Projects
Cr Andy Ingham Aileu Scholarship Program
Cr Andy Ingham was a Councillor with the Brunswick and Moreland City Councils and involved in local government for over 20 years, until his death in July 2001.
Cr Ingham had a passion for East Timor and a desire to support this new nation in establishing peace, independence and happiness for its people. In particular, Cr Ingham highlighted his desire to help with improving the training, education and capacity building opportunities for young and not so young people of East Timor.
Andy was the inaugural Chairman of the Friends of Aileu, and visited the Aileu District in April 2000.
The Friends of Aileu Community Committee and the Councils of Hume and Moreland wanted to commemorate his tireless work and our fond memories of Cr Ingham in a project that produces tangible, sustainable outcomes for the people of East Timor. This led to the establishment of a fund to provide tertiary scholarships for students from Aileu to undertake studies in Timor-Leste.
Scholarship holders
In 2003–04, seven scholarships were awarded. The students' courses included engineering, physics, computer science and languages.
By 2007–08, the number of scholarship holders had been increased to 21 and the range of courses studied expanded to include agriculture, business management, electrical engineering, petroleum management, and law.
Secondary Scholarship Program
Hume City Council in 2004 decided to make available ten scholarships for students in Aileu attending junior secondary school who wished to proceed to senior high school but whose parents were too poor to pay for their education. The students, who were nominated by the Aileu Commission on the advice of school principals and the education authorities in Aileu, were chosen because of their academic potential. The program has been continued, and in 2008-09, it is expected that ten scholarships will again be made available.
Employment of an Volunteer Project Worker
In 2007, Friends of Aileu employed an Australian Volunteers International Volunteer project worker, Chris Adams, to work with the District Administration to assist with the planning and implementation of projects funded by Friends of Aileu and partner organisations in Aileu.
Since arriving in Aileu in November 2007, Chris has been closely involved in the Timor-Leste government's decentralisation program and also the planning of the 2008 Dili Friendship Conference. See also letters from Chris Adams 2007 (DOC 39Kb) and 2008 (DOC 39Kb).
Solar Lighting Project
Since 2004, Friends of Aileu has been working with the Alternative Technology Association to install solar lighting systems in public buildings in the Aileu District. With funding from Friends of Aileu, and from some partner organisations, Alternative Technology Association volunteers have installed over 20 solar systems.
The most ambitious project undertaken is a scheme to provide solar powered lighting to every household in the Besilau village, which is being supported by funds raised by the Moora Moora Community, which has a friendship relationship with the village. For more information see Alternative Technology Association.
Friendship School Project
A number of schools in Moreland participate in the program run by the Australia East Timor Friendship School Project, which is operated in association with Kirsty Sword Gusmao's Alola Foundation.
The Moreland schools are linked to schools in Aileu District and exchange photos and information about life at their schools. The Australian students raise funds to support the education at their linked school, including purchase of school materials, sporting equipment, and musical instruments. In 2007-08, the students will be raising funds to support literacy and training activities. For more information, see Friendship School Project
East Timor Coffee
East Timor coffee is now selling for $6.50 for a 250 gram pack.
East Timor Coffee Blend is available by phoning 9240 1111 or from any of Council's citizens service centres:
- Moreland Civic Centre, 90 Bell Street, Coburg
- 233 Sydney Road, Brunswick
- 796N Pascoe Vale Road, Glenroy
All proceeds go to the community of Aileu in East Timor.
The sale of East Timor coffee through the partnership with Coffex in Brunswick has provided the Friends of Aileu with a sustainable and steady stream of income. A number of partner organisations which support projects in Aileu, including Moreland Community Health Service, Kangan Batman TAFE , Campaspe Shire and Moora Moora Community, also sell the coffee, with the profits going towards those projects.
Aileu Resource and Training Centre (Centro de Recurso e Treinamento de Aileu)
Friends of Aileu is supporting a small non-government organisation in Aileu, the Aileu Resource and Training Centre, which provides a range of training and community development programs. It is housed in the small public library building in Aileu, which is owned by the Ministry of Education.
Friends of Aileu has provided funds for the renovation and equipping of the Centre, including provsion of an Internet connection. It has also agreed to support the development of an English language training program at the Centre.
In early 2008 the Centre's Director, Sra Maria Diamantina Martins, spent a month in Melbourne on a study tour, when she undertook intensive English language training and visited a number of organisations involved in adult learning and women's developnment. Download the Aileu Resource and Training Centre background information (DOC 1Mb) for further details.
