On Thursday evening the 8th April we received advice that the township of Baguia and its surrounding villages in the mountainous area of eastern Timor Leste had been very badly affected by torrential rains which had also caused major flooding in the capital, Dili.
Most of the population in the remote Baguia area live a subsistence lifestyle and their food crops had been very badly affected by these exceptional storms. Worse still a bridge on the only road into the Baguia region had collapsed whilst a small truck had been crossing it, resulting in the loss of a local school teacher.
A food shortage had resulted in an increased demand for rice which had risen in price beyond the level of affordability of the local villagers.
The RC of Camberwell in conjunction with Consortiums of other Rotary Clubs has been engaged in WASH Projects in the Baguia region for several years, constructing School Toilets and installing Water Tanks.
During these projects we have worked from time to time with another group of Rotarians from Western Australian lead by Max Bird from the RC o Kwinana (D9465).
Over many years Max has developed a very close working relationship with the Don Bosco Organisation in Laga on the north cost of Timor Leste and we knew that he had 2 utility vehicles which he garages with them.
Max readily agreed to make use of his contacts in Timor Leste and we each agreed to contribute $2,000 toward a $4,000 Food Rescue package.
He confirmed the situation in Baguia with Ms Leo Guterres, our local Coordinator in Baguia, who is also the principal of St Josephs High School, a Community Leader and a member of the Rotary Passport Club of Melbourne.
Despite difficulties due to electricity, mobile phone and internet outages, Leo was able to provide a list of required Foodstuffs and other necessities to Brother Tomas, the manager of the Don Bosco owned Timor Roofing Co in Baucau who offered to purchase the required Aide Items on our behalf in Baucau.
Father Rui at the Don Bosco Centre in Laga made their tip Truck and driver available to transport these Relief Goods to Baguia, where they were unloaded into the Community Centre in Baguia next to the Sub-District Administrator's office and the Police Post, ready for distribution to those in most need by Ms Leopoldina and the Sub-District Administrator, Snr Antonio dos Ramos
The very bad condition of the road into Baguia and the weight of the rice and other goods necessitated splitting the goods into two truck loads with the first being delivered on Thursdays the 15th April and the second being delivered the following day.
The total cost the of Relief Goods which included the 3 tons of bagged rice and many other items, ended up costing USD $4,926 which is to be shared equally between our two Rotary Clubs.
We did not wish to use any of the "2020 Timor Rotary Consortium" funds in this Relief Effort and the RC of Sydney Cove has very generously offered to contribute $1,000 to our share of this agreement. Enclosed are some photos of the overturned truck & collapsed bridge and of the Relief Goods being unloaded in to the distribution centre in Baguia.
Speed was of the essence in dealing with this matter and we wish to thank Max Bird and the RC of Kwinana for making the best use of their contacts as well as Father Rui and Brother Tomas from the Don Boso Organisation and Ms Leopoldina Guterres for her tireless work on behalf of her community.
