East Timor is a country of contrasts: sorrow and joy, tragedy and hope, economic poverty and natural wealth. For many years, the country was torn apart by conflicts as powers from within and from outside struggled for control of this small nation. These conflicts left East Timor devastated: entire villages had been massacred; few buildings remained after the looting and burning. But the conflicts could not destroy the spirit of the people. Today, East Timor is becoming a shining example of a country on the path to recovery.

But the people of East Timor have an uphill battle. Besides the physical and emotional wounds, the people need to overcome overwhelming poverty and a lack of education. According to a recent survey, nearly half the population has never attended school. Although primary school is free, the costs of secondary school are extremely prohibitive, often costing as much as 40 to 45 percent of the household income.

In order to help ensure the East Timorese path to recovery, the Canossian Sisters strengthened their presence in the country, and the first VOICA Volunteers arrived in 2003. Among the services provided through the Canossian missions are education for all ages, skills training, health services, agricultural development, and youth ministry. The Sisters are currently working at ten missions in the areas of Dili and Baucau.

VOICA volunteers have assisted at three of the missions. In Comoro, part of the diocese of Dili, volunteers have taught English, math, music and etiquette at the Canossian College and the Secondary School. One of the volunteers has even taught kindergarten using Tetum, the local language. In Ossu, part of the diocese of Baucau, volunteers have taught at a secondary school and worked at the Canossian Foundation for Development Programs to create new opportunities for service in Timor. In Baucau, two Volunteers serve as teachers in the ‘Country Teachers Programme’, a set of course put up to help women develop their knowledge and skills.

VOICA will soon be expanding its presence at the Canossian missions in East Timor. Among the most pressing needs are for professional teachers, particularly for Portuguese (the official language of East Timor) and such sciences as chemistry and physics.

Comoro

Ossu (2004)