mentor Timorese women and youth at our office in computer usage, English

and NGO operations. arrange for Timorese to attend international conferences provide email and fax access to Timorese NGOs assist Timorese planning to study in Australia provide support to East Timorese returning to their homeland after absences provide information resources including Books, magazines, videos and photographs have a mobile team which works in Suai, Manatuto, Baucau and Ermera, helping

with capacity building, income generation projects and sourcing necessary resources and funding for local people especially women

provide documentation services for project activities using video and digital camera. In Darwin, Australia provide accommodation for visiting East Timorese students and NGO workers organise travel arrangements provide logistical support to Timorese organisations and Dili operations secure donations of cars, computers, software, mobile telephones and other

communications equipment, stationery, books, tools, household equipment, clothes, funds etc, and freight these resources to Dili

provide accurate and current briefings to international organisations, aid agencies, journalists and individuals planning to operate in East Timor

assist the establishment of a viable independent media set up email accounts for East Timorese NGOs plan and execute community arts exchange projects

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Background to the Establishment of APSC

Who are we?

The Asia Pacific Support Collective was conceived during conversations between Australian activists Ilana Eldridge, Sam de Silva, Jude Conway and Chalida Tajaroensuk from Forum Asia in Bangkok, after visits to Dili post referendum August 1999 and seeing a city with most of its homes and all of its infrastructure destroyed. We all had a long connection with and deep understanding of the historical, political, cultural and social realities of the Timorese struggle for independence. We decided we wanted to start an organisation which would support grass roots developments, projects and initiatives in the Asia Pacific region, beginning with helping civil reconstruction in East Timor and we planned to extend support to West Papua, Aceh and other deserving areas. Another reason for starting APSC was to enable the activist community in Darwin (and its extended network) to transform their political activities into practical support. However limits on resources and personnel as well as the daily challenges in East Timor mean that our work was well and truly cut out for us in only one country. None of us were prepared for the extent of patience and problem solving abilities we would need over the next 2 years. The name Asia Pacific Support Collective was registered in the Northern Territory, Australia on 12th January 2000 and the process of incorporating as a non-profit association continued slowly over the year with the help of secretary Geoff Etches, before official incorporation was finalized on 22 December 2000 with the following objects: 1. To assist and empower grassroots communities, organisations and individuals within the Asia Pacific region to: a) create a just, humane, equitable and responsible society, and, b) participate meaningfully and at all levels in their own governance. 2. Source funding, information, goods and materials for use by these communities, organisations, individuals and the Association (APSC). 3. Promote and facilitate cultural and artistic pursuits. 4. Assist with the production of education materials and programs. 5. Provide support in the use of modern technologies. 6. Promote and facilitate sustainable community income generation schemes. 7. Link international organisations and individuals with local communities and organisations. 8. Promote and support independent media. 9. Lobby for improved regional relationships.

As well as Geoff being secretary, APSC also had Public Officer Ray Hayes, treasurer Jude Conway, and committee members Ilana Eldridge, Lee Kirk, Rob Wesley-Smith and Emma King. (See Appendix 1 for brief CVs of staff and Management Committee)

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Pre-Funding: December 1999 to March 2000 Before major funding became available, APSC had commenced working in East Timor with practical assistance as outlined below: a) Dili Ilana Eldridge, an ex ABC journalist, along with Sonny Inbaraj the media officer from the East Timor International Support Centre, stayed at the emerging offices of magazine Talit@kum and newspaper Lalenok on regular visits to Dili. By donating a small car, mattresses, medicines and stationery and paying for accommodation and bringing other journalists eg Sam da Silva to stay, they helped the Timorese journalists and their families to work and eat. In December 1999 Ilana and Sonny organized a media training workshop funded by USAid and Ilana gave a presentation on radio journalism, media monopolization and government interference in Australian media.

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In January after resigning from the East Timor International Support Centre Jude Conway compiled a comprehensive list of international organisations based in Dili which provide physical, practical and/or financial support to Timorese NGOs This was translated into Tetun and distributed by the NGO Forum. She assisted several organisations with preparing funding proposals and finding funding, helped individuals with applications for loans, use of land and to start small businesses, helped with problems with equipment where the manuals are in English and when parts or materials are needed from Darwin (see p22 for full list of NGOs assisted).

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Jude assisted Sharon Scharfe then with UNTAET Protocol to organise a meeting between UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and some of the most active women in East Timor. (Domingas Alves, Laura Abrantes, Maria Dias, Mena Rais, Olandina Cairo, etc) Jude provided contact details and/or arranged introductions. Also she suggested that Mrs Annan visit the Timor Aid sewing factory managed by Ofelia Napoleo which proved a profitable link for the factory.

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On request from Jose Antonio Belo APSC attempted to provide some support to the family of guerrilla leader David Alex who had been captured with Jose Belo in 1997 and murdered by the TNI. An application was written to the UNTAET Staff Small Grants Fund for assistance but no reply was ever received. A request for help went out over the East Timor news group which resulted in a small amount of donations. Jude was able to introduce Alereco Napoleao, David’s only son to Jose Ramos-Horta which resulted in some generous assistance. Alereco later showed Jude where David Alex is supposed to be buried – in a cemetery near the beach at Bidau-Santana in Dili in an unmarked grave. Alereco asked APSC to help try and find out what happened to his father but because of language problems and being told by Jose Belo that efforts had already been made which were hampered by conflicts between different members of the family we decided that we could not assist.

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Jude also provided assistance to Timorese individuals with establishment of businesses eg road building, applications for bank loans, and applications to UNTAET for permission to use of buildings.

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Sam da Silva gave crucial support with setting up of computer systems and email, installing programs, configuring equipment etc for various NGOs including independent media, students groups and women's organisations. Seeing the ongoing need for such support Sam worked with three Timorese men skilled at computer systems support and assisted them to create their own organisation and receive funding from USAid. Sam trained several Timorese journalists in the use of digital technology and software. He also played a crucial advocacy role between Timorese journalists and the UNTAET Public Information Office, assistance which greatly advanced understanding and engagement. Sam returned to Australia in March 2000 to continue work on his doctoral thesis but still gives computer advice and identifies useful, skilled volunteers to come and assist through the APSC, NGOs in East Timor.

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b) Darwin Ilana Eldridge with some assistance from committee member Emma King, set up the Darwin office and played a logistical role, arranging travel for Timorese and internationals, hosting visiting Timorese students, providing official support to enable visas for East Timorese returnees, purchasing necessary communications equipment and sending to Dili. Ilana briefed journalists, interested individuals and organisations about the current situation in Timor and facilitated linkages with Timorese and Australian organisations and individuals in the spheres of education, business and science.

********** Because of these activities In March 2000 APSC was successful in an application for funding to the British Department For International Development (DFID), to set up an office in Dili and employ three international staff for six months. This was fortunate because we could barely keep up with requests for our services. Another activist, Lee Kirk, was recruited as the third international staff member. We bought an old 4-wheel drive, a Honda motorbike, a stack of office stuff and shipped them to Dili with Rooney’s shipping ready to set up shop. APSC’s Honda Jackeroo

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Building a Presence in East Timor April to June 2000

A search began to find a building that did not need too much renovation. Through a Timorese-Australian friend we found a house on the main road in Kuluhun which although riddled with termites, needing many repairs and with a badly leaking roof was chosen as our base because it was the best of a limited choice. The rental agreement gave us the first 6 months free in exchange for renovations. This proved difficult because we agonized for months over what termite treatment to use and how to get it to Dili and how to spray it…. and of course no other repairs could be done until the termites were treated. Thanks to committee member Rob Wesley-Smith for finally facing the risk of crawling over the rotten rafters to spray the poison (only nearly fell through the roof once) and for spearheading the leaking roof problems (though unfortunately never totally conquered).

********** So this office formed the headquarters from which our staff and volunteers worked to support Timorese controlled initiatives and projects. Jude at the time was staying at Bairo Pite at the home of the Sequeira family and Beba S. and cousin Edith Neto declared they would work with us so on our first day of operations from the office 10 April 2000 we started with Ilana, Jude and Lee Kirk on the princely sum of AUD150 each per week while we managed to pay Beba and Edith AUD50 even though we did not have funding for local staff wages in our budget. Soon after another friend brought his sisters Teresa and Leo Barros to the office to help out, Antonio da Conceicao asked us to train his sister-in-law Ilda Camoes and Beba’s younger sister Titi Amaral also joined our volunteer staff. So Jude began training and mentoring these women in NGO operations even though she only had basic Indonesian and they had basic or no English. Surprising what you can manage to communicate when sharing activities.

********** With our funding we had the luxury of being able to organize an international phone line through Telstra. we were told on connecting the phone –sorry we don’t know what the rates are yet but it will be as though you are in Darwin so Jude spent many hours online to APSC’s Darwin Internet provider scouring the web for funding bodies for future projects. It wasn’t until a few months later that we discovered the rate to phone to Darwin from Dili was USD.25 per minute!! Telstra said they had to transmit to a satellite in Perth which then transmitted to Sydney which finally made it to Darwin. If we had phoned USA it would have cost 30c a minute. Rather upsetting at the time having to use so much of our precious funding to pay an Australian company for the phone bill when we had been misled about the rates.

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Still we did enjoy the luxury of having email connection and a few individuals and NGO members would drop in to check their email before the NGO Forum had their Internet café setup. We soon realized the necessity of having our own fax machine after one staff member was kicked out of Timor Aid for trying to send a fax and this was also used by other NGOs. Unfortunately of course out of action whenever the electricity went out – a common occurrence which required an ongoing supply of candles, torch batteries (Indonesian batteries are unbelievably short-lived) lamp oil, cigarette lighters –all of which refused to stay in any one spot so they could be found in the dark. Mobile phones are the favored form of communication in Timor. In 2000 only Dili was covered except for Baucau airport and some spots in Suai town at night. Timorese

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brought mobile phones as a priority if they were earning a wage but of course to set up the Sim card or register a recharge card they needed help from us English speakers. International staff started to run away when they saw someone with a mobile phone and a card in their hand. There were problems with Telstra’s recharge system and it would take call after call after call before the card would register.

********** APSC assisted with the travel and visa requirements for the return of a Timorese, Jose Pereira, who had been studying in the Philippines. From then on he was a good friends to APSC, interpreting and translating often as he has excellent English skills. He used APSC as a resource centre when he came in from Liquica to Dili to arrange further study.

********** Soon after commencing operations we heard that the NGO Forum was offering NGO Management training for local NGOs. APSC was a registered International NGO so not eligible. Jude was keen for the APSC local staff to take advantage of this training so suggested to the at 4 women that they form their own NGO – APSC Timor Leste. They agreed and this was done though not without some debating with Arsenio Bano then director of the Forum about the validity of having 2 NGOs. Consequently Beba, Edith, Leo and Teresa were joined by Beba’s sister Titi and all attended the 2 weeks training course which was able to give them some background info to what an NGO was all about and also give them the opportunity to network and receive a certificate! Since then APSCTL has grown in strength as a local women’s NGO.

********** One of the aims of APSC had been “to teach women to drive”. These words take a few seconds to say but the reality of teaching someone to manage the chaotic potholed road conditions in Dili where ex-clandestine members now get their adrenalin rush by taking risks on their motorbikes and the frightening narrow windy cliff roads outside of Dili is another matter indeed. Jude had declared herself unavailable to teach driving because she knew she did not have the cool calm attitude for it but ended up being drawn in by the unavailability of other teachers. By the end of 2000 we had only managed to have 2 staff driving in Dili.

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Through family contacts Beba had spoken to Senhora Katolica in Ermera about APSC. The Senhora had been in existence for many years helping the poor in the area and assisting the local priest. So we drove the windy road north up the mountain to the coffee growing district of Ermera where we attended a meeting with about 30 of these mainly shy village women. When Beba told them we had been activists for East Timor Jude, Edith and Beba at meeting in Ermera they burst into spontaneous applause which was very heart-warming for us. This began a long-standing working relationship (see list of NGOs assisted).

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Ilana worked intensively particularly with PAS Clinic. PAS stands for Prontu atu Serbi which means Ready to Serve. It is a health facility that began as a clandestine clinic in 1996 to treat wounded Falintil soldiers and rape victims. PAS founders, Alex Gusmao

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and Maria Dias approached APSC in early 2000 asking if we could help them re-establish. Then, PAS had no funds at all, a dilapidated clinic building and another which was burnt out. Soon after this two Sydney volunteers Adam Nelson and Kerry Nettle came to work with APSC. Adam a graduate and a carpenter wrote a proposal and arranged funding from CARE towards the restoration of a building for PAS for use as a surgery, pharmacy and accommodation for visiting professionals eg ASEA Rehab – Australian surgeons who do elective and reconstruction work in Timor.

Adam begged tools, equipment and building supplies from other organisations and started work on this building which had no doors, no wiring or plumbing and needed tiling and all the finishing work. At the end of his 11 week stint in East Timor Ilana took over as construction manager and after unsuccessful attempts to persuade Australian contractors to help in their spare time the Commanding Officer of the Kenyan PKF (Peace Keeping Forces) who was looking for humanitarian work for his engineers, offered to finish the job. The Kenyans had developed excellent rapport with the Timorese people and many had learned Tetun. They were struck with the similarities between Timorese village life and that which they had left behind in Kenya. people and many had learned Tetun. The engineers arrived with a large truck, lots of bottled water, packets of cranberry juice and everyday at lunchtime vast quantities of meaty soup and rice, which was often shared among the neighbourhood kids who visibly gained weight. The clinic building was finished in about 4 months. The Kenyans enjoyed working at the clinic and took time to do an excellent job. Ilana also arranged donations of equipment, medicines, crutches, text books, x-ray machine, dentists chair, cupboards, clothes, stationery, sheets, towels and cash.

Adam Nelson and Atoi repairing PAS clinic

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The other volunteer Kerry Nettle (later the Green Party senator for NSW) took over the 3 night a week English classes that we were running at the APSC office for women from FKFTL – the East Timorese Women’s Work Foundation. She also assisted two members of the Student Solidarity Council to attend summer school at Oslo University in Norway and with logistics for Teresa and Leo’s brother Benny to go to Sydney to study English for academic purposes as a forerunner to doing his Masters of Law at NSW University. Unfortunately Kerry caught a bad case of malaria and her 3 month volunteer stint finished early when she was forced to go home to recuperate. She was still able to assist Benny later by arranging his accommodation while he was in Sydney.

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In June APSC (Ilana in Dili, APSC’s long-time collaborators Vaughan Williams and Cindy Watson in Darwin) decided to bring a Timorese rock-band Vi Almaa X to Darwin for a public performance along with Anito Matos a singer and compere who always had his Timorese audience laughing even when we had seen him hosting clandestine concerts for Falintil before the referendum.

With funding from the Northern Territory Department of Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs APSC organised a big concert at the Botanical Gardens Amphitheatre including Neil Murray, June Mills, Jodie Cockatoo, Horsetrank and the Saltwater Band.

Those that braved the cold night (Darwin cold) saw an excellent concert. Vi Almaa X were given much needed instruments and on returning to Dili gained a long standing gig at the Oasis Hotel.

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Ilana assisted Maria Dias PAS director on another project which was to register all occupants of Western Atauro Island (where PAS ran a health clinic) for the World Food Program so food aid could be arranged. They took the opportunity to distribute much needed medicines and tools donated by OXFAM while there. They began in Atekru then climbed the mountainous coast to Adara then to Ili Timur writing down all names ages and marital status of the villagers. In each village one of the PAS nurses would hold a clinic diagnosing and giving medicines.

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A Congress of Women of Timor Lorosa’e was held in Dili on June 17 and the APSCTL local staff went along rather shy about joining what they seemed to perceive as radical women. Beba got into the swing by performing music there with women from FKFTL.

Beba and Cipriana from FKFTL at the Women’s congress

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APSC facilitated Dr Fiona McDonald from Danila Dilba Aboriginal Medical Service in Darwin spending 4 weeks volunteering with PAS Health Clinic. See Appendix 2.

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Suai/Covalima Report: June to October 2000

APSC worked in the Covalima District from June to October. Lee Kirk, as the Suai Project Manager, was based in the District focusing on women’s projects and capacity building for local NGO’s. APSC created small income generation for 325 women and supplied materials for 57 men. Suai (Covalima) Sewing Co-op. This project is managed by a local NGO called Hadomi Malu. A house was provided by the church but only had walls so had to be rebuilt. Originally created for ten women but with the great demand for sewing machines it grew to accommodate 50. The sewing Co-op contains 10 sewing machines, 10 chairs, 1 table, 30 rolls of materials, enough zippers and buttons and cotton to last at least 6 - 12 months, scissors, ribbon and all other accessories. There are 5 groups of women, each group contains 10 women. Each group gets access to the sewing co-op for one day a week. When most women where consulted they where happy with this arrangement as they all had family and houses to keep and found is easier to work one day a week instead of five. Each group comes from a different suburb of Suai. Matai, Debos, Cumnassa, Mata and also one group of people from the Fatamean area that have been placed in Suai as there is no housing for them to go back to. The women have agreed to pool all money together. APSC’s job was to seek all funding for the project, purchase the materials in Dili and organise transportation. Basic management training was given to Hadomi Malu and the women of the management committee 150 Sheets of Corrugated Iron, US$1000 for rebuilding and US$1000 for sewing machines, furniture and materials was supplies by TEP’s through the Gender section of the UN. The Pakistan Army constructed the roof and local Timorese carpenters did the doors and windows. Timor Lorosa’e Support Group from NZ donated $350 AUD for 2 sewing machines Jen Hughes donated $150 AUD for 1 sewing machine IKFET donated 1 Sewing Machine, 15 Rolls of Materials CivPol (Suai) contacted I.S.T.A. (Industrial Sewing Threads & Accessories) who donated haberdashery items CARE donated 10 rolls of material Embroidery Embroidery projects have been established in three areas Fatalulic, Matai and Zumalai. Fatalulic is 40 kms from the town center of Suai (by road) and 5 km from the boarder or West Timor. At the time there was minimal (if any) money in the area.

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The town had been destroyed and all furniture and equipment carried across the boarder or burnt. The local women decided to set up an embroidery workshop to teach the younger generation this art form. This project was designed to lift the morale of the women of the area and potentially create income generation. Funded US$500 by the Child Youth Development Project (CYDP). Matai is 6kms from the town center of Suai. This project was created for income generation. The women’s aim is to reintroduce into the market products that existed before. The two women in charge of the project created groups of women between the ages of 16 and 20. Their reasoning being that this was the age group that was too old for school and too young to marry. Hence creating an atmosphere that the women felt comfortable not having to find a man to marry and being able to be self-reliant. A sewing machine was included in this project. It is a communal one that all women of the area can use if they have their own materials. Funded AUD600 by Timor Lorosa'e Support (New Zealand) Zumalai is 30 kms east of Suai. This area had been heavily intimidated and many men were killed in the area after the 1999 referendum, leaving behind widows that have to make a living and support their children. The widows have assured APSC that they will be able to sell their products in the local markets. Funded AUD865 by the British Mission. Sewing Co-op in Zumalai This project is run by the women of OMT. Once again the house had to be build from scratch. This house is the OMT house and will be used for meetings and training as well as for the sewing co-op and embroidery and tais making. APSC held meetings with the women, wrote the funding proposal and brought most of the products. Funded AUD7 980.00 by the British Mission Tais Making projects were set up in Fatalulic and Fataloro, areas that have little if any income but the products can be sold in Suai or Dili. Fataloro is about 20kms by road from Fatalulic. 1 – An initial outlay of cotton was supplied to the women of the areas. This was so they could start work straight away and begin bringing money back into the community 2 – Men where also given basic carpentry tools, initially to help the women make the tools to make the Tais then to do small scale carpentry. 3 – The women where supplied with traditional cotton seeds. There are only 2 women left in the area that have knowledge about traditional cotton and they were very keen to pass it on to the younger generation. The sourcing of seeds for this project was the most difficult part as currently in the area there are few cotton trees left. When the Indonesia’s arrived they also brought their cotton and traditional cotton languished. The seeds were finally found in Sunfuk a small community approx 10 Kms from Suai. It takes 12 months for cotton trees to start producing.

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In Matai a group of men received food for work for preparing a field for the planting of traditional cotton. This group was given the most seeds as the leader of the area is very keen to regenerate this form of art. Sunfuk had enough raw cotton to start making the traditional cotton making immediately. There were about 20 older women who still had the knowledge. The women received ‘food for work’ and were supplied with the small ceramic plates and bowls needed. The men of the area were given “food for work’ and basic carpentry tools to help the women make the tools required to complete this project. Restaurant A restaurant was created in the town center of Suai when it was noticed that there were many foreigners in the area with no where to spend their money. This was run by 5 widows and 1 man who needed income generation. The restaurant caters for the local population as well. The Suai church supplied the building (which had to be rebuilt) and all tables and chairs. Timor Lorosa'e Support (New Zealand) donated AUD1000 to buy an initial stock of food and all cooking equipment. Nuns from Jakarta donated Rp 5 000 000 to buy a freezer and to keep some money in case of an emergency. Regeneration of the Chicken Industry This project was implemented through Hadomi Malu. In Suai eggs were being imported from Dili because after the 1999 referendum the chickens were all either killed or taken across the border. APSC helped with the writing of the funding proposal and organised interviews with international donors and Hadomi Malu. There are groups of 10 women in Selee, Matai, Ogust and Debos. These women are responsible for the building of the yard and the maintenance of the chickens. UNTAET agreed to do the first round of immunizations for the farms. This was funded by the British Embassy. Other work of APSC in Covalima APSC assisted the Suai branch of Fokupers with transportation for meetings. Lee also often found herself talking to women from Fokupers about their situation and the violence that had occurred in their life. Computer lessons where given to Hadomi Malu with particular attention being given to the Director, Gildo Da Costa, with the idea that he would be able to train the rest of the group. The NGO organised access to E-mail and mobile phone so have their own communications up and running Lee translated for UN DFO’s, PKF and CivPol regularly out in the mountains where there are very few translators as she has fluent Tetun. She also worked closely with UN Gender Affairs in Suai helping with translations and also imparting knowledge on what the women wanted, where to source materials and funding contacts for women’s projects.

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Consolidation in Dili: July to September 2000 In April Dr Peter Spitzer contacted APSC. Peter is a medical doctor who always wanted to be a clown and his colleague Jean-Paul Bell is a professional mime and clown who had always wanted to be a doctor. They established the Humour Foundation and the Clown Doctors which has been visiting the wards at Sydney Children’s hospital since 1997. They wanted to travel to East Timor to provide some emotional healing to the traumatized children. APSC was the only organisation who would take them on and in July they came to Dili to stay at our not yet renovated house and performed at the International Commission of Red Cross Hospital, PAS Clinic and an orphanage and then venture out to Ermera, Manatuto and Samalari village 9km from Baucau. The Timorese at first were puzzled and unsure about these crazy performers but progressed through smiling to raucous laughter and not wanting them to stop as the Clown Doctors mimed, juggled, blew up balloons, played tricks on each other and even tried to say a few words in Tetun. Some mothers with babies wanted diagnoses and medicines and Peter was able to provide that as well once the medicines were found on the Dili wharf. The Clown Doctors tour was made into a documentary called Dr Fruit Loop goes to East Timor and will be shown on SBS television in Australia in 2002. During August APSC was visited by Dr Rob Landau who had come over to East Timor in July 1999 to assist Falintil and the clandestine with radio transmission problems. Rob an astro-physicist was also an expert on solar equipment and we decided that in this time of reconstruction it would be good to consider alternative energy options. Rob using basic Indonesian and charts and instructions in Bahasa held workshops at the APSC office over a few days for staff from local NGOs. Beba caught on quickly and was able to assist with interpreting.

********** Julie Emery a long time Timor crafts trader stayed at APSC House in August. Julie wanted to check out the crafts scene (though she was shocked by the UNTAET-inflated prices) to see if she could establish outlets for Timorese handicrafts in Australia and overseas. She also spoke to NGO Murak Rai about the integrity of cultural handicrafts, preservation, innovation, realities of commercial buying and shipping and retail outside the country.

********** Jen Hughes a video maker and media organiser from Adelaide used APSC as her base to begin a 10-year documentation of the healing process in Suai after the tragic massacre there. Her video “Circle of Stones” portraying the commemoration ceremony in September 2000 has been shown at exhibitions in Australia and on TVTL throughout East Timor. Through our network APSC accommodated, supported, and organized introductions and transport for Miffy Robb from the East Timor Relief Association NE Victoria Support Group. She had brought to East Timor the most amazingly well packed container of useful gardening, sewing, and education items donated from the local people. Miffy had an adventurous trip to the Viqueque district to

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deliver some of these goods to the Widow’s village of Luca – see an article form the Age newspaper at on 17 October 2000

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APSC was asked to sponsor a visit to East Timor by grassroots theatre group Earthdream which is composed of 40 young, talented and down to earth performers from 15 nations who travel the world (eg Bosnia, Mexico, Australian Aboriginal communities) sharing their message of peace and healing through creative expressions in a wide range of performance styles including circus, acrobatics, mime, standup comedy, clowning, music, street theatre, and dance. Many of the performers were multi-skilled in other areas eg electrical engineer, carpenters, computer experts, teachers and health practitioners. Logistically to bring this troupe over to East Timor was a nightmare. Ilana tried to get approval from Father Filomeno Jacob to no avail. She found out later that he thought they would bring drugs to Timor and he’d never even seen them! It was true that these performers mainly dressed in feral style ie no shoes, no shaving, plenty of body piercing, tattoos etc. So police checks were carried out on all performers due to travel on the Australian navy catamaran Jervis Bay and a couple of people were found to have unpaid fines. They were not allowed to travel. The group travelling by UNTAET free flights caused great consternation. Dirty jeans, no shoes oh my god this will spoil UNTAET’s reputation. Talent friendliness and enthusiasm were of no account. Seems one of them responded rudely when asked about shoes. APSC staff member at the airport was called over. “We are not happy”. Anyway shoes were found and the group were urged to warn other members to be better dressed for travel and reminded that UNTAET was graciously allowing them to travel for free and they really had to follow regulations. However most were brought over along with one vehicle, sound gear, stilts, costumes, instruments and vegan food.

Earthdream proved to be a great success in East Timor. eg in August Earthdream gave an evening public performance on the Esplanade which drew a huge crowd and a performance at the Chinese Stadium which drew approximately 10,000 enthusiastic people. They conducted a cabaret performance and circus skills workshop at a Secondary Technical School in Dili which successfully encouraged audience participation from the 100 English language students present. They performed at Falintil’s 25th Anniversary in Aileu, held workshops with disadvantaged youth and students and recorded local performers eg Lirio. They performed in Suai at the commemoration ceremony, on Atauro and in Baucau and Balibo. They also taught morning English classes and arranged for a donation and delivery of a large amount of sporting equipment.

Some of the Earthdreamers notably Johan Blissten (Johan Yorke) and Shannon Stiles stayed on to form the infamous Bibi Bulak (Mad Goat) a performance and video making group which made monthly children’s comedy television shows - hilarious half-hour takes on foreigners in East Timor for TVTL (Television Timor Lorosa’e) which are repeated again and again. The programs were in Tetun as Bibi Bulak members quickly became fluent. APSC worked with Bibi Bulak on joint projects providing a Public Address system and sound engineering to the UNTAET Children’s Festival in Dili and the Suai massacre commemoration ceremony both in September. APSC also enabled Bibi Bulak’s travel to Atauro Island where they performed on several occasions and assisted

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Roman Luan’s health education project through interactive theatrical and musical expression and performances.

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In September the Jurists Association were finally able to hold their Gender and Children’s Rights Seminar with two Darwin lawyers Kate Halliday and Jenny Devlin as guest speakers. The idea for this seminar came from a conversation between Jude and her lawyer in Darwin where Jude was still involved in a court case from a demonstration at the Department of Foreign Affairs in July 1998 calling for Australia to withdraw its recognition of the Indonesian occupation of East Timor. The lawyer Melanie Little told Jude that the Darwin Women’s Lawyers Association had some funding for a project in East Timor. On return to Dili Jude contacted Jacinta Pereira, a young judge who talked with the Jurists Association and the outcome was the idea for the seminar. The date was changed many times before finally being held in September. APSC arranged UNTAET free travel for Kate and Jenny and housed them at our office. (This began for Kate an on-going relationship with East Timor and in 2001 she spent 3 months working with Fokupers advising the advocacy section).

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In late September we had a request from Manatuto Senior High School to visit what was left of their school and consequently to assist in getting the school repaired. School was to officially restart on October 2, 2000 and St Antonio’s had already enrolled 450 students. Xanana Gusmao had been born and lived during his youth in this coastal town and this was possibly the reason that the Indonesian military systematically burnt 95% of the town’s buildings including houses, schools and convents, after the announcement of the referendum one year before. The school is run by the Canossian nuns and as well as having their convent and the school destroyed, they also had two of their group savagely killed by militias while travelling near Los Palos. APSC’s role was to find out which organisations would assist and help arrange meetings. Our first visit was to UNTAET Education head office in Dili to find that St Antonio’s had not yet been listed even though it was the only senior high school in the area. This meant no engineering inspection reports had been done. So this was the first of a string of meetings APSC arranged for the director Sr Francelina to meet with UNTAET, USAid, World Bank and UNICEF. She also appreciated our staff accompanying her to these “frightening” international agencies.

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Throughout the Year

One of the major activities APSC carried out in 2000 was assisting a wide range of local NGOs. Some examples have been supplied in the narrative report but for a full list of organisations and how we assisted them see p22

We worked with 3 currencies: Australian dollars, American dollars and rupiahs and consequently had to keep three cash books and be continually converting currencies

Our mobile phones rang non-stop

Repairs and renovations to the house continued throughout the year thanks to Rob Wesley-Smith, David Pepper and the HOTFLIMA boys, Phil and Rick Hosking, and APSC’s own staff who managed to turn their hands to most jobs. APSC Office Kuluhun

Dealing with the multitude of changes to the rules of flying free with UNTAET between Darwin and Dili, importing goods and applying for customs duty exemption was an ongoing challenge to APSC but through doggedness and smart staff we managed to keep abreast. We brought over a number of visitors for our own organisation and also for other NGOs who could not get their head around the red tape

We gave driving lessons to local staff

APSC’s Dili-Darwin connection resulted in Ilana spending a large amount of her time on logistical activities undertaking procurement of equipment for individuals and organisations and the logistics of getting it to decimated Dili. Initially mobile phone cards, car parts, print cartridges, develop film “ad nauseum”. These chores although tedious were important to the re-establishment of communications and transport. One time she spent 2 days phoning around Australia looking for a particular photocopier print cartridge so that the newspaper “Lalenok” needed so they could publish. The photocopier had been supplied by USAid who stated that they did not provide any support for maintenance of equipment or availability of spare parts for any of their donated equipment. Seemed shortsighted to us. Ilana also found herself constantly buying sets of rings and pistons for USAid donated Yamaha 175s

Later in the year with the assistance of Carey Khasakhala Ilana began to specialize in buying cheap cars and transporting them from Darwin for small Timorese businesses involved in wood carting, construction, supplying kiosks with dry goods, bringing produce to markets, brick production and delivery, taxis,

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and farming in Same. She became a spare parts expert buying fuel pumps, carburetors, flange gaskets etc

The Darwin-Dili connection also resulted in APSC arranging flights and accommodation in Darwin. As an organisation tapped into numerous networks (East Timor activists, Greens, Anti-nuclear/militarism, feminist, alternative media…) APSC was often contacted for suggestions about which Timorese people would be suitable to go to this or that international forum. The home of Ilana and Sonny Inbaraj was a drop-in-centre for various Timorese on their way to and from conferences and universities and also Australian volunteers wanting to go and help in Timor. During the year APSC house/office in Kuluhun and Ilana’s home in Bebonok provided accommodation to many of these international visitors. (see p27 for full list of international volunteers and visitors in 2000)

APSC provided assistance to many individuals with obtaining travel documents from UNTAET which seemed determined to make it as difficult as possible for Timorese to leave the country (a holiday certainly wasn’t sufficient reason!) and also we helped with obtaining visas from the Australian Mission which also took the same view and charged USD36 to just apply for a visa

APSC had a small library of books for sale and loan about East Timor eg James Dunn’s East Timor: A People Betrayed, Buibere Voices of East Timorese Women volume 1 and also a collection of videos eg Carmela Baranowska’s Scenes From an Occupation and photographs on our office walls from East Timor in World War II, Santa Cruz cemetery November 1991, Xanana after being caught by the police in 1992 etc. The World War II collection was loaned to the Australian Peacekeepers for a few weeks and displayed on the walls of their barracks in Caicoli

APSC local staff learnt English on the job by talking to international staff and visitors, having occasional in-house classes, attending classes at NGO Forum and studying English at University. They also learnt the basics of MS Word, Excel, Quicken, Windows Explorer, email, WWW browsing, and virus checker. They practiced connecting up components of a computer system. They were given training in a wide range of office operations from the basic eg how to send faxes to another country and how to file alphabetically, to higher level eg dealing with funding bodies, doing the accounts. They learnt about the role of international aid organisations and “NGO good practice”. They learnt by example about women’s equality and independence.

We provided use of computers, email and fax at our Dili office to a range of individuals and organisations

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End to an Exhausting Year: October to December 2000

In November APSCTL staff made a memorable trip to Darwin. For most of the Timorese staff this was their first trip outside of East Timor and it was a great learning experience thanks to Oxfam’s funding but not thanks to the Australian Navy which prevented us (5 Timorese staff, 2 International staff and I volunteer) from travelling on the Navy catamaran “because the Navy haven’t finished checking all the details yet” even though 24 hours before we had been told we had 99% chance of travelling. Jude asked “do they know how difficult they have made it for us?” Answer “Yes”. Then began a drawn out process of trying to get everyone onto the free UNTAET flights (we had no funding for airfares). At that time UNTAET were not at all keen to allow Timorese NGO staff to travel on these free flights even though international staff had no problems. However we kept at them and finally were able to get everyone to Darwin except for Leo who had an old tuberculosis scar on her lung and as her previous x-ray had been burnt by the militia had to wait 6 months to get another x-ray to prove that she no longer had TB.

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Darwin Field Trip Report November 2000 by APSC Local Staff

The trip was, for us, very useful and interesting. We were able to visit many organisations and learn much which will be of use to our work in Timor Lorosa’e. Arranging free transport to Darwin was very complicated but finally everyone was able to fly with UNTAET between November 1-3, 2000. Three staff stayed 3 weeks and two stayed for a month. Organisations we visited included: Top End Women’s Legal Service

We learnt about domestic violence and women’s legal rights. We asked about legal service for men and were told that there were other legal aid organisations that they could use. The director Kate Halliday also escorted us to the Darwin Magistrates Court to watch a case in action. This happened to be a case about Indonesian fishing boat in Australian waters and we spoke with one of the charged men. Royal Darwin Hospital’s section for premature babies & the birthing suite

We saw Aboriginal and white babies and all the equipment and tools that are not available in ET. We want to have babies in the birthing suite. We also were shown the room where Timorese evacuees with TB were isolated after the Referendum. Northern Territory University

a) Cesarina Rocha took us to her last Anthropology tutorial for the year which was about the importance of special days in culture. APSCTL spoke about Christmas and 12 November.

b)Next Cesarina took us to the Faculty of South East Asian Studies where we met a research student who spoke Indonesian. She arranged a meeting the following week at a café at NTU with two other women who asked us about Timorese culture, sacred houses etc

b) We visited the library, checked out the books on East Timor and saw the special collection of books from Portuguese Timor

c) Friends took us to the web site design section where one of them works and showed us what she does. Australian Volunteers International Darwin office

We had a meeting with Christine Perkins to arrange to ask for Jude Conway to be sponsored by AVI as a mentor of APSCTL. Danila Dilba Aboriginal Medical Service

A former APSC volunteer, Dr Fiona MacDonald, invited us to visit her work place. We saw the set up – medicines, women’s rooms, aboriginal health workers, how the aboriginal people must come to DD to take their medicine (rather than take it home). We learnt about sex, AIDs and condom use and were given posters and many boxes of condoms. (We were too embarrassed to bring the condoms back to East Timor). ABC Radio

We visited the recording studio and Lee and Beba were interviewed on radio. Community Radio A local Timorese, Alice Casimiro, took us to community radio station and Beba spoke on the Tetun language show Radio Timor Kmanek about the situation in East Timor and the activities of APSCTL.

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Dawn House Women’s Shelter We were conducted around the shelter and the office by a Timorese

worker, Nina Lemos, who told us about their counselling services and how the workers help the women in court. Nina showed us where women stay when they need to get away from violence. We saw the good accommodation provided, facilities for children etc, and learnt that no men are allowed. NT Parliament House

Saw where the sessions of Parliament are held and visited the State Reference Library. Saw all the newspapers from different countries, read the Jakarta Post. MHR’s Office

We visited the office of Warren Snowden, the Northern Territory member of the Australian House of Representatives. They told us we could use the office as our office while we were in Darwin so we took the opportunity to photocopy 10 copies of the Tetun language manual. NT Museum and Art Gallery

Saw many Australian animals, looked through a microscope at shells, went through the exhibition about Cyclone Tracy in 1974, looked at traditional aboriginal painting. 24 Hour Art

Visited an exhibition of original posters about aboriginal people and heard a beautiful singer in the foyer. Brown’s Mart Community Arts Centre

We met Jane Tonkin who spoke to us briefly about funding for arts projects and activities for Browns Mart in 2001. Commemoration of the Santa Cruz Massacre - 12 November Beba Sequeira spoke about our experiences at a gathering at Raintree Park and Edith and Beba sang. Some of us attended a special church service the next day that was in Indonesian. There were not many people there – we are used to many people at church. Cinema We all got to visit the cinema, some of us saw alternative cinema at the NT museum, some went to see Charlies’ Angels – about women being strong, and one of us went to the outdoor Deckchair cinema. Framed Art Gallery We were invited to sing at the opening of an exhibition of paintings about East Timor. We sang Timorese traditional songs and a couple of our own original songs for an hour while people walked around looking at the paintings. (Because we had the chance to spend time together every day and night and access to two guitars we formed a singing group named Foti Mak Riba, which means “if you are down we’ll bring you up”).

Foti Mak Riba and Jude at Framed Art

Gallery

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Darwin culture Jude, Ilana and Lee made sure that we experienced some typical Darwin culture. We visited the Roma Bar cafe in the city a number of times and learnt how our Darwin friends do their networking. Soon we were doing our own networking there also. We visited Dusty Jackets second hand bookshop.

We went to a friend’s party but found that some of the women dancing topless was just too much for us. We went to Discovery nightclub to watch the disco and lightshows. We played pool a few times at the Arafura pub in Nightcliff.

We liked Darwin’s markets - thought better organised than in Timor Lorosa’e. We saw and enjoyed buskers for first time.

We were able to meet many of the Timorese Diaspora community in Darwin and many of the Darwin-based activists who sustained important solidarity activities during the occupation years. Ilda met one of her sister-in-laws for first time and we all became good friends and stayed for a while at her house. Edith had the opportunity to learn about Microsoft Power Point, PhotoShop and email from a friend we had met in Dili.

We had barbeques twice at Berri Springs, stayed with our friends Wes & Ces at Howard Springs, and visited East Point where we saw the memorial to World War 11 and wallabies. We loved visiting the big shopping centres and went to Casuarina a few times and also down to Palmerston shopping centre.

The visit also enabled all APSC staff, international and Timorese, to spend a day in a focused meeting, without interruption, to discuss our future plans, aspirations and organisational directions.

Importantly, 3 weeks to 4 weeks living in an English-speaking environment helped us all considerably improve our English language skills. Comments We were very happy to visit Australia and learn about Australian culture. Although we thought that women are better off in Australia, how women dress was a shock – low cut tops, short skirts… and we were surprised at the lack of children around. We tried Australian food but thought there was too much bread. We saw much new technology, the first was the escalator at the airport which was scary. We had to be taught how to use washing machines and stoves. It was obvious to us that we were in a different country.

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Back in Dili

APSC provided practical and managerial assistance and encouragement to a women’s cultural group named Lirio. Lirio, comprising 6 women, sing Timorese songs, play guitar and drums and perform traditional Timorese dancing. We had brought to Dili a woman named Kate Vale who was seeking a music group to perform at the Festival of Folk, Rhythm and Life, in rural Victoria. Lirio and Kate were introduced and a long collaboration began highlighted by Lirio, with logistics help from APSC, travelling to and performing at the festival in December.

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APSC had strung out our 6 months funding from DFID for over 8 months and fortunately in November we received AUD20,000 from the AusAID East Timor Community Assistance project. Also APSCTL was successful in receiving substantial support from USAid for our office and mobile team. After observation of our activities, much debating and revising a vehicle usage policy we proudly received a new white Toyota Hilux as well as filing cabinets, desks, stationery etc and also a fuel allowance.

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East Timorese Non Government Organisations Assisted in 2000

Association Creche 12 November works with disadvantaged youth in Becora, Dili. APSC advised on writing funding proposals and assisted with English translation Bia Hula – an NGO working in water, sanitation and community development. We assisted with writing funding proposals and a linked an international computer trainer. Staff members attended APSC training workshop on use of solar energy. Bibi Bulak – performance group which made popular TV programs APSC brought international members to Timor and helped seek resources CDEP - People’s Economic Development Centre – assisting farmers to improve productivity and transport goods to new markets. APSC assisted with funding proposals and email access. Conute Nascional dos Orfaos & Mutilados de Timor Lorosae – places orphans in families We assisted with preparing a funding proposal East Timor Computer Support Centre (SESCOM) provides local NGOs with computer hardware and software support APSC assisted with the establishment of this group and its receipt of funding from USAid East Timor Human Rights Commission – collects evidence of violations during the 25 years of Indonesian occupation. We helped with a successful funding proposal from Terre des Hommes Jakarta and introduced international visitors East Timor in History, Culture & Society (ETHICS) aim to document traditional languages & customs in East Timor and the stories of the guerrilla fighters. APSC assisted with funding proposals and successfully linked ETHICS with CIIR. East Timor Student Solidarity Council - have established a Resource Centre in Dili and run projects with women, agriculture and media. We helped with writing funding proposals and seeking funding, provided “Timor Timur Dulu dan Sekarang” on diskette, assisted students who want to study overseas and two to attend summer school in Norway, linked international supporters East Timor Training Centre (Centro Traino Timor Lorosa’e) APSC linked international teachers and donated teaching manuals East Timorese Women’s Work Foundation (FKFTL) – working on building up the independence of the East Timorese Women in all professions and women’s rights. We assisted with funding proposals, given English language training and organised replacement of phone cards and ink cartridges. ETWAVE – East Timorese Women against Violence and For the Care of Children. We helped write funding proposals, obtained funding from Kofi Annan for a women’s retreat and from a Dutch funding body Mama Cash, for their operations, provided computer support and introduced a reproductive health expert to their organisation.

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FALINTIL – the former guerrilla army. We arranged the delivery of goods, the establishment of a permaculture garden in Aileu, helped persuade UNTAET to provide regular financial assistance for food, & provides fax access in Dili. APSC arranged for Earth Dream to play at Falintil’s 25th birthday party. FOKUPERS – Forum for the Communication of Timorese Women. Fokupers operates a women’s shelter and provide advocacy, training and education on women and children’s rights. We organised English classes, assisted with writing a successful AusAID funding proposal, donated books on women’s issues and a mobile phone (taught how to use), arranged a phone account in Darwin, gave support in computer operations (PageMaker) and repairs, assisted with travel arrangements, gave them information about international women’s conferences and training and helped them write applications and linked them with international visitors who can be of assistance Fundasaun Amizade de Timor (FAT) works in Atabae rebuilding the school & initiating income generation projects in agriculture and fishing. APSC gave ongoing assistance to FAT with writing funding proposals and final reports, translating proposals and applications, gave lessons on operations of photocopier, mobile phone and computers, taught use of email, assisted with organising access to a server. Staff attended APSC training workshop on use of solar energy. Fundasaun Naroman – organises conferences and seminars on language in East Timor as well as agricultural projects. APSC provided email access, advice, funding and use of a motorbike to assist in the organising of a language conference. Group 99 – Women’s group in Matai (Covalima District) APSC sourced funding for an embroidery project and a communal sewing machine Haburas – environmental organisation. APSC assisted with funding proposals, arranged for a member of Haburas to attend a conference in Australia linking environmental scientists and activists throughout the Asia Pacific, and donated books on environment issues. Hadomi Malu an NGO in Suai APSC mentored the women’s group in this NGO, conducted computer and English lessons, sourced funding for a sewing co-operative, chicken farms and a restaurant, sourced donations of fabric and gestetners, assisted in the purchase of equipment and establishment of operations, and linked to UNTAET workshops HOTFLIMA – ex-political prisoners who have banded together to help widows and orphans and create income generation workshops. We assisted with writing funding proposals for JICA, AusAID and CIDA, the second two successful, accompanied HOTFLIMA to visit funding bodies eg UNHCR, JICA, oshowed how to get donations of clothes from Timor Aid, gave clothes for the widows given to us by the Australian army for distribution, donated a computer and printer, and assisted access a truck from PKF to move a brick making operation. Staff attended APSC training workshop on use of solar energy. IMPETTU – organisation of students who have studied university in Indonesia APSC supplied a volunteer English teacher KDALAK MEDIA - publish Talitakum magazine and Lalenok newspaper. We sourced donations of media equipment and arranged freight from Australia, provided funds, email access, a mobile phone, media training, assisted in establishing printing

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facilities, technical computer support, linking with international media support networks, mentoring, training in MYOB Laga Catholic Junior High School We sourced donated computers and helped write funding proposals Lirio a women’s singing group in Bairo Pite APSC organised a recording session of their music, singing and arts administration training, a trip to a music festival in Victoria Australia, and assisted with engagements at the Oasis Hotel in Dili Manatuto Catholic Senior High School We sourced donated computers, obtained and taught use of a mobile phone, helped write funding proposals, arranged meetings with UNTAET Education in Dili, USAid, World Vision, UNHCR, and World Bank re repairs and equipment for the school Matai Men’s Group (Covalima District) APSC arranged food for work from the WFP for planting a field of traditional cotton and carpentry tools Maubere Cultural Institute – an educational institution established by the Timor Socialist Party. We assisted with writing a general funding proposal and replacement of ink cartridges National Jurists Association Of Timor Lorosa’e – has legal and para-legal members. We gave literature from Australia on women’s rights and domestic violence, sourced funding for a capacity building seminar on Gender and Children’s Rights from the Darwin Women’s Lawyers Association, organised travel and accommodated the 2 guest Australian lawyers and linked the Association with international legal groups. Nazare a sport and cultural organisation for women and men in Bairo Pite, Dili APSC donated sporting equipment NGO Forum – (FONGTIL) APSC compiled a list of the international funding agencies in East Timor which the NGO Forum translated and distributed. We donated books and videos on East Timor to the library OJETIL – formerly clandestine youth organisation which organises Santa Cruz massacre commemorations each year, is helping establish small-scale enterprises and lobbying for youth. We provided and arranged freight of a donated vehicle, helped write funding proposals and look for funding, arranged an international volunteer English teacher, and provided email access and use of computer and printer. OPMT Dili –formerly clandestine women’s group We gave advice on funding proposals and where to source funding OMT Fatululic near the border in the Suai district We obtained funding for a tais project, and rice seeds, sourced donated various seeds and cottons and arranged for tools from TEPS OMT Fataloro – Suai district APSC sourced funding for a tais project, arranged for tools from TEPS and delivered seeds for traditional cotton OMT Zumalai APSC sourced funding from AusAID for the establishment of a sewing co-op, embroidery and tais making and rebuilding a house

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Printing Consortium - a management group of independent media organisations (under the wing of UNTAET’s office for communication and public information) to enable media NGOs to print a range of publications We facilitated the free shipping of donated printing equipment from Australia to Dili (UNTAET had no budget for this) and linked an international trainer. Prontu Atu Serbi (PAS) –has been operating health clinics for the disadvantaged since 1996. We assisted with a successful funding proposal from CARE International, gave lessons for computer and phone problems, placed a volunteer doctor with the clinic for one month, found funding and co-ordinate volunteers to renovate a building for an operating theatre, doctor’s residence, consulting rooms and medical storage. We donated a station wagon for use as an ambulance for rural clinics, arranged donations of clothing, medicines, hospital equipment, assisted with legal aspects of the ownership of the land. Radio Voz de Esperanca – (Radio Falintil) Sourced donated music CDs, linked to Radio JJJ-FM in Australia for training assistance, included staff in media training program, arranged travel to Darwin, positive media and performances for the director Anito Matos RENETIL – formerly clandestine organisation of students who studied in Java who now lobby and give political and economic education. We assisted with a funding proposal, provided photos for a photographic exhibition, organised for a Renetil member to attend a women’s web design training course in Korea, and assisted students who want to study overseas. Sahe Institute for Liberation – translates and publishes books on social issues, organises seminars and is establishing a library. We obtained a special collection of donated books on politics, philosophy, development etc from a retired Catholic Philosophy lecturer in Newcastle for their library, and introduced international supporters. Two of their staff attended the APSC training workshop on use of solar energy. Saheu School in the Talimoro sub-district, Ermera district APSC helped with funding proposals, advice on contacting UNTAET and donation of goods Senhora Katolica - Ermera Catholic Women’s Organisation – supports widows, orphans & disabled people, runs a sewing workshop, gives trauma counselling. APSC organised donations of clothes (some given to us by the Australian army for distribution), medicines and sewing equipment, helped write funding proposals, linked with assistance from an Australian sewing co-operative. Sun Fuk (Covalima District) APSC arranged carpentry tools and food for work for the men to make traditional tools and food for work for the women to make traditional cotton and tais Timor Aid Women’s Sewing Co-operative – provides training and income generation. APSC contributed goods and initiated a valuable visit by Mrs Kofi Annan. Tofara Music Centre – performing arts & music APSC is giving assistance with the establishment of the centre in Dili, providing materials for renovations, sourced donated musical equipment, organising training in music, performance, computer editing & promotions towards general industry development.

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Vi Almaa X a Timorese rock band APSC organised them to visit to Australia and arranged a concert in Darwin amphitheatre where Vi Almaa X played to 10,000 people. They were also given access to a recording studio and technicians and learnt the process to complete a professionally produced album Yayasan Murak Rai - women’s economic development and cultural industries APSC linked an Australian trader of Timorese crafts who provided information on problems and solutions on buying and selling handicrafts from Timor and trade opportunities Yayasan Timor Nabilan (Yatina) Agricultural and environmental projects We translated a funding proposal. People ask how did all these NGOs make contact with APSC, a small organisation? Answer is through our networks mainly, the international staff’s long association with East Timor and Australian activist groups, the national staff’s family and study connections, and also word of mouth. We rarely spoke about our organisation at a public meeting.

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INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS/VISITORS FOR YEAR 2000 International volunteers and visitors received free transport Darwin/Dili/Darwin which APSC arranged on UNTAET flights and in Timor Lorosa’e were provided with free accommodation either at the APSC office in Kuluhun or at Ilana’s house in Bebonok and given assistance with food, transport & sundries Vaughan Williams music development organiser stayed at Talitakum office and Bebonok, three visits over the year Assessed and organised music exchange projects with Darwin Fiona McDonald medical doctor stayed at APSC House 30/5 – 23/6 Worked at PAS health clinic Julie Emery Timor crafts trader stayed at APSC House 10/8 – 16/8 Talked with NGO Murak Rai about the integrity, preservation, and innovation of cultural handicrafts, the realities of commercial buying, shipping and retail outside the country. She looked for crafts to take back to Australia. Sandra Minter sculptor, video maker stayed at APSC House for 2 weeks Assessing situation of women and trauma for future research project Annie Adrienne teacher, gardener, musician stayed at APSC House for 4 weeks in August Taught English to group of local children 6 days a week, helped set up garden, played the piano accordion. Amy Glastonbury scientist, permaculturalist stayed at APSC house in August collecting seeds, gardened, then worked on project in Suai Robert Landau astro-physicist stayed at APSC House 1 week in August taught use of solar power Rob Wesley-Smith tropical Agricultural scientist stayed at APSC House two or three times over the year repaired APSC office, assisted the Kangaroo Valley Project in Remexio and escorted international visitors who were assessing the situation in East Timor to a range of projects

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Stuart Highway non-formal language teacher, activist Stayed at APSC house one month Taught English at OJETIL Jenny Setchell (Divo) physiotherapist, herbalist, English teacher stayed at Beba Sequeira’s house in Bairo Pite and Samalari village for about one month till she caught dengue fever and had to leave taught English at Fokupers and Samalari village John Bell artist stayed at APSC house for one month, drew pictures for locals, helped with repairs, taught English Damien Heath carpenter, computer expert worked with Lee Kirk in Suai for one month in September Ray Hayes community development worker, APSC committee member Stayed at APSC House for 12 days around 30 August worked in garden, cooked, gave encouragement to staff Adam Nelson carpenter, graduate stayed at APSC house 3 months installed water pump, did minor repairs at APSC house started renovation of PAS building for clinic, wrote funding proposals Kerry Nettle graduate, activist stayed at APSC house for 2 months until she caught malaria and had to leave taught English to FKFTL 3 nights a week helped organise students to travel overseas, wrote funding proposals Paul Greening English teacher, bahasa Indonesian interpreter interpreted for Clown Doctors and APSC taught English at the East Timor Training Centre Miffy Robb representative East Timor Relief Association NE Victoria Support Group stayed at APSC house for 2 weeks in September delivered donated goods to Ermera, Manatuto, Baucau and Viqueque Kate Vale organiser of the Festival of Folk, Rhythm and Life in rural Victoria Stayed at Bebonok from 18/8 to 4/9 Kate searched for musicians for the festival, met with Fokupers, the National Association of Music, the Student Solidarity Council and Radio Falintil and also donated CDs to Radio Falintil from the Festival Organisation. She organised a variety concert in the Taman Mini Gardens with musical group Lirio, a troupe of dancing children and Ester Gusmao's dance troupe.

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Esti Aditjondro When George Aditjondro, the world expert on the Suharto family wealth brought his wife Esti to East Timor for the first time we took her to the opening of the Ermera women’s retreat in Mirtuto village established by ETWAVE. After hearing that Kofi Annan wanted to assist women Jude had spoken to ETWAVE’s director Olandina Cairo then written the funding proposal for this centre. We also took Esti to Santa Cruz cemetery and to lunch at our office where we could see she was rather shocked by the primitive standards but soon adapted Earthdream stayed at a house near Ilana’s at Bebonok for about 1 month through August/September Yohan Blissten Music, clowning, writing Dominic Pangrazio DJ, Bahasa Indonesian Mathilde Favier Acrobalance, stilt walking , DJ Jason Fitzsimmons DJ, formal music training, building, renovating Daan E’Sas Engineer, building, games , acting Danielle Piano, keyboard teaching, tie-dyeing Mat Bonner Documentary camera operator, logistical experience

working in Somalia and Mozambique Tony Sawyer Sound and visual arts, show production – murals,

illustration portraiture and sculpture David Muchfree Photography, screen printing, Bahasa Indonesian Ben Clive Accoustic instruments, sound recording, mechanic Rufus Computer skills, graphic design animation, web and

CDRom design, Video camera, digital photography Shannon Stiles Computer skills, web design, music production, writing,

video editing. Gloria Pean Crafts, acrobalance, trapeze, twirling, stilt walking, juggling,

drumming, flute, Portuguese Bishen Audio engineering, basic electrical and mechanical skills,

DJ and music programming skills. Graham St John. PhD in cultural anthropology. Earthdream researcher,

(author of articles on alternative culture and communities). Bahasa Indonesian, website design.

Kate Halliday and Jenny Devlin

lawyers Stayed at APSC house for 4 days in September Both spoke at a seminar on Gender and Children’s Rights Anna Taylor English teacher from England Stayed at Beba Sequeira’s house from 5/11/00 to 28/2/01 Taught English to students at IMPETTU, gave driving and English lessons to APSC staff, assisted with repairs to the house, transportation and logistics

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2001 Started on the Run With the use of the USAid Toyota Hilux APSCTL was able to get out into the districts. We ran our first ran basic computer training in Ermera for the staff of Senhora Katolica (now Moris ba Dame) APSCTL and Ilana went to Ainaro to participate in a Youth celebration. Beba and Edith played guitar and sang and APSCTL handed over donated sports equipment Jude was taken on by Australian Volunteers International as adviser of APSCTL which eased our funding problems.

Christine Perkins from AVI, Beba and Edith sign agreements between APSCTL and AVI

AVI gave APSCTL further support by asking if they would like to apply for a large grant from AusAID with AVI as the monitoring body. The funding application had to be written in a late night frenzy in early February. It was successful and APSCTL were allocated AUD100,000 for a year for the Grassroots NGO Capacity Building Scheme. (The money didn’t actually arrive till end of June). So APSCTL’s substance as a separate body to APSC has now expanded dramatically but in our actual day to day operations APSC and APSCTL are one body so throughout the report for 2001 either name can be used though if only the local staff are referred to then APSCTL is used or as the house was rented by APSC this name might be used. There are 2 financial reports because funding was specifically given to one organisation or another.

The main activities of APSC/TL throughout the year was to work with local grassroots NGOs and a full list of all the NGOs that we worked with and how we assisted or trained them is listed on page 42.

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APSCTL Mobile Team Reports February 2001

------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 February APSCTL Mobile Team to Manatuto and Baucau: a) Deliver donated materials to Canossian nuns in Manatuto b)Transport Women’s performance group to Baucau – supporting women towards economic independence c) Introduce international members of NGOs to Canossian Nuns in Manatuto and to APSCTL supporters in Baucau 4 February Field Survey in Baucau district. a) APSCTL member Titi Amaral had a meeting with 2 teachers from Samalari village 9km outside of Baucau re APSCTL organising training for girls in Samalari in computers and English. Arranged to visit Samalari in March. b) Titi Amaral and APSCTL’s international adviser visited the home of local OMT representative Carolina dos Rosario to discuss computer training for women in Baucau. Practical Assistance in Manatuto c) APSCTL spent two hours in Manatuto at the Senior High School run by the Canossian nuns. The international advisor provided computer support and software installation. kms travelled: 292 10 February APSCTL member Beba Sequeira travelled to Ermera in the Toyota with one of the international volunteers as driver: a) transported donated materials to the Senhora Katolica. b) had an advisory meeting with the head of Senhora Katolica (Senhora Eufrasia) re their funding proposals for new activities:

how to present information about their activities need for photographic material of their activities

APSC helping market their goods (give goods to APSC for marketing in Dili) how to register with NGO Forum their need for a computer, English training and more computer training. Another session of computer training for members of Senhora Katolica was arranged for March. For the NGO Forum Beba Sequeira:

organised time, place and advertising of Civic Education training Total kms travelled: 163 13 February For APSCTL in Ermera Beba Sequeira

a) provided capacity building on how to obtain funding for projects to Sister Odette from the Canossian Nuns who look after poor and handicapped people in the Ermera district. Funding application forms will be taken to Ermera on the next trip in March and more specific training given on how to write their proposals.

b) met for the first time with a representative from a youth media group named Lia Tatoli (Comprising about 50 students – 20 girls). The representative asked for assistance in obtaining a computer, photocopier and training in desktop publishing. Beba provided introductory capacity building about seeking funding and writing a funding proposal.

c) met with the Senhora Eufrasia of Senhora Katolica providing another coaching session re writing funding proposals: one for a new project involving youth and another project involving old women.

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March 2001

Batugade and Maliana Initial Field Survey 5-7 March 2001 5 March Members of APSCTL Teresa Barros and Maria Soares with advisor Jude Conway and International volunteer Graeme Wallis drove Beba Sequeira and Gisela to Ermera then drove to Batugade. 6 March Batugade We attended the opening of the Batugade Health Clinic which Graeme had helped build. We met with Fernanda the midwife, Sr Anne Foale of Health Net who is training midwives and the local priest and doctor. There was a large representation from PKF, CivPol and Border Control. Maliana Maliana’s rice paddies have been replanted since APSC last came through in October 2000. This has given a reinvigorated look to the town. Visited the Maliana Youth Centre which has been funded by CYDP (Community Youth Development program). Met with the Youth worker, some of the management committee and Tom Hyland who is working for 4 months as advisor to the committee. Gave box of children’s English books donated by Second Hand bookshop in Darwin. The Youth centre is providing language training and will be providing computer training as well as other courses. It has a basketball and volleyball court. A number of people are also using it as a drop-in centre.

Looked for a family that Jude has known since before the vote who still seemed traumatised when APSC travelled through Maliana in October 2000 but they have moved to Dili. Visited the Maliana Hospital and met up again with Fernanda as well as one of the international doctors. Maliana hospital will be one of the three main hospitals in Timor Lorosa’e but still needs repairs, equipment and more staff. Donated two rolls of material and a large box of cottons to be given out to new Mums. Met up with Sr Anne who has been based in Maliana for only two weeks. Introduced her to Tom Hyland from the Youth Centre. She might teach massage at the centre. Met Mark Harris who works in the Human Rights Section of UNTAET. He said that there are two international staff based in the Serious Crimes Unit carrying out the investigation into the approx. 200 people killed by militia in Maliana in 2000.They receive support from a few Timorese police. To complete the job in the one year allocated they need more resources both human and financial. He also told us about the Maliana Widows Association which has been recently established. It has 47 members whose husbands were killed last year. It has already received funding for some projects. We stayed with Teresa’s relatives. They told us people still need household items and clothes and asked if we could help next time we came through. Her father and mother have not yet got their own house even though many UN shelter kits have been supplied in the area. 7 March Revisited the Youth Centre. The local high school is using one of the classrooms because it has chairs and a blackboard. Visited this high school. Poorly equipped.

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Drove back to Batugade. The new health clinic had only had seven patients this morning. Drove back to Dili. Conclusion The economic and emotional situation has improved in Maliana since October 2000. Networking with local people and familiarisation with district underway. Funding for some projects is already being obtained. Families still rebuilding domestic situation. Not an urgent need for APSCTL to return. Before APSCTL does return will request household items from Timor Aid warehouse.

***********

Upgrading the APSCTL Office in Kuluhun continued throughout 2001

Painting, tiling of the bathroom, attempts to stop the roof leaking (still leaks)

A fence was built to try and stop people coming up and staring in the window especially at night

A new circuit board installed that could handle a few appliances especially the computer and a kettle. A generator bought and connected

A shed made at back to store generator so it would not be stolen

A gate was made to keep the pigs from coming in and ruining the small garden that we had tried to set up. They had already eaten the mango tree. However they kept breaking thru the bamboo fence. Jude made it one of her jobs to chase pigs out in the day (we were next to a public lane and had to leave the gate open in the day) but after one was injured running across the road she gave up and our garden now consists of only untasty plants.

OPEN DAY 21/4/01 We decided to have an OPEN Day to celebrate one year in our office and the painting of the house and invite friends that had not yet seen what we were doing. We weren’t mobbed by hundreds of visitors but the day was a great success. Gizela de Carvalho from Lirio acted as MC and soon after became a volunteer then later staff of APSCTL. The music was provided by of course Lirio and a group of women from Ermera who wrote a special song for the day which still rings in our minds at times. We had an Exhibition of clothes and tais from Ermera, photos and videos about Timor Lorosa’e and a fabulous cake (Beba and Edith’s families are superb cooks). The cutting of the cake, the champagne, the presentation of specially made tais to our friends from USAid, AVI, CIDA (AusAID were too busy to attend) all contributed to a sense of ceremony and a feeling that we were now on our feet.

Beba & Jude cutting the cake

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Ilana & Jude speaking about achievements Beba with Bella Galhos from CIDA

The night culminated in a party with music from the New 5 do Oriente playing traditional songs with 4 guitars and a large water bottle to replace their usual drum. The harmonizing was pure magic. ALTERNATIVE FUNDRAISING METHODS Ilana used a different approach to seeking money for a birthing clinic in Comoro – Moris Foun. She collaborated with a group of Australian women and arranged a cocktail party on board the Central Maritime floating hotel at sunset in May. They received sponsorship from Legend Nautilus of bottles of champagne which helped to make the party a roaring success raising USD2000 which was used to start renovations at the clinic Unfortunately Ilana left in June to go and live in Kenya. Working in Timor for her had been a time of challenges and wonderful bonding with both Timorese friends and internationals and she was missed.

DARWIN TRIP REPORT 4 – 18 July 2001 APSC staff member Jude Conway already in Darwin. 3 APSCTL staff (Beba Sequeira, Teresa Barros, Gizela Carvalho) arrived in Darwin on Wednesday 4 July 2001, Edith Neto arrived 9 July Everyone returned to Dili Wednesday 18 July Activities while in Darwin Assessed and purchased new computer equipment for Dili office

Jude & Beba shopping

Attended NT Business Expo Used MHR Warren Snowden’s office for sending and receiving faxes and photocopying Tetun manuals

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Training Had 3 English language classes with Marion Corbett, a trained ESL teacher Had 3 hours Excel training with Martin Goreing of the Home Computer and Consultancy Service Had video training session with Georgie from the NT University multi-media centre Meetings With Karyn Sassella (ex-OXFAM) and Cath McKay who are writing and producing a multi-media performance centred on East Timor. APSC-TL was asked to provide some video footage for the performance and to return to Darwin in October to see the final product. Visit to Danila Dilba Aboriginal Health Service (2nd time) to meet the staff and learn more about the activities of the centre. This time brought back to Dili the condoms they were given which they handed over to Bairo Pite health Centre Visit to Top End Women’s Legal Service with Jude re a civil case of Jude’s to learn more about TEWL’s activities Introduction to the President of the Darwin Women’s Lawyers Association Melanie Little Familiarisation with music scene by attendance at:

National Aboriginal and Islander week concert at Brown’s Mart with solo women performers, rap, reggae and rock

Nirvana Night Club to hear Birdwave play Funk music and meet the musicians

Top End Hotel Lizard Bar to hear Salsa dance music

Kongo – DJs playing hiphop and world music

Mindal Beach Markets to see outdoors music

participation in jam with leading aboriginal singer June Mills

Visited Cal Williams, member of Yothu Yindi, to observe music and video editing programs

Visited Marine Boy, member of Yothu Yindi and CD mixer, to observe CD mixing

**********

While we were in Darwin an APSC-TL staff member, Titi Amaral, who had been busy giving Civic Education training around the districts for the forthcoming election and had not yet been able to travel to Darwin, had a serious motorbike accident in Dili. She was taken to the Military hospital with internal injuries and a badly broken leg. They put a steel pin in her leg and soon after her release Titi’s family took her to Same where she spent weeks recuperating with a traditional healer. She was unable to return to work with APSC-TL until early 2002.

*********

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Training of APSC-TL staff

On-the job training was carried out throughout 2001 by adviser Jude Conway, Suai Project workers Lee Kirk and Damien Heath, and a range of international volunteers and local trainers in:

financial management

recording accounts, balancing books, use of different currencies, filing of receipts, donations for other NGOs, money from different projects, assets register, insurance, financial checklist for AVI, tax, Quicken computer accounts, AVI project financial system, monthly financial reports for AVI, exchange rate calculations, correct receipts and vouchers basic computer use MS Word, use of Table in MS Word, surfing the web, use of email including the address book and file attachments, Windows Explorer, use of scanner and digital camera, connecting parts of computer system, graphic based programs, general maintenance, how to clean a mouse, fixing “computer problems”, installing programs, infra red capabilities of laptops, Photoshop, MS Excel including use of “sum” writing basic funding proposals what information is required, what questions to ask beneficiaries, budgets including getting correct prices for items, the kind of information that can be included for organisation’s own contribution, different requirements for different funding organisations, changing currencies, use of MS Excel for budgets in proposals, 2 hour workshop with AusAID driving In and out of Dili conversational English daily practice with adviser and international visitors basic organisational management skills filing, record keeping, keeping activity books, need for networking and attending outside meetings, (eg visited Chinese, Portuguese and NZ Missions and CARE & OXFAM re funding and FAT and ETADEP re training), keeping minutes for staff meetings, recording visitors, buying equipment in Darwin, sending faxes, organising workshops, writing 6 months plans, refill ink cartridges, use & recharging of mobile phone, filing, day to day functions, writing job descriptions, preparation for 6 month monitoring visit.

Formal training was carried out in: Civic Education: One staff attended training sessions at:

the NGO Forum run by the Asia Foundation

NGO Association Creche 12 November re using drama to teach civic education

Radio UNTAET on Talk Shows

CNRT Balide Financial management training: All staff received training in basic bookkeeping from USAID 1 ½ day Financial Management workshop with OXFAM – 2 staff Computer use: Edith & Gizela attended classes at NGO Forum. Volunteer Jacqueline Benedek gave individual training to staff in MS Excel Martin Goreing of Home Computer Consultancy Service in Darwin gave a 3-hour workshop on MS Excel to 4 staff

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Advanced English: Titi, Gizela and Beba studied English at NGO Forum. Leo Barros is studying English at University. Gizela commenced studying English at University in November International volunteers Kate Halliday and Gordon Renouf, both lawyers completing Teaching ESL in Darwin, gave English classes to APSC-TL staff in the use of the past tense and written English Beba and Gisela attended 3 classes with ESL teacher Marion Corbett in Darwin

Video use:

Staff received training from Rick Hosking and Ken More in use and maintenance of digital video camera, connection of camera to computer to store photos, introductory video editing, lighting, zooming, log book, transferring to VHS They filmed

the launch of John Martinkus’s book A Dirty Little War at Hotel Turismo

Gizela interviewing Sebastian Guterres who is referred to many times in A Dirty Little War

the book launch of Buibere Feto Lian Timor Lorosa’e Volume 2 at CNRT Hall

submission of Children’s Rights manifesto to Constituent assembly

Creche 12 November’s workshop on children’s rights and their visit to the hospital

Distribution of baby fish in Ermera for a QIP project

footage of Timor streets and project activities which was used in a multi-media performance in Darwin.

Project Management: 2 day workshop in May for all staff with Antonio da Conceicao, now with the Planning Commission Management of an Effective NGO workshop: In July and August all staff participated in this 10 day workshop covering how to prepare a Terms of Reference, Organisational Assessment, governance, constitution including mission statement and management committee roles, relationship between APSC & APSCTL, job descriptions, organizational structure, financial procedures, filing systems and preparation of a Manual of Operations (MOP), by Australian Consultant Stephen Morrow who had an impressive track record working with local people in NGOs in Africa and who spoke Portuguese. It was soon obvious that Stephen had to start pretty much from scratch. APSCTL had not originated as a NGO set up on their own initiative but started as staff and volunteers with APSC. Most of the concepts were new ideas and how to work out what we wanted was challenging. The relationship between the international staff and the Timorese staff was thrashed out in the session on management structure when experience v nationality was weighed in relative importance. The Constitution, with the structure, was then worked on intermittently until early 2002 and now APSCTL has a good quality constitution in English and Bahasa Indonesian that has been borrowed for other groups to peruse . Job descriptions as well took many months to complete in 2 languages. APSC (Jude and committee member Geoff Etches) informed APSCTL that as long as APSCTL supported the objects from APSC’s constitution then APSC would be happy for them to use the name. The objects (see page 4) were included in APSCTL’s constitution. A decision was made to set up a Timorese management committee for support of APSCTL especially for after APSC left. We expect that a meeting will be held in May 2002 to establish this committee.

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Financial procedures needed a lot of improving. Year 2000 had been so manic that although we had recorded all expenditure we did not have all the systems and appropriate vouchers in place. By the end of 2001 the coordinator and financial officer now have the knowledge of how to operate an efficient financial system and teach it to other NGOs.

********** Various members of staff attended the following workshops and meetings: NGO Principles and Code of Conduct for NGOs in Timor Lorosae workshop Workshop on Reconciliation and Human Rights: Peace Tolerance and Democracy workshop at NGO HATAN Microfinance workshop Traditional Law & Culture workshop Justice & Accountability in East Timor Seminar International Women’s Day Rally ETTA/NGO Co-ordination meetings INGO meetings Opening of the National Archives Collection World Bank Report on Interim Donors Meeting in Dili Civil Society Consultative Commission on Development meeting with NGOs REDE Women’s Network Election Period APSC house had many visitors over this period . We attended a few rallies and watched with interest the formation of new parties especially PD Partido Democratico with many of our old friends from Renetil. PD obtained the second highest number of seats after the landslide win to Fretilin.

APSC/TL participated in the election: Lee Kirk, Suai Project Officer was an observer at Fatalulik, Annie Rooke-Frizell (volunteer staying at the house) at Aileu and Jude Conway in Ermera town. In Ermera secrecy of the ballot was almost sacred with the voters urged to fold their paper many times to prevent any observation of the contents. In Fatalulik Lee realised that the person overseeing the ballot box had worked out a coughing and sniffing method to inform a particular party representative which party had been chosen. This was soon brought to a halt. Otherwise all went smoothly and for those of us who had been observers at the referendum in 1999 the lack of intimidation in 2001 made farcical the fact that international election staff refused to allow any photos or videoing outside the polling booths in case the voters would be frightened.

For international staff of many organisations to display an amazing ignorance and lack of understanding of the history of East Timor and the role of the TNI was exceedingly common.

*********

The situation in Dili for APSC in October is described in an email Jude sent to her Community Development lecturer at Northern Territory University on 24/10/01

I have read the readings and done a lot of work for the first essay but I have decided that I have other more pressing priorities at present eg we are trying to assist a village and an NGO improve their agricultural capabilities, another NGO get their office happening, a birthing clinic to get off the ground and more... also we are soon to have a 6 month assessment by our funding partner and are behind in our financial reports also I need to spend more time on learning Tetun and that especially has lost ground since I've been trying to write the first essay. There have been up to 10 people staying in our house in the last weeks and the electricity has been very bad - I hear something blew up at the power station

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and our main computer with all our essential files on it broke down and other than some of the financial files I haven’t been able to get backups of all the files yet as I need access to a CDRom writer and we are trying to get one of our cars and our motorbike fixed and we had a prowler the other night and clothes pinched off the line yet another night and another prowler a couple of weeks before and I've got to get some stuff thru customs and apply for duty exemption and I haven’t even got to visit the hearings of the new Constituent Assembly yet. Anyway I'm sure you understand what it’s like.

At the time APSC was having email problems with their server and this email never even reached the university.

East Timorese NGOs Assisted by APSCTL in 2001

Alamor Music Centre – performing arts & music APSCTL assisted with writing proposals and a report outlining their present situation and future plans. We arranged delivery of funding from a fundraising concert in Melbourne Alola Foundation for Women Survivors – established by Kirsty Sword-Gusmao We provided an Organisational Assessment questionnaire that we had translated into bahasa Indonesian for use for training women’s groups Association Creche 12 November works with disadvantaged youth in Becora, Dili. APSCTL advised on writing funding proposals and assisted with English translation, provided email access, documented by video their presentation to the Constituent Assembly, one of their training programs and their visit to the hospital at Christmas. Bairo Pite Health Clinic We arranged free travel for 2 staff to attend training in medical laboratory in Darwin and volunteer Annie Rooke-Frizell gave physical therapy training there. Bia Hula Suai – water and sanitation NGO Assisted with seeking funding and consulting with women’s groups re making coconut soap Bibi Bulak - performance group who also made popular TV programs APSCTL helped seek resources Canossian Nuns in Becora Assisted with a funding proposal for computer training, arranged for one of their second hand computers to be made operational, escorted to Hadomi Timor Oan to discuss assistance for orphans

Comunitas Katolica – Ermera

Assisted the coordinator with an AusAID funding proposal for a sewing group Dili Youth Centre APSCTL provided an English teacher East Timor Community Centre We arranged free travel Darwin/Dili for volunteers

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East Timor Community Computer Project – arrange for donated computers and provide a computer repair and software installation throughout East Timor APSCTL gave donated MAC computers and parts to them, arranged free travel Darwin/Dili for 4 of their volunteers and provided occasional use of office resources East Timor Student Solidarity Council - have established a Resource Centre in Dili and run projects with women, agriculture and media. We assisted with writing funding application for women’s literacy project and a carpentry workshop, gave academic English tuition to a member East Timor Training Centre (Centro Traino Timor Lorosa’e) APSCTL donated teaching manuals East Timorese Women’s Work Foundation (FKFTL) – working on building up the independence of the East Timorese Women in all professions and women’s rights. We sourced funding from Hunter Valley Quakers for a handicrafts project and tried to teach the importance of reporting to their funding body Ermera Catholic School – accompanied teacher to World Bank to discuss a proposal Ermera Youth Centre (Centro Juventude Ermera) We helped write a successful funding proposal to AusAID for English, Portuguese and carpentry training and a workshop, gave advice on following a budget, assisted with the receiving and banking of funding and conversion of currencies, explained reporting requirements Fini Timor Lorosa’e (formerly Rai Hun Moris) – agricultural association from Manatuto We assisted them to write a proposal for improving rice productivity to USAid and accompanied them to present it. (outcome unknown) FOKUPERS – Forum for the Communication of Timorese Women. Fokupers operates a women’s shelter and provide advocacy, training and education on women and children’s rights. APSCTL donated books on women’s issues, facilitated placement of Myer Foundation funded Australian woman lawyer, specialist in domestic violence, in the advocacy section for 3 months (she arranged translations of information on domestic violence and support for victims in court, and advised on UNTAET legislation) and provided her with email access. We arranged a visit by a representative from Darwin Community Legal Service which resulted in one staff attending a Community Legal Service conference in Perth and assisted with logistics for travel. Assisted with invitations for Buibere Feto Lian Timor Lorosae book launch and videoed the launch for the compiler who could not attend. FOKUPERS Suai Taught basic computer to members, and supplied women from remote areas with transportation so they could join the torture trauma workshops being run by Fokupers Dili in Suai. APSCTL assisted with obtaining funding from OXFAM to complete repairs on their building and then trained the women on how to budget when spending donor money, how to account and how to report to the donors. We also supplied them with transportation to complete the project. Showed how to make an assets register. FORDEM – publish Lian Maubere magazine We provided an English teacher who taught grammar and conversation Group 99 – Women’s group in Matai (Covalima District)

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APSCTL gave advice on accounting skills, arranged a Budgeting workshop and supplied them with transportation to Dili for a buying trip, linked them with IKFET for wholesale sewing materials Haburas – environmental NGO We provided accommodation at APSCTL office for 2½ months for their Australian volunteer environmentalist and introduced another Australian environmentalist who gave them advice on revegetation, reafforestation and written English for funding proposals Hadomi Malu - NGO in Suai which runs agricultural, fishery, gender and chicken projects. APSCTL was a general advisor to Hadomi Malu on a range of issues including financial management training and training on writing proposals, implementing projects, writing reports to donors and monitoring projects, conducting basic English lessons and computer lessons, assisting with the purchase of equipment in Dili and sourcing funding for a generator and operations from New Zealand. APSCTL organised for fifty chickens to be given to Hadomi Malu from the World Bank, arranged regular access to the chicken immunisation programme and a visit by an Australian vet who advised on prevention of chicken diseases. Also we arranged a workshop for Hadomi Malu by an international consultant in NGO operations and connected them with international volunteers, appropriate UN workers and other international NGOs that come through the Covalima area. Hadomi Malu Sewing Group APSC-TL helped the women fix 5 broken machines (out of a total of 8) and inspired the women to look after their equipment better and use the building they where donated to the full potential. We gave basic accounting training and a budgeting workshop and provided transport to Dili for a buying trip. APSCTL sourced funding for an overlocker, and advised on how to use. Hadomi Malu Restaurant provided advice, facilitated conflict resolution with Hadomi Malu committee and provided logistical support in carting rocks and river gravel for restaurant renovations for improving restaurant HAKBIT - Women’s group from Laga We assisted them write a funding proposal for sewing machines and literacy classes to AusAID (outcome unknown). Haksolok - women’s group in Manatuto arranged meeting with IKFET to obtain sewing machines & training Hamoris Timor Oan Assisted them to get connected to internet HOPE for East Timor – working with orphans in Dili and Ermera Gave advice on where to find funding and information needed for proposals, assisted with travel logistics and arranging free travel for staff and volunteers, provided telephone and fax access, gave basic computer training to 1 staff member HOTFLIMA - ex-political prisoners who have banded together to help widows and orphans and create income generation workshops. We provided email access for their international volunteer and organised vehicle spare parts from Darwin

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IKFET – Industri Kiik Fetolast Timor - Sewing cooperative in Dili which supports local sewing groups, provides wholesale materials and buys products to sell in Australia APSCTL gave advice on format for seeking funding for projects in Ermera, Manatuto and Laga from UNHCR and AusAID, spoke to Japanese Peace Winds for them re establishing more sewing centres, connected IKFET to a number of local sewing groups, gave advice on how to make a second hand MAC computer operational IMPETTU –organisation of students who have studied university in Indonesia APSCTL supplied a volunteer English teacher Katilosa – work with people with disabilities Assisted with successful funding proposal for clubhouse and training centre, taught about spreadsheets and computer repairs KDALAK MEDIA - publish Talitakum magazine and Lalenok newspaper. We linked them with an international visitor who helped organise a free web site, arranged for software problem in one journalist’s laptop to be fixed and linked them to the Australian Network For Art and Technology re Tactical Media workshops

Laga Catholic High School

APSCTL staff escorted them to international agencies to seek assistance and arranged donation of 3 computers LBH-TL – legal aid organisation We arranged visits by a representative from Darwin Community Legal Service and the former head of the Northern Australian Aboriginal Legal Service which resulted in one staff attending a conference in Perth

LIBERTA - legal aid organisation

We gave advice on and edited the English in a funding proposal for their operations, arranged a volunteer English teacher/lawyer for 3 weeks and assisted with logistics for another volunteer English teacher/lawyer for 1 month. We arranged a visit by a representative from Darwin Community Legal Service which resulted in one staff attending a Community Legal Service conference in Perth. Assisted director with logistics to travel to Australia study English for academic purposes and Masters of Law in Sydney

Lirio – Singing Group

We provided email access and organised transfer of funds from Australia. Manatuto Catholic Senior High School We gave advice on an unsuccessful funding proposal to UNICEF for computer training, accompanied them to meetings with USAid, UNHCR, and World Bank re repairs and equipment for the school and to CIDA and again to USAid to discuss project proposals, assisted with acquittal reports to funding bodies. Arranged donations of cash from 2 people in Australia, of 9 computers and some computer repairs from East Timor Community Computer project and 4 laptops from another source Moris ba Dame – formerly Senora Katolica Ermera supports widows, orphans & disabled people, runs a sewing workshop, gives trauma counselling. APSCTL organised donations of clothes and sewing equipment, showed how to register at NGO Forum, helped write successful funding proposals to AusAID for chicken farming and UNHCR (QIP) for fish farming and market gardening, arranged liaison with INGO GOAL for QIP projects, assisted with logistics of receiving funding and distributing QIP materials, banking and writing acquittal reports, displayed their products at our Open

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Day, gave members beginners computer classes, arranged for members to attend agricultural workshop with JICA Moris Foun Birthing Clinic – Comoro Organised a cocktail party as a fundraiser, wrote a funding proposal which was partially funded by private Australian individual, updated the funding proposal to incorporate changing needs, linked with a visiting Australian midwife and the Northern Territory Midwives Association, translated lists of medicines, obtained donations of equipment and medicines, arranged letter of support from Kirsty Sword-Gusmao, gave training on budget, keeping financial records and converting currencies Moris Hakmatek – group of people that is returning to their village of Daralari in the Viqueque district

APSCTL assisted write a successful funding proposal to Ireland Aid for building a Community Centre, scanned photos to send to funding body, made business cards for director, helped them register at NGO Forum Nabilan ba Matan Aat – NGO for teaching blind people Gave advice on funding proposal and suggested contacting the Portuguese and Japanese Missions for funding, provided use of fax and email National Democratic Institute – assessment of elections Provided an English teacher for private lessons for one staff member National Jurists Association Of Timor Lorosa’e – has legal and para-legal members. We arranged a visit by a representative from Darwin Community Legal Service which resulted in one staff attending a conference in Perth New 5 do Oriente – music group APSCTL arranged logistics for the group to travel to an East Timor Fundraising concert in Melbourne in March organised by the Boite and to Darwin to perform at Arafura Games closing ceremony and a recording session in May/June NGO Forum IT Centre – provides internet access and computer repairs We arranged a volunteer who taught them how to run an efficient computer repair centre by organising parts and discarded computers, giving job numbers and designing a data base to track repairs, making “to do lists”, having staff meetings. Also started making a video on computer repairs NOVA – agricultural association from Los Palos Assisted with writing a funding proposal to AusAID for rice and vegetable growing in the Los Palos district, obtained free place in 2 week permaculture training in Aileu and arranged for one member to attend an agriculture workshop in Dili run by USC OJETIL – formerly clandestine youth organisation which organises Santa Cruz massacre commemorations each year and now is helping establish small-scale enterprises and lobbying for youth. We arranged an international volunteer English teacher, and provide occasional email access and use of computer and printer. OMT Fatululic near the border in the Suai district We obtained funding from New Zealand for an income generation pig project and helped buy, deliver and immunise the pigs. We linked them to PKF markets for their tais and embroidery and found an Australian woman in Dili who was selling Timor’s craft in Australia who bought their craft and supplied the women with more material and

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embroidery cotton. APSCTL supplied 40 women with vegetable seeds donated from Australia and transported 2 women to a nutrition workshop in Suai that APSCTL helped arrange with JRS and the Sisters of Saint Paul. OPMT Dili – long established women’s group APSCTL arranged free travel Darwin/Dili for 2 of their volunteers Permaculture Institute – provide training in Dare APSCTL arranged free travel Darwin/Dili for volunteer Lachlan McKenzie Prontu Atu Serbi (PAS) –has been operating health clinics for the disadvantaged since 1996. We supplied a volunteer English teacher for the staff for 8 weeks and facilitated the placement of a PALMS volunteer nurse and masseuse for 6 months Anne Rooke-Fitzell, who gave training in first aid, anatomy and physical therapy & advice on use of medication to Clinic staff and arranged for a visiting Australian chiropractor to give seminar on introduction to chiropractic treatments. We taught them basic computer use, assisted with fax machine and computer problems, organised staff travel to Atauro and gave them information on wages and conditions. Roman Luan - NGO on Atauro Island APSCTL arranged a week visit by an environmental scientist to advise their eco-tourism project on garden design, best coral sites and underwater photos Sahe Institute for Liberation – translates and publishes books on social issues, organises seminars and is establishing a library. We sourced many books for their library on politics, philosophy, development etc, Samalari Darlari - Farmers Association in village 9km from Baucau Assisted with writing funding proposal for equipment and animals to IOM, obtained 2 free places in 2 week permaculture training in Aileu and arranged for one member to attend agriculture workshop in Dili run by USC. Arranged the visit of a vet from the Australian Quarantine department who gave advice on local animal diseases Suai Community Youth Centre APSCTL helped set up a new computer, arranged for two Community Computer Project staff from Dili to come and fix 10 of their 12 donated computers, then 3 APSCTL staff taught computer classes at the centre. Ukun Rasik Legal Aid arranged visit by a representative from Darwin Community Legal Service which resulted in 1 staff member attending a Community Legal Service conference in Perth and assisted with logistics for travel. Yayasan Hak - Human Rights and Legal Aid organisation arranged visits by a representative from Darwin Community Legal Service and the former head of the Northern Australian Aboriginal Legal Service which resulted in 1 staff member attending a Community Legal Service conference in Perth and assisted with logistics for travel. Provided an English teacher.

**********

45

Civic Education APSCTL staff member Titi Amaral with 5 other trainers under the umbrella of the NGO Forum, gave Civic Education training on democratic process, the Constituent Assembly election and the Constitution to:

teacher and students at Laulara Catholic High School, in Aileu district,

the communities of Lakolo and Bahdik in Manatuto District.

the community in Behau in Manatuto district;

the communities of Sere, Lau, Raano and Adwari in Los Palos District

the Becora community in Dili

Also APSCTL staff member Beba Sequeira gave civic education training in Ermera town

Miscellaneous Supportive Activities

Received donated books from second hand bookshop in Darwin and Encyclopaedia Britannica from an individual and took them to the University library and Fokupers

APSCTL volunteer, Maria Soares, after working in our Dili office gained employment in a shop

linked organiser of tais exhibition for Melbourne Festival with a number of contacts re exporting tais to Australia

received and transported donations of tools, clothes & seeds to poor people in Maliana

Assisted international volunteer English teacher from PAS Clinic (Sr Michelle Reid) attend meetings in Darwin

discussed proposal re acupuncture college in Timor with international volunteer

provided information & ideas to Australian performance group which wants to visit Timor next Easter

Showed videos on large screen about Timor in Dili, Aileu and Balibo

Discussed eco-tourism ideas with Pedro Lebre of Vila Harmonia

Travelled to Remexio with David Scott, Rob Wesley-Smith and David Pepper from HOTFLIMA and met the CNRT leader, CEP project officer and school principal/village chief – who said they needed help with rebuilding houses and books in Indonesian

Provided large laminated photos of the Australian Army’s presence in Timor in World War II for display at Z Bar, main road, Fatuhada

Set up our own website www.apsctimor.org with the help of Sam da Silva

Sent report re APSCTL activities to Women’s Affairs Dili District Administration

APSC visited Oecusse by boat to assess the situation – they needed income generation projects but too difficult for us to contribute

We assisted:

6 students to return to complete their degrees in Indonesia and Timor

1 student to study post-graduate computers and management in Java and then to return to Timor with the assistance of UNHCR

2 young men with writing and faxing job applications for jobs in the Timor Gap at the Bayu-Undan field.

writing many Curriculum Vitaes

2 high school students to travel to Australia to study at West Moredale Anglican College in Ipswich, Queensland

East-West University in Hawaii by providing office space and use of computer and email for Geoff Etches - organizer of applications for Masters scholarships to the University

2 girls to return to high school studies in Dili

5 girls to return to school in Suai

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WOMEN PARTICIPATING IN INCOME GENERATION PROJECTS

MAY TO OCTOBER 2001

Name of NGO

Place Type of Project No. of Women

Moris ba Dame (working with 4 farming groups)

Ermera District – Piedade and Mirtuto

Chicken Farming 70

Moris ba Dame (working with 4 farming groups)

Ermera District – Piedade and Mirtuto

Vegetable growing 75

Moris ba Dame (working with 6 farming groups)

Ermera District – Piedade and Mirtuto

Fish farming 100

Organisasaun Mulhere Timorense (OMT)

Covalima District Fatalulik

Tais making 13

Organisasaun Mulhere Timorense (OMT)

Covalima District Fatalulik Aitoun, Bedasi, Beco)

Pig farming 21

Organisasaun Mulhere Timorense (OMT)

Covalima District Selee

Tais making 5

Organisasaun Mulhere Timorense (OMT)

Covalima District Zumalai

Tais making 2

Nuns weaving group Covalima District Suai

Tais making 4

Organisasaun Mulhere Timorense (OMT)

Covalima District Fatalulik

Embroidery 6

Hadomi Malu Covalima District Suai

Sewing Cooperative

8

TOTAL

304

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Appendix 1

APSCTL SUAI/COVALIMA REPORT

June – October 2001

Capacity Building for Local NGOs

And Women’s organizations.

Hadomi Malu (Love Together)

Hadomi Malu first started in June 2000 with the aim of helping the poor. From the

beginning APSCTL has taken an interest in Hadomi Malu, as they are one of the very few

local NGO’s working in the Covalima District. They now successfully run Agricultural,

Fishery, Gender and Chicken projects in the area. In the next couple of months they will

also be partnering with CARE doing micro finance for women. The CARE project is a

three-year project, which will also supply Hadomi Malu with Operation Costs and

Capacity Building over these years.

APSCTL in the months of June to October has done many things with Hadomi Malu to

try and build their capacity as they grow into a fully functioning NGO. Below is a list of

training that APSCTL has given Hadomi Malu.

1. Computer Lessons for the Director every Second Night of the week for 5 months.

Three other members also received computer lessons for two and a half months,

two nights a week.

2. A two day workshop with Stephen Morrow focusing on Filing, Job Descriptions,

Constitutions, Partnerships with International NGO’s and Accounts Systems

3. From the two-day workshop we

discovered that the accounting system

needed a lot of work. Over the next 2

months many hours were spent with the

Hadomi Malu’s Accountant setting up

an accounting system that would work

for them and the projects they were

involved with. They now have a

functioning accounting system, which

has been an imperative aspect of their 3-

year contract with CARE.

4. APSCTL has also run two projects together with Hadomi Malu. 1 – Hadomi Malu

Sewing Co-op 2- Chicken Farms (Please see pages 71-72 for a full report).

Through doing these projects together, Hadomi Malu has received training on

writing proposals, implementing projects, writing reports to donors and

monitoring projects.

5. APSCTL has connected Hadomi Malu with International Volunteers, appropriate

UN workers and other International NGO’s that come through the Covalima area.

6. APSCTL has been a general advisor to Hadomi Malu on a range of issues.

7. Basic English lessons

Hadomi Malu NGO Operations

Workshop

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INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS & VISITORS FOR 2001 Terry Lawler Mechanic Stayed at Bebonok in January for 1 week Repaired cars and taught some local mechanics Anna Taylor English teacher from England Stayed at Beba Sequeira’s house from 5/11/00 to 28/2/01 Taught English to students at IMPETTU and staff at PAS health clinic, gave driving and English lessons to APSC staff, assisted with repairs to the house, transportation and logistics Rachel Potter English teacher Stayed at Beba Sequeira’s house from 5/2/01 to 28/2/01 Gave English and driving lessons to APSC staff, assisted with logistics Rachel and Anna Rob Wesley-Smith Agricultural scientist, APSC committee member Stayed at APSC house 15-24 February, and elsewhere 20/4-23/4 Helped repair APSC house, and took international visitors and a repaired chainsaw to Remexio

Graeme James Wallis Logistics expert Stayed at APSC house 1/3/01 – approx 15/3/01 Assembled USAid donated filing cabinet that no-one else had been able to put together, assisted with repairs to house and made a report for PAS clinic re their water supply

Emma Watkins Vet Stayed at Bebonok 7/3/01-14/3/01 Had meetings with agricultural and livestock organisations to assess the situation in East Timor. Returned to Dili later in the year as staff of Australian Quarantine Department. For APSCTL she included Samalari village in a test of diseases in animals and was able to give advice to the villagers Jon Lewis Photographer APSCTL arranged for Jon to travel free from Darwin to continue his photo documentation of East Timor and provide training Stuart Highway English teacher Stayed at APSC house and with APSC’s casual gardener Alberto Soares in Fatumeta. 26/3-24/4, 20/7-20/9, 3/10-27/11 Taught English to Dili Youth Centre, OJETIL, Yayasan Hak, FORDEM, Save the Children staff, 1 staff from the National Democratic Institute, Fatumeta community members and APSC staff. Did interpreting and translation in bahasa Indonesian

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Catherine Caruana Lawyer stayed at APSC house 27/3 – 2/4 and elsewhere on a later visit met with legal aid services and advocacy groups, arranged 6 delegates to the Australian Community Legal Services Annual conference in Perth Lance Jones Agriculture teacher Stayed at APSC house1/4 - 25/4 Assisted with house repairs while trying to organise volunteer work Geoff Etches Secretary APSC, Education and ESL organiser Stayed at APSC house 2/8 – 16/8 and elsewhere at other times on a number of visits throughout the year Participated in APSCTL Open Day and NGO operations workshop, organised vehicle repairs for APSC and HOTFLIMA, provided academic English tuition to a number of students, organised post-graduate scholarships for East-West Centre University of Hawaii and helped write a funding proposal for an NGO Marian Corbett ESL teacher Stayed at Bebonok in April and at APSC house in July Participated in APSCTL Open Day, visited Manatuto High School with view to arranging a sister school relationship with St Johns in Darwin, and Venilale school re possibly teaching there Amy Glastonbury Environmentalist, permaculturist, seed saver Stayed at APSC house for 10 weeks April/May/June Amy was an Australian Volunteer with environment NGO Haburas for one year Ray Hayes Public Officer APSC, Community Development Consultant Stayed at APSC house in April Participated in APSCTL Open Day and provided encouragement to APSCTL staff Visited Oecusse Dr Chris Williams Environmentalist Stayed at Bebonok and Atauro 26/4 – 24/5 Assisted Ilana with fundraiser for Moris Foun clinic, advised Haburas and Roman Luan on Atauro on environmental matters Kate Halliday Lawyer Stayed at Beba Sequeira’s house 27/4 for 3 months Worked in advocacy section of Fokupers as a legal consultant, arranged translations of information on domestic violence and support for victims in court. Kate gave a few English lessons to APSC staff Gordon Renouf Lawyer Stayed at Beba Sequeira’s house 21/5-11/6 Gave English lessons to APSC staff. Assisted with writing proposal to send delegates to Community Legal Service Conference in Perth Carey Khasakhala Logistics Stayed at Bebonok May to June From January to June Carey worked with Ilana Eldridge buying cars, spare parts, and sundry equipment in Darwin and arranged freight to Dili, retrieval of the goods through customs and delivery

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Oliver Harvey Lawyer Stayed at Leo and Teresa Barros’s house for 4 weeks in June/July Worked at Liberta legal aid organisation teaching English to staff, explaining and UN rules and regulations (which were in English) and providing general legal and administrative assistance Alison Pearl Music producer, promoter and publicist Stayed at the APSC office July 4/7 – 18/7 Alison met with a number of local NGOs, the East Timorese Cultural Centre and several groups of musicians and individual performers in Dili and in Suai with the goal of seeking performers for recording and/or participation in World Music Festivals Lachlan McKenzie Permaculturist APSC arranged free travel for Lachlan to work with the Permaculture Institute from late July to December Anne Rooke-Frizell Nurse, massage therapist Stayed at APSC house from 4/8 –8/11 Anne, a PALMS volunteer at PAS health clinic for 6 months, moved into APSC house for support because of difficulties with accommodation at clinic. She conducted first aid and physical therapy training at PAS and other centres. At APSC house she cooked dinner every night! Vaughan Williams Music development consultant Stayed at Bebonok and APSC house on a number of visits Brought video projector and large screen to show videos on East Timor to the local population eg in Ainaro, Balibo, Dili. Organised music exchange projects with Darwin Rick Hosking Video maker and tradesman, speaks bahasa Indonesian Rick assisted with office repairs early in the year and trained APSCTL staff in the operation and maintenance of a digital video camera between 22/8 - 24/9 Dr Andrew McNaughtan Convenor Australia-East Timor Association, doctor Stayed at APSC house for 2 weeks over the election period Observed the election and situation in East Timor John Martinkus Journalist, writer Stayed at APSC house and Vila Harmonia over the election period Had Dili launch of his book A Dirty Little War, had photos in a photo exhibition at Xanana Gusmao Reading Room, observed the election and situation in East Timor Meredyth Tansym Writer, activist Stayed at APSC house and Vila Harmonia over the election period observed the election and situation in East Timor and on request of APSC wrote an article about it for an Egyptian newspaper HT Lee Journalist Stayed at APSC house over the election period observed the election and situation in East Timor, had photos in a photo exhibition at Xanana Gusmao Reading Room, investigated situation re asbestos and training in construction and building for CFMEU Gaby ITAid committee member Stayed at APSC house over the election period

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Checked out the ITAid project being supported by the Blue Mountains East Timor support group and observed the election and situation in East Timor Dawn Delaney photojournalist Stayed in APSCTL arranged accommodation in Suai in September Interviewed and photographed women from Group 99 in Matai for a photo exhibition and book on the women of East Timor and traditional tais making. Martin photojournalist from New Zealand visited Suai in September Interviewed families in Suai for a book on the every day life of East Timor. Profits from the book will be returned to the Covalima District Ken Moore Media and IT trainer Stayed at APSC house and Vila Harmonia end of September till early December Taught APSC staff about digital video and scanner use, re-inking print cartridges and printer problems, repaired electrics and cars at the APSC office, volunteered at NGO Forum IT Centre and with IKFET and assisted various other groups and individuals including troubleshooting software problems for UNTAET Dili Lands and Property Marilyn Panichi Lawyer, English teacher Stayed at APSC house and elsewhere in October Taught legal English to Liberta staff Joan Rooke Midwife Stayed at APSC house 3/10-9/10 Visited Moris Foun birthing clinic, helped update funding proposal and link to Australian organisations Phil Bradley Alternative media journalist, activist Stayed at APSC house and at APSCTL office in Suai 17/10 – 19/11 Phil was funded under Trans/actions to develop relationships with like-minded people in East Timor so that alternative media in Australia would have reliable news/info source coming out of ET. Dr Peter Azzopardi Medical doctor APSCTL arranged free travel between Darwin and Dili for Peter to volunteer with Healthnet Maliana for 6 weeks Dec/Jan

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Some of the Problems:

Thieving and prowlers proved an on-going stress. Yes we could understand that we were seen as rich and many of the Timorese had no belongings but it did not make it easy to have jewellery, shoes, clothes, money, binoculars, bicycle, tais, inverter & multimeter for the solar panel….. stolen from the back verandah, clothes line, cars, inside the house… constantly. A couple sleeping on the back verandah had their tent knifed and a hand placed on the woman’s leg, a female staff working late on a computer had a stick thrust through a window onto her back, semen stained paints were thrown though a vent into a female staff’s bedroom, pants were slashed at the crotch, one break-in occurred when 2 young Timorese female staff were in the house alone but fortunately the would-be thieves ran out the front door when they realised the staff had woken. Men looked in windows at every opportunity. Our house was next to a public lane but we did not want to become a fortress so never constructed a 10 foot high cement wall as some other places had. We called CivPol occasionally but they came too late or you couldn’t get through to their one mobile phone and what could they do anyway because we never saw a face for identification and they didn’t know the language or the people in the neighbourhood. One female staff refused to call CivPol after we had heard that a Jordanian member of CivPol was in jail for raping a local woman.

Car and Motorbike breakdowns and repairs seemed to last forever. Our motorbike broke down in April 2001 and by the end of the year despite ongoing efforts was still not fixed. It had moved from mechanic to mechanic, had parts stolen from it, had one thing repaired then it was discovered that another thing needed repairing, the getting of spare parts from Darwin was always a time-consuming process …. Our Holden Jackeroo was knocked around by the difficult conditions in Covalima district and was continually being fixed - one person would start fixing it then leave town, then another….

Local and international staff and volunteers would at times come down with diarrhoea, heat rash, food poisoning, ordinary or cerebral malaria or dengue.

Communicating without having a good knowledge of your workmates language and providing all proposals and information in 2 languages were always challenging

Clashes between “Timorese way” and “NGO good practice” eg use of staff car out of work hours, number of hours worked each day, arriving on time for meetings, filing v tidying up

Clashes between Timorese way and Australian way eg what is rubbish, leaves or plastic?, closing lids on jars tightly v loosely, being gracious v being honest or argumentative….

Early in 2001 APSCTL was asked by Australian Volunteers International if they would like to apply for a large grant from AusAID with AVI as the monitoring body. This was successful and APSCTL were allocated AUD100,000 for a year. But local staff decided they had been unfairly done by in amount of wages they had been allocated in the budget. This corresponded with an anti-malai (foreigner) feeling around Dili as well. APSCTL wanted to assert themselves more and lack of language made communication at a deeper level difficult so a meeting re wage issues between APSCTL staff and adviser with Alice Carrascalao from NGO Forum as interpreter. After negotiation with our monitoring body AVI the wages were increased and a level of peace was restored.

Filing cabinets donated by USAid at the end of 2000 were poorly made in Indonesia and the assembly of them defeated us for some months until Australian visitor Graeme Wallis finally managed in March. They still do not hold files well.

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Conclusions Assessment of APSC and APSCTL’s Impact:

APSC and APSCTL provided extensive support to the establishment and operations of numerous local grassroots NGOs

We formed a good reputation and working relationship with them

Women’s NGOs in Suai were given special attention

All NGOs benefited to varying degrees, some no longer requiring assistance, others wanting further support with funding proposals, finding equipment and with NGO management and operations

APSCTL local staff developed skills in NGO operations

APSC used more resources than expected on establishing the Dili office but there was no alternative as we needed an efficient base

Assessment of Sustainability:

The increase in knowledge, skills, materials and funding for APSC/TL and all recipient NGOs will have ongoing benefits for Timor

APSC/TL receives some income from use of its resources but as yet cannot charge small local NGOs for its services so will continue to need funding support for some time

APSCTL’s name has become more well-known and requests for APSCTL’s services continue to be strong

APSCTL local staff have made international particularly Australian contacts that will benefit and support the organisation and other NGOs for many years

Assessment of Strengths And Weaknesses: Strengths of APSCTL

mobile and works with NGOs outside of Dili

able to resource materials, funding and international volunteers for Timorese NGOs

able to teach about requirements of funding bodies, use of computers and English

an all women NGO

Weaknesses of APSCTL

APSCTL staff, both international and local, are still learning relevant skills and NGO “good practice”

Staff are still developing the confidence to carry out formal training

Identification Of Lessons Learned:

Skills in NGO operations, new language skills and learning to drive take a long time to learn

Predicting costs and writing a tight budget is a constant learning process

“Timorese way” and NGO “good practice” can be difficult to combine eg staff working hours

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Funders

The Asia Pacific Support Collective Management Committee and staff and Asia pacific Support Collective Timor-Leste wish to thank the following funding agencies for their financial and material support for our activities:

Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)

Department For International Development (DFID) from Britain

United States Agency for International Development (USAid)

Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)

Without them of course we would not have been able to operate to the extent that we did

Participating in the rebuilding of a new nation in the first two years of the new millennium was an exciting and exhausting experience. Darwin activists, well known for the constancy of their demonstrations supporting self-determination for East Timor, showed their adaptability in working in the quite different field of community development. We did not work with the big names or UNTAET or the Timorese transitional government, we worked with grassroots NGOs and met an array of determined and innovative Timorese who all had their stories of terror and bravery from pre-referendum but who were now showing more adaptability than we could even blink at by rebuilding their homes and possessions, tracing missing relatives and setting up new organisations starting out with only their dreams and visions for the future. An experience none of us will ever forget. Jude Conway March 2002

55

Appendix 1 APSC and APSCTL Staff

2000-2001 Jude Conway, BA (Mathematics and Psychology), Graduate Diplomas in Education and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Jude has worked as a high school Mathematics and Computer teacher, a computer programmer and in research before she moved to community development. She has managed a Neighbourhood Centre in Newcastle and the finances for NT Environment Centre. In 1991 Jude was a co-founder of Australians for a Free East Timor in Darwin. In 1997 Jude became office manager of the East Timor International Support Center in Darwin where she managed the finances and a number of projects as well as running the office. She can speak intermediate Bahasa Indonesia and Tetun. Jude is the Director of APSC and adviser to APSCTL

Beba Sequeira is a university trained teacher of mathematics and administration. Beba is from Samalari village in the Baucau region and has also lived in Ermera. Beba, who is married with 3 children, speaks Tetun, Indonesian, Macassae, some Portuguese and English. She has had NGO Management training and is now studying management at tertiary level. Beba is the co-ordinator of APSCTL* specialising in networking with other NGOs and funding bodies

Edith Neto had 3 months computer training in Java, and has completed NGO management training. Edith is from Baucau and speaks Tetun, Indonesian, English and Portuguese. Edith is the logistics officer specialising in driving and organising travel*

Leonor Barros is part of the way through a Bachelor of Education, majoring in English, at the University of East Timor. Leo is from Ainaro and has lived in Maliana and Suai. She speaks Tetun, Indonesian, some Tetun-Terik and some English. She has NGO management and Civic Education training. Leo is the Finance Officer, digital camera expert and occasionally assists with Suai projects*

Teresa Barros is part of the way through a Bachelor of Social and Political Science at the University of East Timor and has completed NGO management training. Teresa is from Ainaro and has lived in Maliana. She speaks Tetun, Indonesian, English and some Portuguese. Teresa is the Project Officer assisting with writing funding proposals, translations and interpreting*

56

Gizela de Carvalho has worked on a project with the Edmund Rice mobile clinic teaching children about health. She is from Dili and speaks Tetun, Indonesian, English and Portuguese. Gizela is an accomplished musician and with her group Lirio performed in festivals in Victoria in December 2000. She has studied computers at the NGO Forum and learnt how to use a video at APSCTL. She is now studying English Education at the University of East Timor.

Gizela is Documentation Officer ie she videos activities as well as interpreting and translating* Titi Amaral has had teacher training in Baucau and practical experience in Samalari her home village. She speaks Tetun, Indonesian, Macassae, English and some Portuguese. She has NGO management and Civic Education training. Titi is the Civic Education Officer working mainly through the NGO Forum where she is one of very few women trainers* Lee Kirk, 25, is a grassroots human rights and environmental activist. Lee was the

communicator between the aboriginal community and the organisers of the anti-uranium blockade at Kakadu for 7 months in 1998. In 1999 Lee organised and participated in a Women’s Delegation to East Timor in the pre-referendum period. Lee has returned to East Timor to work with and support Timorese women particularly in the Suai region. Lee is experienced in the use of computers and internet and searching for funding. Lee speaks fluent Tetun and basic

Indonesian. Lee was Suai Project Officer for 6 months in 2000 and again in 2001. In 2002 Lee is studying Community Development at Victoria University. Ilana Eldridge, 36, a former journalist with the ABC has worked with environmental and women’s rights NGOs in Australia and in Thailand i.e. Australian Trust for Conservation Volunteers as Program Manager for the Northern Territory, Dawn House Women’s Refuge as a Domestic Violence Intervention Worker and the Asian Cultural Forum on Development (ACFOD). Ilana’s involvement in East Timor spans 10 years and since independence, she has played an active role in procuring assistance, hardware and operational support for East Timorese NGOs, initially those involved in media, now broadening into assistance for community health organisations, small business and community income generation. Ilana is experienced in the use of computers and internet and has some Tetun. Ilana is a longtime member of Australians for a Free East Timor in Darwin. Ilana was joint director of APSC from its beginnings to June 2001. In 2002 Ilana is based in Zanzibar.

Ilda Camoes, worked for 5 years in administration in Java. She is from Los Palos and speaks Tetun, Fatalucu, Indonesian and English. Ilda has completed Business Planning training with ILO. She was the finance officer for APSCTL in 2001.

57

Felijada de Jesus our cook and housekeeper provided excellent lunches for our staff and volunteers in 2001 plus kept the office and house clean and tidy .

Azzinia Gusmao was our cook and housekeeper in 2000.

Damien Heath has studied 2 years Resource Environmental Management, a 1 year Certificate in bush regeneration, a computer layout and design course, plus is self-taught in many other aspects of computer use. He is an anti-uranium activist who became interested in East Timor through his friend Lee Kirk. He volunteered with APSC in 2000 for one month in Suai then worked with APSCTL in Suai for 2½ months in 2001, teaching computer skills and assisting generally eg with immunising pigs. He has basic Tetun.

Sam de Silva is a computer scientist who has worked for 6 years in internet related projects - mostly community and arts oriented. Sam, originally from Sri Lanka, has travelled widely providing media and technological support. He worked with APSC in early 2000 and is now completing his Masters degree researching digital surveillance techniques.

58

APSC Management Committee 2000-2001

Ray Hayes, Public Officer

Community development consultant, writer A founder of Australians for a Free East Timor in Darwin in 1991 Many years experience in community development in Aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, degree in history and politics

Geoff Etches, Secretary (resigned Feb 2002)

Mental health worker, degree in psychology, ESL certificate, skilled in program design and evaluation, needs analysis and training/education. supporter of East Timor. Moved from Perth to Darwin specifically to work for East Timor Rob Wesley-Smith, Committee member Tropical agricultural scientist, home handyman, activist for East Timor since 1975, a founder of Australians for a Free East Timor in 1991

Emma King, Committee member

Journalist, editor, anti-militarism organiser, East Timor activist, feminist Due to the small size of APSC, international staff also took on management committee roles - Jude Conway as treasurer and Ilana Eldridge and Lee Kirk as committee members

59

Appendix 2

MY TIME IN TIMOR LORO-SAE, WHERE I WORKED AS A

VOLUNTEER FOR POLYCLINICA PAS, ORGANISED BY THE

APSC. JUNE 2000 Fiona MacDonald. MBBS, DRANZCOG, FRACGP. Medical Officer, Danila Dilba Medical Service.

PAS stands for Prontu Atu Servi (Tetum for Ready to Serve) and pas means peace in Tetum and is a Timorese Non Government Organisation ( NGO).

APSC is the Asia Pacific Support Collective, an Australian-based NGO. Acknowledgements: My thanks to Pat Anderson and the staff and committee of Danila Dilba for their support of me in this venture – including, but by no means only, granting me the time to do it

to Ilana Eldridge for making this happen to Edith, Beba Sequeira, Jude Conway, Leo, Theresa, Hilde and Titi for being so warm, friendly and helpful to me in Dili to Azinia for her cooking to Maria Dias, who as well as being a wonderful nurse to work with, is an inspiring woman who welcomed me to her organisation to her staff at Clinic PAS – Domingos ( who I wish well in his medical career), Monica, Javita, Adelaide, Jacob, Mattheo, Jose, Abelio, etc, etc. and to my translators, Francisco, Adelina and especially Jose Pereira, without whom I would have been totally useless. My Arrival: I arrived on the United Nations Hercules – every bit as noisy, bumpy and different as I had been warned – and was met at the airport by Kerry, Leo and Hilde, three women from the APSC. Kerry was another volunteer from Australia, Leo and Hilde local trainees. As we drove through Dili to the APSC office I was unable to decide what was the more obvious – the destruction or the rebuilding. Everywhere were blackened shells of houses and lived-in houses with no windows and smoke stains covering the walls and burnt out cars, many overturned. There were also building teams pulling burnt, twisted metal out of many of the houses, houses with roofs and window shutters of flimsily put together burnt roofing tin, roads crowded with cars, handcarts, bicycles and pedestrians, and small stalls everywhere selling everything, as in so much of Asia. After only one Wet Season, at least in Dili, and, at least for those with any money, there were fresh fruit and vegetables for sale everywhere. The living conditions at the APSC house-cum-office were basic. Livable accommodation was at an absolute premium, and they had managed to rent this house with the proviso they do some renovations. All the furniture (and there was not much) was cheap plastic and we slept on mattresses on the floor. In many ways it resembled the share houses of my youth, with people coming and going and dropping in and no furniture and a few posters on the walls. However, instead of a television (which someone had always managed to obtain somehow) there was a desktop and three laptop computers and here they employed an

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excellent cook. (I returned to Australia a month later feeling really healthy, the result of a month of eating fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and rice and Portugese- style bread for breakfast). The next day I went to the clinic with Jose, my interpreter for much of my time in Timor. I met Maria Dias, the director, who asked if I would be able to travel to the island of Atauro for a clinic in two days time, and then went to the clinic itself. I was expecting an introductory day, but was asked could I please start work immediately. The Clinic: Policlinica PAS was established in 1996, during the clandestine times by Maria Dias, a nun, a nurse and a resistance worker and Alex Gusmao, a teacher and resistance worker, to provide medical help to Timorese students injured in the pro-independence riots, who were unable to seek treatment from the Indonesian hospitals as they would be captured and tortured. Its work soon spread to assisting Falantil soldiers and to providing medical care to the very poor, who were unable to pay for any treatment. PAS still provides free medical care, including medications, to those in need. Maria Dias and all her staff are volunteers, though she has just received funding from a Dutch NGO to pay them for the next year. Most support comes through the Catholic Church.There is a medical student who works there as a doctor and another medical student that Maria expects to work at PAS on completion of his training in Indonesia. She employs about six nurses, one midwife and other ancillary staff. They currently operate out of a tiny clinic with no running water and only one consulting room. They do have accommodation for people who are in Dili for operations, tuberculosis treatment or other medical reasons. There are plans for a much bigger clinic with birthing facilities, treatment rooms and a small inpatient section. Maria also plans to establish clinics in the two remote villages of Atekru, on the island of Atauro, and Com, in the far east of Timor. The first two days in the clinic were extremely difficult and I was relieved that they were morning clinics only. I was working with a Timorese nurse/midwife – she saw half the patients and I saw half. We shared the same desk. After the first day, I also worked with a Timorese medical student who had been unable to finish his studies in Indonesia because Timor Loro-sae had become an independent country. However in my last week there he found out that he had received support and a scholarship from Bishop Belo sufficient to be able to resume his studies in Java at which he was very, very happy. Not knowing the language, the clinic set-up, the Timorese health system, the referral system, the patients’ expectations, not having any ability to investigate (no x-rays, no pathology, not even urinalysis or an otoscope), in general not having any idea as to what was going on, was really hard. The reward was how pleased everyone, both staff and patients, was that a doctor had chosen to come as a volunteer from Australia and work with them – even if I felt useless. That I worked with Aboriginal people was also seen as a bonus. I am uncertain as to why, but I think it was a mix of pan-indigenous sentiment and assuming, correctly, that I was used to working in a cross-cultural environment, under difficult conditions. There were many problems being the only non-Timorese person in a Timorese organisation, including language, but I felt that the advantages certainly outweighed the disadvantages. Timorese control of their own health care and Timorese delivery of these services is so important. Luckily, most people were not seriously ill. There seemed to be very little chronic disease though, with only a blood-pressure cuff, it was hard to tell. Most people came in with coughs and colds and received a diagnosis of IPSA (which I think is Indonesian for

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URTI), though the serious differential diagnoses were malaria, dengue and TB. Malaria was diagnosed on history (fever and a bitter taste in the mouth) and was probably, though not inappropriately, overdiagnosed and was treated with chloroquine. While I was there, everyone got better on that regime. Haemorrhagic dengue was diagnosed by a history of fever, bleeding and/or petechiae (I did not see any) and TB on microscopy. However, I saw a couple of cases of very obvious tuberculous adenitis that looked as though they were put on the TB register and treatment program without a microscopic diagnosis. There was no place for Mantoux testing or radiography. Tuberculous adenitis was remarkably common. I saw approximately ten cases of cervical tuberculous adenitis while I was in Timor – I had seen none previously. There were also lots of anaemia, worm and skin infections and pregnancy checks. Even more difficult than the lack of diagnostic equipment, was the expectation of the patients that they would receive a handful of medicines for their coughs. Some people seemed happy with “In Australia, we only use paracetamol for colds as all those other tablets don’t work and in fact can be harmful” or “salbutamol puffers often work much better than tablets for a longstanding cough and I think you should try using one”, but most people wanted the couple of amoxycillen, the couple of paracetamol and the vitamin B6 and iron or whatever else was in stock that they had been used to receiving and the staff were more than happy to keep giving these mixtures, sometimes all ground up together in a mortar and pestle. For the first few days I also practiced like this so as not to disrupt the system too much, but after a few days I felt unable to continue and reverted more to my normal practice. However both the staff and the patients were often unhappy with this. The staff would point out that we would run out of medicines if they gave more than a couple of tablets, including antibiotics, at a time. The exception to this was the very well organised TB program where all those on the program received at least 6 months medication, according to protocols. I think the differences were, because it was the same staff, clear protocols, education about the results of inadequate treatment and the fact that there were lots of big bottles of medicines so the staff knew that they were not going to run short. I hope this will be able to be achieved for other medicines, particularly other antibiotics. The medicines were a mixture of those donated by various aid agencies, often drug company outdated lines, and, very recently, an UNTAET (United Nations Transitional Authority in East Timor) Imprest, which was good, but too basic – for example the only antibiotic syrups were amoxycillen and chloramphenicol. I was disturbed to find chloramphenicol syrup and tablets on the Imprest. UNTAET was meant to regularly re-supply the clinics, but this did not happen when I was there. I wrote for Clinic PAS a supplementary drug list to give to the aid agencies stating that they only wanted the medications on the list . I do not know if this will help. The situation when I left was UNTAET staff were saying that they would not supply clinics that did not use medicines, especially antibiotics, properly and the clinic staff were giving, and asking me to do the same, one or two days of antibiotics, as they were always on the verge of running out of stock. I must stress here that the health system in Timor is changing almost daily and I hope this dilemma is becoming an issue of the past. But there will also have to be major re-education of the Indonesian-trained Timorese medical and nursing staff, as well as patient education, before it is resolved properly. It was also hard not knowing how to refer or investigate and again the Timorese staff were not much help as they had no knowledge of the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) Hospital, or any other health services either, as they had all been established after Independence. I resorted to writing letters in English and asking people to take them to the hospital. I have no idea whether they did or not and if they did what happened.

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I diagnosed one man with hypertension and started him on Moduretic (the other choice was reserpine) and there was a whole box of Moduretic. I hope he managed to come in regularly for checks and more medicine. As there was so little chronic disease, there seemed to be little understanding of, or systems for, how to manage it. But again the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) in Timor is really well run and effective and if this difficult-to-treat disease can be well-managed, there has to be hope for other diseases and medical conditions. This program only funds clinics that treat people appropriately and return complete data to show that this has happened. At Clinic PAS, there was a huge ledger and, most days, one nurse worked only with the TB patients, their medications and the TB recording. There was a microscope at the clinic for diagnosis and staff were able to use it. The main donor to the NTP is Caritas Norway and technical support comes from Caritas Norway (twice a year), WHO Dili and the Centre for Disease control of Territory Health Services in Darwin (approximately twice a month). ASEA (Australia and South East Asia) Rehab, an Australian surgical team based in Darwin, also did a clinic at Clinic PAS while I was there. On this occasion the team included Peter Ridell, a general surgeon, and Marg Fleming, a theatre nurse, from Darwin and they primarily organised plastic surgery (there was a plastic surgeon, Mark Moore, from Adelaide) which they then performed at the ICRC hospital. These visiting specialists were incredibly successful with many operations following from this clinic. The commonest was cleft lip and/or palate repair. Other patients were put on the waiting list for their next visit in October when they hoped to bring an orthopaedic surgeon as well. The Trip to Atauro: This trip was the big adventure of my time in East Timor.

I was asked to be ready to leave at 4 am. Travelling in Timor always starts early. I was picked up at 5 am (the car had broken down), just as dawn was breaking, and was driven to the harbour. There were four of us – Maria Dias, Jacob, a Health Worker, Mattheo, a high school student with an involvement with the clinic, and myself. I later realised that Jacob and Mattheo both came from Atekru, the village in which we held the clinic. I tried to help Jacob and Mattheo with the loading. We were carrying all the medicines for the clinic as well as food and drinking water for a week as Atekru was a poor, subsistence-farming village. However the “ jetty” was a rusted hulk of a sunken ship at a very perilous angle and I nearly slipped into the sea with my first box. So when Mattheo signaled for me not to do any more, I happily agreed and concentrated on getting down into the boat. It was a tiny boat and carrying well over twenty people and all their luggage. It was hard not to think of all the third world ferry disasters that I had heard of, including one on this same run. Initially, it was a beautiful trip. We left the lovely Timor coastline, with the big statue of Jesus at the entrance to Dili harbour, and headed towards the rugged, mountainous island of Atauro. But soon the sea became rougher and rougher and many people began to vomit and I concentrated hard on pretending I was somewhere else – it did not really work, but at least I did not vomit.

Atauro is a small island straight out to sea from Dili. It was used as a prison island by the Indonesians until they abandoned it, I think in the early 1990s, and left it to the famously poor and backwards subsistence farmers who have always lived there. Apparently it is sometimes referred to as the “Kingdom of the Goats” as they are the only living thing that thrive there. There is very little water. It survived the aftermath of the referendum intact, as there were no soldiers or militia there and nothing much to destroy. It is incredibly

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beautiful with soaring mountains and crystal-clear seas. There are now plans to develop it for tourism and the Americans are also interested in building a deep-water nuclear submarine base there. Whatever happens, I hope the superb natural beauty survives.

OIKOS, a Portuguese-based NGO with a Darwin base, runs the clinic in the main village, called simply, Vila. It is staffed by two doctors (currently one is English and the other Italian) with Timorese nurses and ancillary staff and they plan to run outreach clinics in the other villages. There is only one road on the island linking three villages only and it is currently unusable due to a collapsed bridge. All transport is either on foot or by boat. They have no plans to visit Atekru, acknowledged to be the poorest village on Atauro on the far side of the island.

As no-one spoke any English and I do not speak Tetum, Indonesian or Portuguese, I had no idea what was happening. We first went to the United Nations office and hung around there for a while and acquired Francisco, one of their interpreters, who was seconded to us for the week. It was the only time in my trip that I worked with a professional interpreter (even though he had no medical experience) and it made my work so much easier.

Later we caught the boat to Atekru. The tides and the currents were really strong and the boat barely moved. At least there were only five of us on board now and the coast was lovely in the late afternoon light. When we arrived in Atekru, it was dark and there was no moon. The boat had no lights and the village had no lights. The crew shone a weak torch and shouted that we had arrived. Some of what they yelled sounded like “doctora”.

Eventually, a couple of tiny outrigger canoes (room for two oarsmen and one passenger), again with no lights, arrived to transport us to shore. The phosphorescence was magical. I was first to be taken ashore and then had to clamber over the coral reefs (it was low tide) and onto the beach where someone had now lit a fire and waited for the unloading and for everyone to come ashore. It was very beautiful with the villagers rugged up in their sarongs (one man had a big black velvet cape) and the fire and the stars. We were then taken to the church guest-house where we ate and slept the first night, before transferring to the school the next day.

The next day was Sunday and Maria got things organised in the morning. I just hung around and then went snorkeling. I had been advised to buy a mask and snorkel before I left home. The beach was beautiful golden sand, shaded by big trees, and you could see the coral below the sea, then at high tide. It was stunning – gorgeous fish, beautiful coral and steep drop-offs – and when I got out and lay under the trees, Francisco was there, singing and playing guitar.

We held our first clinic in an empty school room. Atekru had a school but no teacher, so the children walked three hours each way over the mountains to the next village. However, there was no privacy and the whole village had turned up to watch the show, so the next day we moved to a grass hut. In three days, I think we saw everyone in the village and many from outlying hamlets. I enjoyed working with Maria, a very talented nurse (in Dili she is busy as the director of the organisation), and Francisco, my interpreter. I also enjoyed the freedom to practice medicine as I wanted (given no pathology, limited medicines, etc) and Maria was interested in my reasoning and what I was trying to do. Again, most people just had coughs and colds, though there were lots of arthritic knees (not surprising given the mountains towering above us) and skin infections, bacterial and fungal, as well as lots of anaemia (I suggested to Maria she

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deworm the whole village on her next trip) and tuberculosis, for which all we could do was give the clinic address in Dili and suggest they go there for supervised treatment.

Another amazing feature of Atekru was that nobody smoked. When I asked why, I was told it was against their religion (Protestant) but I think the real reasons were that these people were really poor and anyway it was a six-hour walk across the mountains to the nearest kiosk. It was a wonderful experience to run busy clinics for three days and see not one smoker.

In between the morning and afternoon clinics, I went snorkeling, ate the lunch that Maria had prepared and slept. After the clinics, Maria went straight to the kitchen and helped the women prepare the food and talked about women’s rights. She was a staunch advocate for girls’ education and the rights of women to live free from violence and prejudice and never lost an opportunity to talk to women about these issues.

We had to run an extra day of clinics at the end in order to see everyone. Afterwards, a village meeting was held. Everyone seemed very happy with how the clinic had gone. Mattheo’s father had donated some land and they were going to try and build a clinic before Maria’s next visit.

When it was finally time to leave the boat did not arrive and I was given the choice of walking over the mountains with the others or waiting for a motorised outrigger to be called from the next village and travel on that. I chose to walk. It was hard – straight up the mountains – but so beautiful – and I did not have to carry anything – and there was a jovial atmosphere. For Maria, carrying her pack through the mountains, was a fun reminder of clandestine times.

After six hours walking, we arrived back at Vila and just missed the Australian Army supply boat and so stayed the night. Maria and I stayed with the doctors in Vila, who had kindly invited us to do so. I spoke in English and Maria in Spanish and we spent a very enjoyable evening.

The next day we caught the boat at 3 am and arrived back home in time for breakfast. It was a much smoother passage and watching the night fade to dawn and then day and the phosphorescence gradually disappear was delightful. I slept all the next day.

Maria is trying to get funding for a Clinic PAS boat to carry people and supplies to and from Atekru.

The rest of my stay:

For the rest of my stay, I worked in the clinic in the mornings and went exploring, often to the lovely beaches, and occasionally doing bits and pieces of office business in the afternoons. I generally went with Edith from APSC, which was always fun.

One day I sat in the clinic with the ASEA Rehab team as they held their clinic prior to their surgical list, mainly cleft lip/palate repairs. There were huge numbers of untreated children and adults with this disability in Timor.

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Another day, I acted as driver on a trip to the beautiful coffee-growing area of Emera in the mountains. Driving in Timor is like driving with Aboriginal people, wherever you are headed there is always a carload of people who both know that you are going and need a lift there. The roads were very steep and narrow but in quite reasonable condition except for the hard-to-see potholes and washouts. Luckily Beba from APSC knew the road really well. We had a delightful lunch at her family’s coffee plantation, which had a stunning garden with oranges, roses, gardenias and all sorts of fruit and flowers. The plantation had been spared by the militia as it would have been too hard to attack in its narrow, steep-walled valley. It was the first house I saw in Timor with proper furniture and which still had family photographs.

Maria also organised a trip to Com. As I had no interpreter, I went primarily as a driver and she discussed her ideas with the villagers at meetings with the chief and with the whole village. Com is another very poor village. It is situated in the far eastern Los Palos region of East Timor, where she plans to set up a clinic. The villagers appeared very excited at this prospect. As the east of the island was a resistance area, everything had been destroyed. Com was a very beautiful fishing village on a long, yellow sand beach, but all the fishing boats had been destroyed, along with all the houses, and there were burnt-out car bodies on the beach. Medicin Du Mondo is the NGO responsible for health care in Los Palos, but again do not have the resources to provide health care to all the villages. As we drove to Com and then to Los Palos to discuss the clinic, evidence of the destruction was everywhere. Less aid had reached the outlying areas and the boats, tractors and other equipment had not been replaced and the houses had not been rebuilt except as grass huts or burnt shells with burnt tin for roofs. On the way we drove past Mt Matebian, where the resistance was based during the clandestine times, and Maria pointed out the area for which she had been responsible for providing food and medicine for Falintil for some of this time.

Everyone in Timor Loro-sae has horrendous stories of what has happened to themselves, their families and their friends over the past twenty five years. However, despite very obvious frustrations with the slowness of change post- Independence and the cumbersome United Nations and NGO bureaucracies, the feelings of hope and the bright plans for the future were very special to observe and be part of.

The future for APSC and Policlinica PAS:

The Asia Pacific Support Collective is a small, newly-established NGO which aims to facilitate grass roots exchanges and action. They organised my placement and provide volunteers to other Timorese NGOs. They help students and others organise scholarship applications, airfares and visas and also channel assistance to Timorese NGOs. APSC is also heavily involved in the rebuilding of the Clinic PAS facilities. In the future, they would like to operate in other centres in the Asia Pacific region.

Polyclinica PAS has changed, as Timor Loro-sae has changed, since its inception in the clandestine times. However, it is still committed to providing quality free health care to those in need, especially the very poor. Hence the establishment of clinics in Atekru and Com and the development of its Dili facilities. The staff, all Timorese, are dedicated to their people’s health and well being and would like to be able to deliver more and better services.

Any help to either organisation would be appreciated so they can continue their good work and doctors, nurses or other health professionals who would like to work at Clinic PAS will be very welcomed. ….