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Timor-Leste villagers laud Jesuit's clean water project

Life's become a lot easier for hard-pressed farmers now they have a steady water supply on their doorsteps
Timor-Leste villagers laud Jesuit's clean water project

Children in Loleison don't need to go far to get water after the Jesuit Social Service with the support of Bank Mandiri built wells close to their homes. (Photo by Thomas Ora)

 

Published: August 11, 2016 08:04 AM GMT
Updated: August 11, 2016 08:09 AM GMT

For many years, people in Loleison village in Vera-Cruz, about 13 kilometers east of Dili, have lived a hard life, such as having to walk for several hours back and forth, every day, across poor terrain to fetch water.

But things changed for the farming community after Jesuit Social Service (JSS) recently finished a clean water project in the area.

Laurenso Tavares, 40, a farmer who owns several plots of land, said JSS' timing was perfect to rescue the villagers. He said people had waited ages to have clean water near their homes.

The area is surrounded by many trees but when the dry season comes, people begin to worry; not only because of a lack of water but because plants — corn, cassava, banana — and livestock such as pigs and cows can easily die.

Tavares recalled how people suffered because of a lack of clean water. He and his neighbors often had to wake up at 3am to fetch water for drinking and cooking, before arriving back home at 7am.

"Our children went to school almost every day without taking a shower," said Tavares. "They could only shower once every three days," he said. "Washing was never done at home, but at the water source."

Tavares and his wife Francisca Joaquina, 35, agreed to donate a portion of their land to JSS to build wells for a community of 50 families (or about 500 people) and also for a new chapel.

"What I have here belongs to God. So I give it back to God for the goodness of other people," said Tavares, adding that Pope Francis inspired him when he declared a Year of Mercy.

"Even if I am not rich, I can do what I can to help others during this Year of Mercy," he told ucanews.com.

Every day Tavares looks after his farm, livestock and sells firewood to support his family that includes eight children.

According to Tavares, people in the village no longer need to worry about water and can focus on their farms. He said people now think of how to use the water wisely, such as to grow vegetables, bring animals closer to homes and build toilets.

"The government does not care about providing clean water. As a result, people do not have toilets," he said.

But since water is now readily available, the community will build toilets in their homes, he said.

Delfina Lourdes Almeida, 46, is also happy, saying that she can now concentrate on her daily routine, such as making traditional sacks to store rice and corn, which she sells at a local market to support her children.

"Now I can focus more on my work," she said.

Agostinho Almeida Belo, 20, a senior high student, said he is happy with progress in his village. Belo said that when he was in elementary and junior high, he rarely showered before going to school.

"I used arrive late at school because in the morning I had to fetch water," said Belo. "Because of that, teachers were angry. They even asked me not to bother showing up at school," he said.

"The situation now is different. Children can shower twice a day," he said.

 

Wells for life

Executive director of Jesuit Social Service, Father Erik John Gerilla, said the clean water project is part of JSS' commitment to promoting community development and empowering the poor to become self-sufficient.

According to Father Gerilla, JSS has four main programs, which include clean water and sanitation, agriculture, empowerment of young people and clinics.

"After clean water, the next goal is to encourage people to build toilets in their homes," Father Gerilla said.

JSS has built three wells in Hera and Kasait — both in the district of Dili — because both areas face serious water shortages, particularly during the dry season that runs from April to October. The third well in Loleison was built with the financial support of Bank Mandiri.

"It began when we found out that in Hera many school-aged children were pushing carts packed with water containers for the long trip back to their homes," Father Gerilla said.

The priest also thanked Australian Catholics for donating money to JSS and encouraged donors to help maintain the facilities by donating US$1 per family every month.

"JSS will build seven more wells in these areas," he said.

Meanwhile, Divine Word Father Kornelis Key of St. Tiago Church in Hera praised the Jesuits for their clean water project. He said he had previously visited Loleison and people often complained about the difficulty in getting water.

"I am glad they can finally get clean water," said Father Key, who leads a parish of some 8,300 Catholics.

Lourentius Aris Budiyanto, Director of Bank Mandiri Timor-Leste, said the bank would continue to support development projects for the people of Timor-Leste.

"This is not our first, nor the last. We will continue to help the people based on their needs."

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