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Planning for WASH

In early 2017, Willoughby Friends of Ossu members visited Timor-Leste to plan for Stage 1 of the WASH Clean Water Project.

WASH Project

2017’s Timor trip started months before its departure. There were many exchanges of emails and telephone calls trying to answer the big question whether our plan for WaSH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) with WaterAid would really happen.

Morning in Dili – a meeting with WaterAid – and it’s all systems go

WaterAid designer Apolonia Barreto, Rosemary Bekker, and Engineers Without Borders’ Heidi Michael.

But hold on – now we have to talk to people in Ossu. Willoughby Friends of Ossu organisers Umbelina Rodrigues in Dili and Memensio Freitas in Ossu have it covered.

First day in Ossu – time to see Administrator Augusto de Sousa

Interpreter Maria Guterres, Rosemary and Administrator Augusto de Sousa.

Involving the Community

WaterAid have indicated that for the WASH project to be successful it is essential to have the support of the local Ossu community. The Administrator and Father Evaristo call in the local notables.

The Administrator (left) and next to him Willoughby Friends of Ossu’s Memensio Freitas leading the discussion. It’s good to see Memensio is running the meeting.

Multiple people have previously expressed concern that if money is invested in new systems but not in their management, the result will be the same situation: dry and useless infrastructure. WaterAid sees the establishment of effective management structures as a crucial issue to be resolved alongside any infrastructure works, in order to ensure their sustainability.

Rosemary spells out the WASH plan. People ask questions and raise alternatives, but…the decision is made: Ossu WaSH Project gets 100% community backing.

Latest News

So far this year…

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...]

Steve Darmody – Teacher Exchange

Steve is a member of the Willoughby Friends of Ossu, and is also a volunteer English teacher with a love of music. This clip is of secondary … [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 Ossu Teacher Exchange – ClubGRANTS

Congratulations to the team at Friends of Ossu (Timor-Leste) on receiving a grant for their teacher exchange program 2018/ 2019. Big thanks to … [Read More...]

WILLOUGHBY FRIENDS OF OSSU INC.

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