MWIA makes a difference in Timor-Leste

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 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

Mary Ward International Australia thanks the Noel and Carmel O’Brien Family Foundation for their generous support of this project.

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

Australia

MWIA is committed to supporting Indigenous Australians, giving hope and empowerment.

India

MWIA has been supporting our Loreto Sisters and their projects in India since inception. We work hard to continue our commitment to India in an attempt to foster sustainable change amongst so many people who need our help.

Kenya

In Kenya, our Loreto Sisters work with the Stop Female Genital Mutilation Campaign to educate women, men and community leaders about the dangers of this harmful cultural practice. We also provide quality tertiary education to two orphans from the Nyumbani Village.

Peru

In Peru, the Loreto Sisters have worked and lived in Jicamarca, Peru for over 15 years. In partnership with the Jesuits and the local community, the Sisters established a primary and secondary school. Tailoring workshops have now also been established, encouraging women to gain employment and start their own business.

South Sudan

The Loreto Mission in Rumbek, South Sudan has assisted the Maker Keui community through the provision of education, health and employment. This project will improve the standards of personal hygiene of 1477 primary and secondary school students and young women studying in Loreto Schools, Rumbek.

Timor-Leste

Sitting on Australia’s doorstep is Timor-Leste, one of the least developed countries in the world. Join MWIA in raising much needed funds to support communities in the remote villages of the Baucau district.

Vietnam

Loreto Vietnam focuses on early childhood and primary education providing a strong foundation for future learning and development. MWIA also currently supports educational scholarships ensuring students have the resources and support to complete tertiary education. MWIA is proud to assist female students to attend university and create a brighter future.

Zambia

MWIA provides funds to the Baby Milk Project in Zambia where it is estimated there are more than one million orphans whose mothers have died in childbirth or from HIV/AIDS. We also work to improve the lives of local students by providing them with scholarships in the district of Lukulu.

Timor-Leste

The History of Loreto Gari-uai Pre-Primary  School and Community Centre