Friends of Same Inc. is a community-based group based in the 

City of Boroondara,  Melbourne,  with friendship links to Same,  Timor-Leste

The Friends of Same community group was set up by Boroondra Council in 2002 to develop the friendship relationship entered into by the City of Boroondara with Same Sub-District in the District of Manufahi, Timor-Leste, as part of the wider friendship program established by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) to provide community support for the people of the newly independent nation of Timor-Leste, following years of occupation and violence. Timor-Leste is still a developing nation, with high levels of poverty, malnutrition and disease (for example dengue fever, rheumatic heart disease and TB), and there is a continuing need for projects that assist development. 

Over the years Friends of Same has helped to fund a number of initiatives suggested by the Manufahi District Administration and by local organisations. These include scholarships, an education centre for blind and vision impaired people, a coconut oil press for a women's group, helping renovate a birthing room in the maternity hospital, and facilitating transport of medical supplies to Same Hospital.  Friends of Same has funded projects in Same mainly through the sale of Timor Friendship Coffee (see details below and also under the tab 'coffee' for  information about the coffee and how to order.)


Ercilio on his teaching practice placement at COSAMAR primary school, Datina, Same.  

Friends of Same student completes teaching course at 

Baucau Teachers College


Ercilio Cortereal has now successfully completed his 4th year of training which gives him a Bachelor of Education, and qualifies him to teach in secondary schools as well as primary schools. 

Our thanks to the Corpus Christi Social Justice Group for supporting his scholarship.

Support Friends of Same projects in Same, by buying
Friends of Same coffee.
(naturally grown in East Timor and available in Beans or Ground, 250gm packets).

Excellent value for great tasting coffee, Sales go towards FoS projects in Same as well as supporting coffee
growers in Timor-Leste.



Timor Friendship coffee, sold as a fundraiser for educational projects in Same, Timor-Leste

Friends of Same coffee Is Now Available Online at Coffex


Timor Friendship Coffee can be ordered 

through the Coffex website . 


                                     Ordering a standard 8-pack (ground or beans) will get free delivery!


Timor 250g Ground 

$9.00/Pack

$10.50


Shop now



Timor 250g Beans 



Now $9.00/Pack


$10.50



Shop now




, Coffee can be also be ordered online and paid for by bank transfer

(8 packs for $84 postage included)

click here to purchase

Or contact us to buy coffee 
Email: info@friendsofsame.org

Coffee Sales: 0433 709 201


Friends of Same coffee is also available at 

Support our projects in

Same, by buying
Friends of Same coffee.
(naturally grown in East Timor and available in Beans or Ground, 250gm packets).

Friends of Same Coffee is also available  at Renaissance IGAs , Burwood Road and Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn,  and Leo's fine food and wine in Kew, Hartwell and Heidleberg, and over the counter at the  Royal Nut Company  60 Fallon St, Brunswick VIC 3056 

Support our projects

Click here to Donate on our Donate page

Fuan Nabilan Students 


Vision impaired students at Fuan Nabilan,  


Studying braille with Fuan Nabilan teacher Joana

  Friends of Same Inc. is a community-based group based in the 

City of Boroondara, Melbourne.

We are part of a network of East Timor Friendship Groups and

provide a forum to coordinate support for the people of the

Same region, East Timor, in rebuilding their communities.

Contact us at info@friendsofsame.org

We are continuing to deliver coffee orders by mail or delivery, 

 Please email us at info@friendsofsame.org

or Phone 0433 709 201

 Join us to provide support to a worthy cause.

in addition, there are a number of outlets where you can purchase our coffee. Click here to find one closest to you.