Timor-Leste our neighbour is one of the poorest countries in the world.  It was devastated during the Indonesian occupation from 1975 to 2000 with 70% of its infrastructure destroyed and 20% of its population murdered.  The Australian Army together with other forces helped to restore stability in Timor-Leste during a destructive withdrawal by the Indonesian army. This occurred after Timorese voted by a large majority for independence in a UN supervised referendum in 1997.

 

Foreign aid and support from Charitable organisations, Rotary and Local Governments are helping the Timorese establish their nation as well as assisting those living in abject poverty.

 

My wife and I visited Timor-Leste during September on a Rotary trip to find ways assistance can be given.  It was an amazing experience.  The generosity of the Timorese, their focus on nation building, a lack of debilitating bitterness and their determination to build relationships with neighbouring countries such as Australia and Indonesia was impressive.  Rotary was present throughout the country assisting with projects that were led and carried out by Timorese.  

The need is great.  Many rural villages live only off what they can produce from the land and in many villages there is no electricity and lack of clean water.