Fostering friendship, support and cross-cultural exchange

  • Ossu in Timor-Leste
  • About Friends
    • The Committee
    • Our Friends in Ossu
  • Get Involved – be a Friend
    • Donations
  • Projects
    • Current Projects
    • WASH Project
      • WASH in Ossu – Background
      • Planning for WASH
    • Past Projects
  • Latest News
  • Donate

Ossu in Timor-Leste

Ossu

Ossu, a sub-district of Viqueque, is located high in the lush mountainous region of central Timor-Leste; about 2 hours drive south of Baucau and 6 hours drive from Dili over difficult roads. The hillsides are steeply mountainous. It remains remote through lack of infrastructure and poor communication.

Ossu consists of 9 sub-villages or “sucos”. The sucos surround the main village of Ossu, which has schools and a produce market. People here live in traditional housing made from bamboo with thatched roofs, they graze goats and typically have a few chickens and pigs.

The people of Ossu live a subsistence agricultural life, where food sources are often insufficient. There is a saying…

In Ossu, there are three seasons, the wet season, the dry season and the hungry season.

Much of the land is degraded and subject to landslides and erosion. Transport is difficult, communication systems are limited and water sources are inadequate.

This video is about Nelson Ximenes and Ollie Howes undertaking the five hour journey from Dili, the capital of East Timor, to the mountainous village Ossu in the district of Viqueque.

Timor-Leste (East Timor)

The long and narrow island of Timor is located in the Indonesian archipelago, less than 500km from Australia and a 1-hour flight from Darwin.

The island is divided into two distinct parts: the western part, under Indonesian domain and the eastern part, today proudly independent.

East Timor or Timor-Leste covers an area of 15,000 square km and has a population of approximately 1.2 million people. The country is beautifully picturesque from a coastal fringe to remote highland villages.

In May 2002, after 450 years of continuous foreign domination by both Portugal and Indonesia, Timor-Leste became the world’s newest nation.

It is the poorest country in the Asia region, but it is a land of young people with a desire to use their skills to create a prosperous and peaceful nation.

 

Latest News

News update

Two Teachers Supported in Ossu The contract supporting two teachers by Willoughby Friends of Ossu (WFOO) at Olocassa School means that WFOO funds … [Read More...]

Steve Darmody – Teacher Exchange

Steve is a member of the Willoughby Friends of Ossu, and is also a volunteer exchange English teacher at Olocassa Secondary School most recently in … [Read More...]

During Covid…

Although we are yet to be able to visit each other we remain in close contact and continue to progress a number of projects, and help where we can … [Read More...]

‘Friends across the Timor Sea’

The Friendship Book “Friends across the Timor Sea: A history of Friendship Groups” has been published. The 70 page book was showcased by Ambassador … [Read More...]

Timor-Leste’s teacher exchange – Constancio

In March 2019 Constancio joined us from our Timor- Leste’s teacher exchange program selected from teachers in Ossu. This program is an exchange of … [Read More...]

WILLOUGHBY FRIENDS OF OSSU INC.

ABN: 47304274883

Postal Address: PO Box 213
Northbridge, 2063
New South Wales
Australia

Contact the Friends of Ossu

Within Australia
Ph: +61 0410 545 585
Ph: +61 0403 055 397

Email: info@friendsofossu.org.au

CONNECT WITH US

Copyright © 2025 · Willoughby Friends of Ossu · Log in