Rotarians Helping Timor

The tireless efforts of two Timorese Rotarians are bringing supplies, sanitary solutions and smiles to those in need on this young island nation.

Mario DeJesus and Judite Martins, of the Rotary Club of Dili, Timor-Leste, run the small but vital program Rotarians Helping Timor.

A major component of their work is accepting sea containers full of goods from Australia for distribution to people in Timor-Leste. They have an agreement with a business in Dili, which allows them to hire a truck, forklift and drivers at a discounted price to remove the containers from the wharf and unload and store them at their premises, free of charge.

This huge effort is managed within three days of the container landing at the wharf, in order to save a large daily holding fee. Mario and Judite then distribute donated goods to the many people, groups, schools and others in need throughout Timor-Leste.

The Rotary Club of Melbourne, Vic, helps to cover administration and removal costs to support Mario and Judite’s efforts.

Judite has additionally become an advocate and trainer for the Days for Girls program, which provides quality menstrual care solutions to women who otherwise may be excluded from education and employment. She works with schools in Dili and Bacau to promote the program and provide instruction. She has already helped distribute around 700 kits to students with support from Days for Girls groups in Australia, with plans in place to extend the program to Atauro Island next year.

Judite also liaises with groups in Dili and Bacau that are making Days for Girls kits to sell to women outside the age limit to receive a free kit. This involves ensuring the quality of kits is maintained and proper education for use of the kits is provided.

Mario has taken on the role of managing the ROMAC program in Timor. He liaises with families of children and medical officers and coordinates the paperwork, including passports, customs declarations, airfares and transport to ensure the children arrive at their allocated destination. So far, Mario had organised for 20 children to travel to Sydney, Melbourne and New Zealand under the ROMAC umbrella.

Mario and Judite also assist with the Timor-Leste Leavers Experience, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Margaret River, WA, and the Lions Clubs of Augusta, Cowaramup and Margaret River, which sees graduates travel to the islands for a combination of adventure and service. Mario and Judite have assisted with transport to and from Atauro and Bacau and arranged accommodation and transport around Dili. They have further helped identify potential projects in Timor-Leste in need of support for inclusion in future trips.

Tireless in their service to the community, in 2018 they organised a Christmas party for orphans and disadvantaged children at Timor Lodge, with almost a thousand children and families showing up to experience the fun.

In recognition of the work they do, the Rotary Club of Margaret River held a special dinner in their honour, where Mario and Judite were presented with a Paul Harris Fellow.

By Lynne Warren

Rotary Club of Margaret River, WA