24 members were present to listen to Emma Dawson present on the work of Mary MacKillop International (MMI) in Timor-Leste.
 
She is the International Programs Co-ordinator and spent nearly three years working with grassroots NGOs in Timor-Leste before joining MMI.  Emma is passionate about community mobilisation through education, music and drama.

The work of MMI began with the request of Bishop Carlos Belo in 1994 for help for the people of Timor-Leste.  It is based in Dili but MMI works in 10 of the 13 districts in the country.

With 50% of the people illiterate and with only 13% advancing to tertiary education, MMI's work through literacy education in the Tetun language, parents training, health literacy workshops and MMI's music for life program is well needed.  Emma acknowledged that the Tetun vs Portuguese language argument is a contentious subject, but MMI feels that education in the local language is the best way forward.

200 teachers were trained by MMI in 2013-14 and its teaching material is now in use at all schools.  A health literacy project for teachers is vital, as is music education (a very powerful force), and the education of parents to assist with homework etc.

Today, MMI's mission is carried out by a variety of people who recognise the particular gift which Mary MacKillop brought to the world.  She upheld the dignity of all people.  She relied on the Providence of God.  She devoted herself to the education of the poor.  Funding is entirely from individual and corporate donors plus UNICEF and similar bodies.

Angelo Raveane said, during question time, it is a common misconception by visitors that there are many Rotary clubs in Timor-Leste - simply because there are over 80 Rotary projects underway and there is a Rotary Wheel in every village.  In fact there is only one - the Rotary Club of Dili.

We were delighted that Tamar Sloper-Harding and another visitor from the Pittwater Friends of Soibada were able to join us.  The Rotary Club of Pittwater partners with the Pittwater Friends of Soibada to support projects to help the East Timor village of Soibada to achieve a sustainable future.  The group was formed following Pittwater Council signing a Friendship Agreement with the Timor-Leste community in July 2010.