Report Card
In preparing this newsletter, I looked back with interest at the major objectives that were set at the CET planning workshop held in Brisbane on 18 February 2006. Against these objectives, I offer the following ‘2006 Report Card’ for your consideration:
· While CET had planned to undertake the Pilot Project to connect another 16 villages in 2006, this was not possible due to the security situation in Dili. However, volunteer Project Manager, Alan Collier, visited the Balibo and Lacluta sub-Districts in October to brief community leaders and to check for suitable sites. This very successful visit laid a solid foundation for the Pilot Project implementation stage now planned for mid 2007.
· A village radio-mobile telephone interface was successfully developed and tested by CET volunteers in 2006 and will be deployed as part of the Pilot Project next year.
· An objective for 2006 was to train one East Timorese person at Queensland Rail in Brisbane; CET exceeded this by training four, one from each of the Balibo, Atabae and Lacluta communities and one from the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Having this pool of CET trained people should greatly assist with the Pilot Project implementation.
· Against a fundraising target for 2006 of $100,000, an amount of $53,770 in cash or kind has been raised since the start of this year. Taking account of the amount carried forward from the previous year, as well as expenses incurred in 2006, the current balance is $61,040. More is needed to confidently plan for and deliver the Pilot Project.
· CET has achieved its target of building stronger relationships with Queensland Rail, the Christian Brothers (who are also very active in community development activities in East Timor) and the Federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts which has given CET a technical ‘stamp of approval’.
· We recognized the importance of having one or more Patrons for CET, leading people who could provide guidance to the volunteers and also ‘connect’ the Campaign with other people and organizations. CET was therefore delighted when Terry Sullivan agreed to act as Patron early in the year. Thank you Terry for your strong support and encouragement, as well as your excellent advice and guidance throughout this year.
I will leave it to you, our volunteers, donors and supporters, to judge CET’s performance in 2006. For me personally, it remains a great privilege to be in a position where I can witness first-hand your generosity of spirit in action for the people of East Timor. On their behalf, thank you sincerely for your support!
Peter de Haas
Situation in East Timor
As most may be aware, the situation in Dili remains unstable with continuing law and order issues involving youth gangs. Also, with the onset of the wet season, the situation of tens of thousands living in camps in and around Dili is becoming dire, with a greatly increased risk of disease. This is of grave concern for the Government of East Timor and the international community, including humanitarian organizations and aid agencies.
By way of contrast, the rural areas where CET is active have remained peaceful. The CET Demonstration system in Atabae continues to operate successfully and is now enmeshed in the life of that community.
Based on advice from people on the ground, CET is not concerned about the security of either the Atabae system or the CET village radio systems that are planned for 2007 in Balibo and Lacluta sub-Districts under the Pilot Project.
Nevertheless CET earnestly hopes and prays for a speedy and lasting solution to the law and order and refugee problems in Dili!
Thank You!
CET is very pleased to be able to publicly announce the following gifts to the Campaign:
· Directors and Staff of Management Effect Pty Ltd: a cash gift of $5,000;
· The de Haas Family: a cash gift of $5,000;
· Directors and Staff of Seymour Whyte Constructions Pty Ltd: a cash gift of $10,000;
· Brad Church and family: a cash gift of $500;
· Directors and Staff of Goodman Private Wealth Advisers a cash gift of $500.
Further donations totaling $2000 have also been received from others who wish to remain anonymous.
On behalf of the people in the Balibo and Lacluta sub Districts of East Timor, CET would like to sincerely thank these generous donors and supporters for their contributions towards the costs of the Pilot Project.
Seasons Greetings!
To all our volunteers, donors and supporters in Australia and overseas, as well as our friends and partners in the Government and the communities of East Timor, CET extends its very best wishes for a happy, peaceful and safe Christmas enjoyed with your family and friends and a New Year that is filled with blessings.
As we continue to work together across cultures and continue to share our gifts with each other, we can rejoice in the fact that together, very much in keeping with the Spirit of Christmas, we are building a better and more just world.
Happy Christmas!
|
