

Watch our brief project video below
The History of Loreto Gari-uai Pre-Primary School and Community Centre
Timor-Leste, located over 400 kilometres north of Australia, is one of the least developed countries in the world, with basic health, literacy and income levels similar to sub-Saharan Africa.
Over the past decade, the newly independent country has travelled down the path of reconciliation as part of the healing process trying to recover from its violent and traumatic history. Most Timorese live in rural areas and many households have insufficient food to feed themselves all year round. According to UNICEF two thirds of the population are under the age of 25, approximately 40% of children are malnourished and more than 58% of the population is illiterate. With so many young children in need of education the school system is simply under-resourced.
The Loreto Sisters along with MWIA are committed to addressing the lack of educational opportunities facing the Timorese people in the remote area of Gari-uai by building the first Loreto Pre-Primary School in Timor-Leste. The interim Pre-Primary school opened on 1 June 2015 in a refurbished community building, and today the school operates from a newly purpose-built building.
Seventy children attend the Pre-Primary school on a regular basis. In 2018, the Community Centre commenced adult classes and regular health clinics were held.
The path to realising this dream began in 2002 following an invitation from the Superior General to all Loreto Provinces asking them to have the courage to move to new places to “take some risks, however small, in moving out from safe and familiar situations” to places that would benefit their work.
Currently Loreto Sisters, Margie Bourke, Selvi Adaikalam, Margaret Mary Flynn and Nguyen Ai Thien are living in Timor-Leste.
From the outset this has been a community–based project, centred on educating the children of Gari-uai. Now the parents and the whole community are benefiting from adult education and employment. There is hope for a brighter future for generations to come.
Loreto Sisters Natalie Houlihan and Diaan Stuart ibvm were part of the team helping to build the first Loreto Primary School in Timor Leste.
Loreto Ostico Building Project
Project overview
The project’s goal is to enhance educational initiatives in the village of Ostico through the construction of a Community Centre and a Loreto Sisters’ residence, further enabling the Loreto Sisters in their long-lasting commitment to the people of Timor-Leste.
The Loreto Sisters have faithfully served the people of Timor-Leste since 2006. Having successfully built a pre-school and a community development centre in Gari-Uai, they now plan to assist a neighbouring village, Ostico. With an estimated population of 1700, there is no other development agency or government group helping this village.
Loreto Sisters’ Residence
It is characteristic of Loreto Sisters to live in simple dwellings among the people they serve, rather than in large enclosed convents. Having a permanent home in Ostico will enable the Loreto Sisters to participate in the life of the community and make a lasting contribution to its educational, spiritual and human development. The building will provide a permanent residence for up to 8 people – Loreto Sisters and young Timorese women interested in joining them in their mission. The residence is vital in cementing the ongoing commitment of Loreto to the people of Timor-Leste, ensuring there are enough qualified and competent people to support development projects that enable the people of Ostico to access education, health, clean water, employment and basic human rights.
Community Centre
The people of Ostico have had limited educational opportunities, resulting in a high illiteracy rate and limited capacity for work other than subsistence agriculture. This project is an essential first step in enabling the Loreto Sisters to address some of the acute needs of the Ostico community, commencing with education.
The benefits of a Community Centre include:
- a permanent space providing opportunities for inclusive and equitable quality learning
- a space where community events and meetings can be held
- a base for volunteers to reside when participating in community and educational activities
Project activities
- Build a 4-bedroom Loreto Sisters’ residence
- Build a Community Centre that incorporates:
– two rooms for local community use
– two classrooms
– an office
– five bedrooms with ensuites for volunteer/visitor accommodation
– a kitchen
– various storage rooms, garage and laundry
Join us today in making a sustainable difference to communities in need.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PROJECT SUMMARY FLYER
Of Our ostico building project