Subject: 'austraLasia' #252

TIMOR: FORMER RECTOR AND BUILDER CONSIDERS THE COST!

via Fr. Julian Sleuter

(Note: the following is the translation of a phone call between Bro. Ephrem

and Fr. Walter Van Wouwe. The latter is presently in Rome; the former is

able to give precise details of damage to Salesian buildings in Dili. Fr.

Walter was the first Rector at Los Palos where he built the Church and the

orphanage. He then went to Comoro (Dili) where he built the Salesian

residence, classrooms, workshops etc there).

The electricity and the carpentry shops were not burned down.The shops for

needlework are intact,as is the gym,the chapel and hall for youth

encounters.But the welding and computer shops were destroyed,especially the

offices.The 4 buildings housing the boarding section are burned down.The U

shaped garage and housing for employes is burned down together with 2 cars.

The of-

fice of the director and telephone office are burned but the rest of the

residence not.But all doors have been broken down and everything that could

be carried has been stolen.Some furniture has been seen "owned" by

neighbours.The house had been evacuated for a period of time. According to

earlier reports everything that not could be carried away (machinery)has

been destroyed. One

electricity line has been repaired,but there is no water as the pumps are

missing. A few confreres (Brs.Evarist and Marsal) are trying to do some

repair work.

According to this phone call not Fr.Wong but Fr.Orlando should be back

in Comoro,while Fr.Wong, the provincial, and Fr.Edmundo should still be in

Kupang with the displaced parishioners. [But I suppose this is a mistake,I

am trying to resolve].

People around Comoro are trickling back.Many are looking for family

members.Most men went hiding in the moutains, while women and children were

deported to Kupang and Atambua.Shops are nowhere to be found.Nothing to buy

even with money. Everybody gets food from the Australian Armed

Service.Priority is now rebuilding houses,before the rainy season starts in

November. No material is available to start real rebuilding. Fr.Julien

Sleuyter.

Nb.Before I could send you this email,Fr.Walter contacted Comoro

again.The

following is what he understood from a bad communication.Fr Wong went back

to

the camp in Kupang where the displaced persons from the Salesian parish

are.This

people is coming back litle by litle. Fr.Orlando is in Comoro, and it seems

that

Fr.Edmundo is still in a camp in Atambua.

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