BOCOSSE - The model Sustainable Village

BOCOSSE

Our trip to Bocosse, took us along the coast West of Oecusse town and provided an opportunity to see the bridge being built across the Tono River, first hand. It will ensure that the river can be crossed in the rainy season.

 

Unfortunately these large-scale ZEEMS projects employ little local contractors or labour and few skills are being leant by the East Timorese

Bocosse Village:

We felt most welcome at Bocousse because Judy, Luis and the team had done so much work over the years with various projects.

BIO SAND FILTERS

It was extremely gratifying to hear of the great improvement of the health throughout the village, especially with children due to the BioSand filters and the resulting availability of clean water.

Judy explained she read widely on water purification methods and adapted the design of the BioSand filters from a very old principle and a work done by group who had put together much smaller ones in the US.

BioSand water filters are simple to use and virtually maintenance free. 

Bocosse is the jewel in the crown of the Sustainable Village concept that Judy, Luis and the team have made possible.

Having build wells around the village and encouraged the use of BioSand filters to render the water safe to drink, the availability of electricity has added a new dimension to everything.......

For a few hundred dollars to buy a pump and pipe and install 

VOLIA - WATER FROM A TAP

This has added a whole new dimension to village life with agriculture, sustainable vegetable gardens and growing seeds as part of the deal

Even a cleverly designed seed propagation tray- it helps to prevent backache by being built at waist height.

We also saw the local petrol station.

The area around Bocosse is a major rice-growing district, and irrigation concepts such as this should directly translate into increased yields

It was a great experience seeing a self-sufficient  community that are now setting a most practical example for surrounding villages.