Timor-Leste is just 640km north-west of Darwin, and one of Australia’s closest neighbours. Centuries of conflict, violence and oppressive colonial rule continue to affect all areas of life in the country.

Timor-Leste was colonised by the Portuguese in 1695, and remained under Portuguese rule for 275 years. An invasion by the Japanese in World War Two decimated the population. After just ten days of gaining independence in 1975, neighbouring Indonesia invaded the country. They established new laws that removed people from their land and forced them to either flee to the mountains or live in coastal compounds.

During the first four years of Indonesian rule more than 200 000 people lost their lives.

Since gaining independence in 1999, Timor- Leste remains one of the youngest countries in the world, but economically it’s also one of the poorest. Estimates from the United Nations indicate that nearly half of the population lives on less than US $1 per day. Education and basic health care out of reach for many, and a history of violence and conflict continue to pervade every area of life.

It is in these most trying of circumstances that UnitingWorld is continuing to stand in solidarity with the Protestant Church in Timor-Leste (IPTL) by increasing their capacity to serve people who in many cases have spent their entire living in conflict and poverty.

Food security and health care

The R elief and Development Unit of UnitingWorld is working closely with the IPTL through their development agency, Fundasaun Sosial Naroman (FUSONA) to assist farmers to increase their capacity to produce crops.

Efficient farming in Timor-Leste can be prohibitively expensive, meaning that food shortages are a reality that many face on a daily basis. This partnership is enabling farmers to access more modern motorised crop turners. By increasing their income and food output, health care and education become accessible for people who are poor, while disease and malnutrition levels also decrease.

The church in Timor-Leste also plays a vital role in providing local communities with a quality health care. The five dedicated staff of the Lospalos health clinic, one of two run by the ITPL, typically treats up to 180 patients per day, mostly children suffering malaria, malnutrition, and tuberculosis. This program is currently working to expand preventative health care through travelling mobile health clinics in five remote communities, increasing the efficiency of the two main clinics.

Training a new generation of Church leaders

Many church leaders lost their lives in the fight for independence. The leaders that survived were required to be strong and resilient as they traversed the country to provide ministry to the people of T imor-Leste.

The ‘Onwards in Ministry’ course is providing much-needed ministry training for church founders, while also training a future generation of leaders.

Alberto da Costa Ximenes, a minister from Baucau located 122 kms east of Dili, is deeply appreciative for UnitingWorld’s in training for ministry. While reflecting back on his last workshop, Alberto proudly said, “We are now finding a new methodology for leading the Church from the Indonesian time to this time. I thank the Uniting Church in Australia for your support of us through this course”.

Engaging locally to build for the future

But these transformations don’t always have to come about as part of a large program. In fact, change can come about from the dedicated actions of just one person, like Ian Laversha.

Ian is a UnitingWorld Experience volunteer from Traralgon, Victoria, is assisting the IPTL by training staff in effective office and financial management. By training local staff to efficiently manage their affairs, Ian will increase the capacity of the IPTL to serve the people who are most in need.

Connecting communities for peace

UnitingWorld’s growing relationship with the Protestant Church in Timor- Leste will soon be taken to exciting new levels when the first Peacemaking workshop will train Church leaders to resolve conflict peacefully.

“Since gaining independence ten years ago, people in Timor-Leste are struggling to make the transition from conflict to peace,” said UnitingWorld’s Associate Director for Church Solidarity, Rev. John Barr, who has worked closely with the IPTL for many years.

“Many people in Timor-Leste were born into and grew up in this very tense situation. In many cases, it’s almost expected that violence in the answer to solving disputes. This is why the Peacemaking workshop in Dili is so important. When church leaders have skills effective ways to stem conflict, this benefits entire communities.”

The Peacemaking programs of UnitingWorld spread peace in areas on conflict, paving the way for much-needed development. Click here to read more about our Peacemaking programs.

Long-haul engagement

Timor-Leste is on a long road to recovery after decades of conflict, and centuries of colonial occupation.

By tackling poverty and increasing Church leadership as part of our close engagement with the IPTL, our close partnership with the the church in Timor-Leste will enable us to effectively address the issues the church faces. Long-term engagement that embodies a genuine mutual partnership is the key to seeing justice reign and people empowered in Timor-Leste.