East Timor

War Zone

On 30 August 1999, 78 percent of the population of Timor-Leste voted in favour of becoming an independent nation from Indonesia. However, a campaign of violence led by Indonesian-backed militia erupted immediately after UNAMET announced the result. 70 percent of Timor-Leste’s infrastructure was burned down and approximately 250 000 people were forced to migrate.

The area was declared a war zone. The UN, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal and USA came to their aid. 

Moving on

At this time I was working in Gunbalanya which is in the far north top end of Australia.  There were a lot of security patrols along the coast of Australia by land, sea and air.  I felt I needed a change from Arnhem Land so I headed back into Darwin to be with family.  I set up a small book keeping business which soon was giving me a full income.  But I was lonely and felt a part of me was missing.

Card Reader

I consulted a card reader to see where my life was headed.  She told me the Universe had a tall man from a far off country waiting for me, he was handsome, dark complexion and had travelled the world to.  At the present time he was living the closest to me than we had ever been and this was the time for us to meet.  I walked out of her rooms looking at every Italian or Greek man I could see. Little did I know.

Another Adventure begins

Within two weeks I had been offered a small 1 month contract in East Timor. The position was with an NGO computerising their financial figures.  This time I found the decision of what to do easier than before. I jumped at the opportunity for more adventure. With the UN peace keeping forces in place, Australia and NZ had troops and America providing security forces – what could go wrong. 

I took the offer just to add a little life to my dull city life, after having lived 2 ½ years in Arnhem Land. I flew into Dili East Timor on 21^st  April 2001. Once again a new colleague met me at the airport. As we drove through the streets to our accommodation the devastation was incredible. Burnt out buildings, devastation everywhere.  My memory of this drive is looking at all the tented military camps and helicopters parked on their tarmacs. A scene I soon became used to, was watching the Portugues peace keepers driving around in their brand new white four wheel drive vehicles. Five young virile men to a car with music blaring and young muscley soldiers leaning out of the windows.  Man they were eye candy if I had ever seen any.

Shared dormitory style rooms with an attached kitchen made up the accommodation. Sharing our “home” were volunteer teachers and ambulance officers.  Our NGO was, at the time, supporting the only ambulance service in Dili.

Day 1

On the first day I was shown around the offices and introduced to the staff.  The office building was a magnificent converted old Portuguese Colonial style home. It had cement floors, wooden doors and windows high, high ceilings. A balustrade approximately waist high surrounded the verandah.  Later this is where we held meetings etc.  Leading down to the courtyard were three wide steps.  Outbuildings, which later became offices surrounded the courtyard.

Across the road was the Timor Sea and far off into the distance we could see the Island of Atauro. Atauro was used as a prison for criminals and political prisoners, from as far away as Africa. During the Indonesian occupation, supporters of the resistance movement and their families were exiled here – to survive or die.

The Timorese staff were all young and very friendly.  Their enthusiasm for work and to help their country heal was so invigorating.  Their stories were so harrowing, but through it all they could see East Timor rising and they were all committed to helping that happen.