CER Education
Adult literacy rates in Timor Leste are very low and less than half of primary-aged children complete 6 years of primary education. CER provides qualified, reliable teaching staff and resources to encourage regular attendance at school and increase retention rates. Funds from Australia enable payment of salaries for ‘volunteer’ primary school and preschool teachers and the sourcing and provision of teaching supplies. A particular feature has been the development of teaching resources for early language work in Tetun, the main local language. CER invests considerable resources in pre-school and primary teacher professional development. The involvement of Australian volunteer teachers is invaluable in in-servicing and mentoring of CER’s local teachers, which encourages participation, creativity and cross cultural exchange.
CER manages 10 pre-primary schools (TEKA) with a total of 247 children attending in 2015; and 3 primary schools. CER participates in the management of a vocational educational centre with about 60 students in the town of Gleno. Monthly meetings of the village community leaders facilitate CER’s collaboration with local communities and inform its responses to local needs and the people’s rights to education, health and improved food security.
CER Health Team
The CER Health Team, in partnership with the Timorese Government Health Department, offers constant support of health care across 5 villages in the mountains of Railaco. The team consists of a nurse, a mid-wife and an ambulance driver. They work in cooperation with the Government doctor, nurse and administrator and use the recently renovated clinic(by American Naval Engineers) based in the village of Railaco Leten as their treatment centre. Patients mostly make the long walk from their village to the clinic for consultations.
The Health Department provides regular immunizationand corn powder supplies for young babies. Among the illnesses treated are TB, chest infections and infected sores on legs & arms. Regular blood tests are administered & pregnancy checks made. The life expectancy of the Timorese people is in the mid 50’s, but it is on the improve. CER operates a mobile clinic in a converted Land Cruiser, visiting the villages across the rough terrain, and a donated ambulance for emergency cases going to Dili. The CER team makes itself available 7 days a week.
CER Health Staff at Village Clinic
Other
Through the Terrace Timor Network (TTN), CER has also assisted with building projects such as village community centers and school buildings. Some projects have been completed with local labour, while other projects have been co-operative efforts of local people and volunteer teams from Australia who have provided donated materials which are often purchased locally. These projects have also included the installation of solar power electric light in homes and water supplies. Volunteers from the Rotary Club of Inverell (Northern NSW) have been actively involved in these projects since 2002, which provide opportunities for Australians to work alongside the local people in building their communities and to engage and build relationships. These co-operative efforts also provide opportunities for cross cultural enrichment and have potential to foster commitment to ongoing support.
Australian Rotary volunteers fitting solar powered light
Timor Projects- Who’s working on what in East Timor ?
Timor Projects is an online resource designed to link people, showcase projects and share stories, information and experiences about working in Timor Leste. To visit Timor Projects – click HERE
Click on the links below:
View Several Videos taken in the schools in the Railaco District of Timor Leste where Comunidade Edmund Rice Operates.[gallery_bank album_id=1]
