This morning we heard from Ann Bermann about the work we have been doing in East Timor.
Ann, who was introduced to the members, by her husband Mike, recently returned from a visit to Bahkita, East Timor. She and son, Stewart, spent time there visiting some of the areas where we have provided funding for projects to improve their access to water and clean sanitation. They were unable to visit as many sites as they'd hoped because the weather didn't cooperate. With torrential downpours comes flooded roads and in some cases impossible passages to places of interest.
They did get to see the work done on upgrading the toilet and shower facilities, as well as the kitchen at the school in the nearby village of Hatulia (it is only 53 kms away, but due to the poor conditions of the roads, it took 2 1/2 hours to get there). The students were really impressed with the facilities so well done to Ascot, and others who helped provide the necessary funding.
Ann and Stewart were also able to visit Balibo where the 5 journalists were massacred in 1975 when they were caught in the crossfire. They visited the Fort Hotel which has a photo wall showing the journalists; and in the grounds there is a museum to that tragic event.
While in East Timor they were able to be part of some of the 24 Years of Independence celebrations that were held. Ann also showed us some photos showing that on one of the excursions they got bogged in a riverbed as the bridge had been washed away. They were helped out by 5 people on motorbikes, otherwise they might still be there.
Thank you Ann for a very informative talk, and those great photos that accompanied it.