Our Projects in Baguia
Friends of Baguia focus primarily on Education projects
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Scholarships to the nine High Schools in Baguia Posto (formerly Sub-district)
These schools have a combined total of over 1,175 students. Fees and books are funded up to $A100 per year for each student. Over 140 scholarships are provided each year.
Four of our scholarship students at Satilos Junior High
Since 2005 Korowa Girls School has funded female students at St Joseph's Baguia
These schools have a combined total of over 1,175 students. Fees and books are funded up to $A100 per year for each student. Over 140 scholarships are provided each year.
Four of our scholarship students at Satilos Junior High
Since 2005 Korowa Girls School has funded female students at St Joseph's Baguia
Primary Teacher Training
In 2019 we are delivering the third year of training Primary Teachers in an intensive 5 week training program to learn modern interactive teaching skills. The program is delivered by two Timorese Trainers from SDRA (Learning Resource Development Center).
Project support by the Noel & Carmel O’Brien Foundation
In 2019 we are delivering the third year of training Primary Teachers in an intensive 5 week training program to learn modern interactive teaching skills. The program is delivered by two Timorese Trainers from SDRA (Learning Resource Development Center).
Project support by the Noel & Carmel O’Brien Foundation
Training and funding for teachers at three village Kindergartens
Only 10% of children have access to pre-schools and Timor Education is now realising how important they are to educational success for village children. This program provides employment for local women who receive a Volunteer reimbursement.
Samalari Kindergarten is fully funded by Friends of Baguia, with support for teacher training from the City of Stonnington
Only 10% of children have access to pre-schools and Timor Education is now realising how important they are to educational success for village children. This program provides employment for local women who receive a Volunteer reimbursement.
Samalari Kindergarten is fully funded by Friends of Baguia, with support for teacher training from the City of Stonnington
University Scholarships
Currently, 15 Baguia students are funded at University level. Most are studying in East Timor, but due to a lack of courses three of our students are studying at University in Indonesia and The Philippines. The cost is $A750 per year for each uni student.
Angelina is a recipient of the Therese Dawson Scholarship for health studies and is studying Nursing in Indonesia
Currently, 15 Baguia students are funded at University level. Most are studying in East Timor, but due to a lack of courses three of our students are studying at University in Indonesia and The Philippines. The cost is $A750 per year for each uni student.
Angelina is a recipient of the Therese Dawson Scholarship for health studies and is studying Nursing in Indonesia
Technical Scholarships
In 2018 Friends of Baguia supported 8 students to attend one-year technical courses in Dili. This level of technical expertise is lacking in Timor-Leste and their studies will greatly improve the chances of students obtaining work in rural areas like Baguia. This program was commenced in 2015 and all graduates have obtained work in a variety of trades. The cost is $A1,600 per course for each student.
The students graduating from Dom Bosco in 2018. This program was partly funded by Rotary Club of Hawthorn
In 2018 Friends of Baguia supported 8 students to attend one-year technical courses in Dili. This level of technical expertise is lacking in Timor-Leste and their studies will greatly improve the chances of students obtaining work in rural areas like Baguia. This program was commenced in 2015 and all graduates have obtained work in a variety of trades. The cost is $A1,600 per course for each student.
The students graduating from Dom Bosco in 2018. This program was partly funded by Rotary Club of Hawthorn
Desks and equipment for remote mountain Primary Schools
In some mountain schoolrooms children still sit on the dirt floor or on shaky bamboo poles. We support local village carpenters to build desks and blackboards. In some cases we provide funds for the materials to extend mountain schools that are built on volunteer labour by the villagers.
Desks and chairs being trucked up to Hae Coni Primary School - Project supported by Rotary Club of Hawthorn
In some mountain schoolrooms children still sit on the dirt floor or on shaky bamboo poles. We support local village carpenters to build desks and blackboards. In some cases we provide funds for the materials to extend mountain schools that are built on volunteer labour by the villagers.
Desks and chairs being trucked up to Hae Coni Primary School - Project supported by Rotary Club of Hawthorn
Computer Training Program
Classes in Word, Excel and Powerpoint commenced in 2008 and have had a very positive impact on such a remote community.
Local students are selected from the computer courses to become paid computer trainers and after a few years their skills are in high demand and all have managed to move to full-time paid jobs, with several trainers working as teachers in Baguia schools.
We are currently seeking a sponsor to assist us to continue running this invaluable program
Classes in Word, Excel and Powerpoint commenced in 2008 and have had a very positive impact on such a remote community.
Local students are selected from the computer courses to become paid computer trainers and after a few years their skills are in high demand and all have managed to move to full-time paid jobs, with several trainers working as teachers in Baguia schools.
We are currently seeking a sponsor to assist us to continue running this invaluable program
English language classes
The official languages in East Timor are Portugese and Tetun but there is a strong demand for English, which is seen as an international language to provide future opportunities. Three local teachers are employed to run free English classes for adults and children. We hosted one of these teachers, in Australia for several months to improve her English skills.
Baguia students consistently achieve high results in National Exams in English, which assists them in further opportunities
The official languages in East Timor are Portugese and Tetun but there is a strong demand for English, which is seen as an international language to provide future opportunities. Three local teachers are employed to run free English classes for adults and children. We hosted one of these teachers, in Australia for several months to improve her English skills.
Baguia students consistently achieve high results in National Exams in English, which assists them in further opportunities
Permaculture School Gardens
Planning is well underway for implementing two School Gardens to teach about sustainability and modern permaculture techniques that will improve the local agriculture and importantly the nutrition for children. The training and building of the gardens will be done by Timorese Permaculture Master, Ego Lemos and staff from Permatil.
To start to build knowledge, in 2018 we funded 6 young people to attend the week-long Youth Permaculture Camp in Maubisse.
Leopoldina and the Baguia participants at the Camp - Project supported by the Noel & Carmel O’Brien Foundation
Planning is well underway for implementing two School Gardens to teach about sustainability and modern permaculture techniques that will improve the local agriculture and importantly the nutrition for children. The training and building of the gardens will be done by Timorese Permaculture Master, Ego Lemos and staff from Permatil.
To start to build knowledge, in 2018 we funded 6 young people to attend the week-long Youth Permaculture Camp in Maubisse.
Leopoldina and the Baguia participants at the Camp - Project supported by the Noel & Carmel O’Brien Foundation
Tanks for Timor
Initiated by Meagan Lowe (former Friends of Baguia Committee member), to date this project has funded five tanks and the necessary guttering, piping and tank stands for Primary Schools. Three of the schools are located in the mountains and the tanks will provide safe drinking water, ability to install or use toilets, water for cooking the government provided lunch. With the high cost of transport each tank cost around $A1,800 to install.
Villagers from Gulari carrying their new school tank on the 3 hour journey up the mountain - project supported by Glen Waverley Uniting Church
Initiated by Meagan Lowe (former Friends of Baguia Committee member), to date this project has funded five tanks and the necessary guttering, piping and tank stands for Primary Schools. Three of the schools are located in the mountains and the tanks will provide safe drinking water, ability to install or use toilets, water for cooking the government provided lunch. With the high cost of transport each tank cost around $A1,800 to install.
Villagers from Gulari carrying their new school tank on the 3 hour journey up the mountain - project supported by Glen Waverley Uniting Church
Friends of Baguia wish to thank the Australian organisations mentioned above, who have financially supported our Baguia Projects through donations or grants
