Who are Friends of Same?
Friends of Same (pronounced Sah-may) was formally launched in 2002 by the City of Boroondara to provide a forum for residents of the municipality to develop links with and coordinate initiatives and support for the people of the sub-district of Same in rebuilding their communities.
East Timor, as the world's newest nation, has suffered the ravages of years of foreign domination, war and violence, before and after the 1999 Referendum on Independence. More recently it has suffered from civil unrest as it goes through the difficult process of developing its fledgling democracy.
The City of Boroondara has joined other councils in participating in the Australia Timor-Leste Friendship Program, a joint initiative of the Australian Local Government Association and the Government of Timor-Leste. This program aims to provide long term support for community development, matching local government expertise and community resources and interests, with areas in East Timor.
As a community-based group, the Friends of Same enables council to draw more effectively on the expertise and commitment of individuals and existing community groups and service organisations within the municipality.
The City of Boroondara continues to support the work of the Friends of Same through administrative and in-kind assistance. A council steering committee oversees the friendship relationship.
Where is Same?
The sub-district of Same, part of the District of Manufahi, is situated in the south of East Timor, on the southern side of the central mountain range, towards the border with West Timor. It extends from Kablaki Mountain and its foothills where the town of Same is located, sloping down to Betano on the southern coastal plains bordering the Timor Sea.
Although Same is located just 30 minutes by air from Dili, the journey by road by four-wheel drive vehicle takes almost four hours.
Source: Courtesy of the University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin.
Some facts about Same
Same Sub-District has a population of around 24,000, spread across four main towns and villages. Same is the principal population and administrative centre in the District of Manufahi.
It is in an area of high rainfall and remnant rainforest but a cooler dry season (August to October) with temperatures dropping to as low as 5 degrees Celsius in Same.
The main language is Tetun, as well as a local dialect, Mambae, with Indonesian and Portuguese also spoken.
Most people of Same Sub-District are Catholic.
Same is famous in East Timor for the activities of one of its chiefs, Dom Boaventura, who waged a war against the Portuguese from 1895 to 1912, known as the Great Rebellion of Manufahi, which was only quelled when the Portuguese brought in reinforcements from Mozambique. Locals claim a death toll of more than 10,000 with thousands taken prisoner. The rebellion led to East Timor being separated from the colony of Macau and being administered by a governor directly responsible to Lisbon
During the years of Indonesian occupation, much of the rainforest of the district and town was systematically destroyed by the Indonesian military in their efforts to defeat the East Timorese resistance. Reprisals for resistance activity were also inflicted on some of the communities in this area.
Same was not spared from the militia violence associated with the 1999 Referendum for Independence although its destruction was not as extensive as in some other areas. Still there is widespread evidence of burnings of buildings and destroyed infrastructre.
Betano on the south coast has an important historical link with Australia being a landing point for the resupply and reinforcement of Australian soldiers during World War 2 fighting a guerilla campaign against the Japanese, with the help of and at great cost to the East Timorese. On 23 September 1942, the HMAS Voyager ran aground and was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The wreck still remains.
See also more facts about Timor-Leste.
What are Same's needs?
Governance
A primary focus for the Friendship Program, aimed at establishing and improving administrative practices at a local level. Local government assistance is particularly relevant in this context.
Education
Same has 23 primary schools, four junior high schools and two senior high schools.
School buildings suffered extensive damage during the militia rampages; some basic repairs such as re-roofing have been carried out but further work is required. Some schools lack basic services such as water and sanitation.
There is a lack of equipment, furniture, and teaching aids, sporting facilities and equipment and other elementary resources. Schools have very few educational display materials, and very limited teaching materials
Some schools in Boroondara are connecting with schools in the Same sub-district to foster closer community to community links and to encourage students develop a better understanding and friendship with a near neighbour.
There is a need for training at post secondary level in trades, information technology, business and accountancy skills, and for primary teacher training and support.
Health and welfare
Same has a 10 bed in-patient facility plus health outposts providing primary care, maternal and child care consultations, health education and an immunisation program. Training and support for health care professionals is a general need to improve health care. Poor nutrition underlies many health problems in rural areas, with East Timor experiencing food shortages each year during the 'hungry season'. This generally affects Same itself less than other outlying areas.
Problems with sanitation and water purity are specific problems, which need to be addressed. The Same sub-district has a relatively plentiful supply of water through rivers and creeks but problems with access to water and maintenance of water quality.
Women and children are considered a particular priority; there are many widows following the years of resistance and militia violence. The women have little economic independence.
Family stress following the long period of trauma and difficult economic circumstances is also an issue.
Limited electricity supply has been restored but most homes do not access to electricity for lighting or heating. Provision of alternative sources of renewable energy are important for improving quality of life, particularly due to the health impacts of cooking over open fires in confined spaces.
Opportunities and outlets for the youth of Same are a common concern with high unemployment and lack of training. The town of Same has a community centre, in need of refurbishment, where youth groups meet. There are also limited sporting facilities and equipment catering for sports such as volleyball, soccer, badminton and basketball.
Agriculture
Subsistence agriculture is a primary activity for the district with crops including rice, maize, coffee, corn, beans and vegetables
Friends of Same have been very active in helping to establish a market outlet for coffee, East Timor's primary export commodity. Same is a major coffee growing area. Coffee was planted during the days of Portuguese rule, and grows throughout the hills area. The coffee, exclusively arabica beans, is organically grown; there is little formal cultivation with no use of chemicals or pesticides. Prior to Independence, little of East Timor's coffee was available to the Australian market. A long-term strategy of developing and maintaining a market for East Timor coffee enhances economic independence, helping to provide a guaranteed return for coffee farmers.
The Government of Timor-Leste aims to increase agricultural output, in order to improve nutrition, achieve self-sufficiency as well as to generating a surplus for commercial purposes. Programs to assist with developing more sustainable methods of agriculture (a traditional slash and burn approach adopted during the Indonesian occupation) are being conducted in other parts of East Timor which may be able to be adapted to Same. Environmental degradation is a common problem throughout much of East Timor. Alternative crops are also being explored.
Communications
Like most of East Timor, Same faces considerable difficulties with communications, exacerbated by the rough state of most roads and its location in the mountains, some distance from Dili. There is no regular postal service and an intermittent electrical supply, which limits communication via the internet. A reliable telephone service is yet to be restored. The mobile telephone service is extremely expensive and unaffordable for most Timorese, even those on reasonable incomes. Basic communications need to be addressed as a priority to enable a free flow of information, as well as direct contact with the outside world.
What has Friends of Same achieved?
Established the Coffee project with sales by volunteers at markets, community festivals and school fetes. A growing network of retail outlets is now selling coffee from Friends of Same. Proceeds from sales go towards projects in Same.
Established a scholarship program for vocational education, senior secondary level, at two of East Timor's highly regarded technical colleges, at Don Bosco Technical School at Fatumaca (for boys) and St Mary's Mazzarello Vocational High School at Venilale (for girls). The program has been recently extended to provide places for students from Same to the Salesian Agricultural and Veterinary Science College at Fuiloro, a five year program with three years secondary school followed by two years post-secondary. Friends of Same is also supporting students to undertake primary teacher training at Baucau Teachers College.
Funded the construction of a centre for training for people with low vision in Same, supporting the work of the non-government agency, Fundsaun Fuan Nabilan Ba Matan Aat. Funding has covered building construction to lock up stage and connection of services. A solar energy unit has been installed with the assistance of the Alternative Technologies Association, as a demonstration model for solar power in Same.
Supported the visit of Pro-Care Eye Team to Same and Manufahi District.
Promoted Timorese textiles, including funding the visit to Melbourne of a master weaver in Tais from Same, accompanied by Weaving Manager for Timor Aid, to help promote export market opportunities, and self-sustainability. Launch of the Thread Bank to help with quality, workplace conditions and output. Timorese textiles are sold by the Friends of Same at markets and other venues.
Provided direct assistance to the local coffee industry by funding a coffee farmer to undertake a study tour of Vanuatu (Tanna Island, centre of Vanuatu's coffee farmers) to learn relevant techniques for improving the quality and quantity of coffee output. Friends of Same have also purchased equipment to improve coffee harvesting and processing techniques (in conjunction with the project Timor Nia Klamar).
Supported literacy through the development of a literacy kit, the Alpha-Same, for use in schools and adult literacy classes in Timor-Leste. The Alpha-Same is a pack of letters, numbers and punctuation aids which will allow teachers to more effectively teach languages, including Tetum, Portuguese, and English. Supported by a donation from Kew High School and funds raised by the 2005 Library Trivia Night, the Alpha-Same kit is being used for teacher training and classroom use, by the Mary McKillop Institute for East Timor Studies, and by the Timorese NGO, Timor Aid, for adult literacy. Literacy support has also included the purchase and distribution of Tetum-English dictionaries to schools in Same/Manufahi. supported by a donation from Ivanhoe Grammar.
Material aid: shipping of typewriters, computers and sewing machines to and East Timor, in association with the Lions Club of Dandenong. Sports gear and books have also been sent to local schools in Same; a school sports competition was conducted by MLC, which enabled purchase and donation of sports equipment. Funds were allocated for a shipment of school supplies including art materials through the Alola Foundation's Friendship School Project. The Friends of Same also contributed funds to cover the costs of shipment of containers of goods to Same and East Timor, through Rotary Donations in Kind.
Support for the Australia-East Timor Friendship School Project, through development of curriculum resources, and funding to support the Alola Team in Dili. Also, support for school-to-school links between schools in Boroondara and schools in the Same sub-district.
Provision of planning advice to the District Administrator and the Commission for Same, covering plans for the future of Same township.
Support for improving health services through provision of maternity and baby kits to Same hospital and community health centres; donation of medical goods, and funding of the manufacture of hospital gowns for the Same hospital. Also funded the provision of medical supplies for the IMM health clinic.
Funded the provision of playground equipment for a local kindergarten.
Alternative energy: micro-hydro feasibility study involving extensive research and investigation work, including fieldwork in the Same area. Ongoing project to help overcome chronic problems with the availability of electricity.
Support for the visit of six scouts and a leader from Same to attend the Australian Jamboree in January 2007, to help foster leadership skills, provide opportunities for young people in Same, and build links between the scouting movement in Australia and Scouts in Timor-Leste, and in particular, links between Boroondara Scouts and Same.
Organised a Mayoral reception and public meeting, hosted by the City of Boroondara, for Dr Jose Ramos-Horta, then Foreign Minister, now prime Minister of Timor-Leste.
Fundraising activities. As well as social events, activities have drawn upon local sporting associations, service groups, schools and businesses. There is an extensive network of community support for Friends of Same projects.
Future projects
The Friends of Same has focused on developing links with local administrators in the Same Sub-District, and individuals and organizations, with the aim of identifying local priorities and working in with local decision-making. Opportunities for developing initiatives in conjunction with other service groups and non-government agencies are also being explored.
A forthcoming project is the proposed reconstruction of a school in a remote location, the Escola Primaria, Rotuto. Community donations will fund this project. Development of micro-hydro and alternative energy sources remains a key goal.
Updated on 09 April 2007.
