Why Timor:
A number of Sydney Rotary clubs have supported projects in East Timor over the years . When the possibility of visiting East Timor was floated five Rotarians went there to see what is happening and gain a first hand impression of the situation.
Our reasons for going were simple:
- Gain better understanding of the needs of the people.
- Give what the people want , not what we think they want (only then can we provide effective assistance)
- See what the funds previously raised had been used for
- Start a Friendships association between Rotary and peoples of a remote village.
Rotary Projects outside Australia:
Rotary Australia World Community Service Limited (RAWCS) is a limited company formed to support Australian Rotarians & Rotary Clubs assisting disadvantaged communities and individuals with humanitarian aid projects,
Why Oecusse:
Rotary Clubs in District 9685 have made donations and given support to Oecusse in East Timor. This has
been directed over there through Judy Charnaud and local team. Judy is program
manager of a NGO called OzGREEN, which works closely with an affiliated NGO
called Green TL (Green Timor Leste) and the local Director, Luis Armando.
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| Luis and Judy at a meeting in a village in Oecusse |
Judy, a Rotarian with the E-club of Sydney,
has lived in Oecusse, and enclave in East Timor for many months each year since
2001. Whenever Judy gets back to Sydney, she has updated many of the Rotary
Clubs on the work that Green TL has undertaken.
East Timor & Oecusse
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Oecusse is an enclave, surrounded by Indonesian territory on the East, West and South and the Savu Sea to the NorthThe magnificent 5    |
On Sunday July 17 we flew Dili via Darwin and stayed overnight,
 Sunset over Dili Harbour
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Oecusse Onward:
The next morning we were off to Oecusse.. The rugged mountainous landscape with very thin coastal strip became very apparent.
Oecusse was the landing place of the Portuguese
just over five hundred years ago. It is an area of 814 Square kilometers –about
two -thirds the size of metropolitan Sydney and divided into four Sub
districts. The main one, Pante Macassar,
is commonly referred to as Oecusse town. The whole of Oecusse has a population
of just over 65 thousand people, however current population estates say it will
be double that by the year 2025.
When we landed at Oecusse airport, the
extent of the numerous projects being undertaken by Special Zones of Economic
Management - pronounced ZEEMS in the local language, lead by the first elected Prime
Minister, Dr. Mari Alkatiri was immediately apparent.
This huge undertaking and massive
investment; and tremendous self-promotion with signage;
includes:
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| New Runways for large jets. |
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| Power station and transmission thought the region |
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| 4 lane roads with large stormwater drainage stretching well beyond city limits. |
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| Irrigation and dam projects |
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| Duty free port and ocean resort |
Sporting facilities and golf courses.
Even the one year old, seven million dollar
plane is owned by ZEEMS - not leased.
The whole economic zone covers a large area
of Pante Macassar.
The Petroleum Fund provides over 90% of Government revenue yet the oil will run out by 2025.
Much debate is occurring on whether the
work ZEEMS is performing and planning is correct. The huge amount of
expenditure, the level of development and how appropriate it is under much
attack.
