By Julio Mota, SDB

       Comoro (Dili), Timor-Leste, 16 June 2023 -- Last week, three special guests were visiting Timor-Leste from 5-11 June 2023. They came from the US. Two of them were coming from the Rise Against Hunger (RAH) organization and another one from Salesian Missions New Rochelle. They were Ms. Amy Petersen, Ms. Kristen Wassil, and Ms. Barbara Brzeski. They were welcomed by Fr. Inocêncio Diamantino, SDB, TLS Provincial Economer, and accompanied by Fr. Gui do Carmo, SDB, the Head of PDO Timor-Leste as well as the local coordinator for the Rise Against Hunger program in Timor-Leste.

       In her remarks, Ms. Amy Petersen, as the RAH Senior Project Manager, would like to appreciate the partnership with TLS Don Bosco Foundation regarding the works that have been done so far. They would take the opportunity even if it’s a short visit, to go around and to see the reality of life of those who benefited from the Rise Against Hunger program. More than that, they would like to see how the RAH program has been implemented in Don Bosco settings and the related group of participants.

       For this reason, on their first day, in the afternoon of 5 June, they started visiting some settings in Dili and nearby, namely, FMA communities in Comoro and Balide, the Oratório Don Bosco, Centro Miguel Magone Balide, and SFSC Sisters in Tibar. On the following day, they began visiting other beneficiaries in Maliana, coming back to Dili and ending in the eastern part of the country. They had to travel to Fatumaca, Viqueque, Ossú, Baucau, and Fuiloro and ended up in Lospalos.

       In every place, the beneficiaries are grateful for the help and they gladly expressed their gratitude in songs and dances to our special guests. In their turn, they would leave a message of hope for a better future in education as well as a message to end hunger in this part of the world.

       Our special guests have come to Timor-Leste. They have come to see the work and impact of our collaboration, to meet the participants in a few centres, stakeholders from children receiving meals and lastly, they were able to have a short yet meaningful conversation with the Archbishop of Dili, His Eminence, Cardinal Virgílio do Carmo da Silva, SDB. With this visit, as Ms. Amy Petersen wrote in her message, they will have a better understanding of the food security context, come up with insights into the breadth of support offered to children and youth, and have a great appreciation for the network of individuals and organizations that are working to meet the nutritional needs of the communities across the country. On behalf of all participants, we would like to appreciate your efforts to come and see our poor kids and youth here in Timor-Leste. Obrigadu barak!

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