Projects
The Friends of Same was established in 2002 by the City of Boroondara as part of the friendship relationships program, to enable residents to develop community to community links with the people of the sub-district of Same and the District of Manufahi, as part of community rebuilding. We are a community-based group supported by the Council, and overseen by an official council committee (the Friends of Same Steering Committee), chaired by Cr Luke Tobin. Participation in the Friends of Same is open to anyone in the City of Boroondara with an interest in Timor-Leste, or anyone with links to Same/ Manufahi.
The Friends of Same has been instrumental in educating the Boroondara community about life in the newly independent nation of Timor-Leste, and in the District of Manufahi in particular, in which the township of Same is located. This has been accomplished via public forums, displays, and representation at local markets and schools.
The most prominent community-based activity undertaken by the Friends of Same has been the promotion and sale of East Timorese coffee, one of the few export products of Timor-Leste. A growing number of retail outlets are now selling Friends of Same coffee. The coffee can be purchased over the counter at all Council offices, and at various local markets, community festivals and school fetes.
Part of the proceeds of coffee sales, together with donations from the community, have helped fund a range of projects in the Same sub-district and in East Timor. The Friends of Same receives in-kind assistance from the City of Boroondara, after an initial seeding funding of $5000 (community grant), to assist in the administration and delivery of these projects.
Ongoing projects
- Australian Friendship School Project, supported by Friends of Same. Three local schools are involved, Chatham Primary School (linked to SDN Betano), All Hallows Primary School (linked to SDK Letefohu) and St Michael's Primary School (linked to San Miguel Arjanco primary school in Same). Other local schools supporting the Alola Friendship School Project include Xavier College and MLC. The Friends of Same has also been involved in producing curriculum resource materials for schools (Ken Masters).
- Coffee promotion and sales.
- Investigation of prospects for micro-hydro electricity and sustainable energy programs.
- Ongoing planning advice as required.
- Scholarship program.
- Thread Bank/support for Timorese textiles.
- Support for literacy and training.
- Support for the vision-impaired.
Future projects
- Support for the vision-impaired through assistance to the local NGO, Fuan Nabilan, in establishing a centre for training in Same. This would be available for other disability programs.
- Repairs to Rotutu School, located in the more remote parts of Manufahi, two hours walking distance from Same township (under investigation).
- Support for local economic initiatives.
- Support for agriculture and nutrition.
- Support for health services (possible project for children’s health facilities- Rainbow Committee).
Priority-setting will be a joint exercise with the local commission set up to liaise with the Friends of Same (Commission for the Development of Same). Several members of the Friends of Same have visited Timor-Leste at their own expense, some in repeat visits. The connections developed through these visits, together with advice from other regular visitors and support organizations, are building knowledge and expertise within the group to respond effectively to local needs.
Past and current projects
| Date | Project | Contribution (AU$) |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | In collaboration with MLC, funds were raised at a school basketball tournament for the purchase of 2003 sporting equipment | $1,500.00 |
| 2003 | Contribution to sporting equipment and paint to renovate volleyball court | $150.00 |
| February 2003 | Donation to the Alola Foundation Friendship School Project—art and school supplies for schools in Timor-Leste | $2,000.00 |
| September 2003 | Contribution to kindergarten in Same for the provision of playground equipment | US$1068 |
| September 2003 | Purchase of medical supplies for IMM health clinic in Same | US$1719.50 |
| September 2003 | Contribution to local community radio station | $200.00 |
| 2003—ongoing | Vocational education scholarships for students from Same area to attend technical colleges (secondary level) for three years. Three students, one male, two female, are currently attending Don Bosco College at Fatomaca (for boys) and St Mary's College at Venilale, near Baucau. The scholarship includes the entrance examination, tuition fees, travel and establishment costs for each of the students. Four more students have been selected to sit the entrance exam for 2005-2006. Coordinated by Dianne Kinnealy and Barbara Browne. | Estimated total cost per student for the three year program $US785 for boys and $US1005 for girls. |
| 2003—ongoing | The collection and shipment of manual typewriters, computers and sewing machines to Same and East Timor, in association with the Lions Club of Dandenong. Coordinated by Harold Down. | Local transport costs only; volunteer contribution (including support materials). |
| February 2004 | Donation of school uniforms from Highvale Secondary College (shipped to TL and distributed to Same area). Coordinated by Kevin Bain. | School donation |
| June 2004 | Contribution to the VLGA/MAV Timor-Leste Friendship Relationship Program (funding for coordinator based in Dili). | $1,000.00 |
| June 2004 | Contribution to costs of shipment of containers of goods to Same and East Timor, through Rotary | Donations in Kind $2,000.00 |
| August 2004 | Council hosted a Mayoral reception and public meeting for Dr Jose Ramos-Horta, Foreign Minister for Timor-Leste. Coordinated by Esther Anderson. | Council |
| September 2004 | Purchase and distribution of Tetun-English dictionaries to schools in Same/Manufahi. Supported by a donation from Ivanhoe Grammar. | $864.00 |
| September 2004 | Expenses related to micro-hydro feasibility study. Most of the extensive research and investigation work, including field work in the Same area, has been conducted on a voluntary basis, at the expense of individuals associated with the Friends of Same. Coordinated by Kevin Bain. Ongoing project to help overcome chronic problems with the availability of electricity. | $256.00 |
| December 2004 | Support for the Australian Friendship School Project (Alola Foundation). | $500.00 |
| April 2005 | Support for the Pro-Vision Eye Care team visiting the Manufahi District and the work of the NGO, Fuan Nabilan, to assist the vision-impaired. Coordinated by Patricia Woodcroft-Lee. | $500.00 |
| April 2005 | Planning advice to the District Administrator and the Commission for Same, covering plans for the future of Same township. Visit by Don Glasson. | Volunteer |
| May 2005 | Donation by Koonung Heights and St Columba's Uniting Churches to Same coffee project to purchase shade-cloth, small tools and construction materials for plant nursery in Same. | $400.00 |
| June 2005 | Production of Alpha-Same kits for literacy for schools in Timor-Leste. Alpha-Same is a pack of letters, numbers and puntuation aids which will allow teachers to more effectively teach languages, including Tetun, Portuguese, and English. Supported by a donation from Kew High School. Coordinated by Lynn Williams and Tony Barta. | $2,340.00 |
| July 2005 | Donation of medical consumerables from Dr Jon Knaggs, a GP in Boroondara. Coordinated by Esther Anderson. | |
| July 2005 | Study tour to Tanna, Vanuatu for coffee production. Same coffee grower, Clementino Cortereal, accompanied Jenni Kanaley to Tanna. Friends of Same paid for Clementino's airfare. This will have ongoing benefits of improvements in techniques for growing and harvesting coffee in Manufahi, and help enhance the quality and quantity of output. | $2,449.11 |
| August 2005 | Visit to Melbourne of master weaver in Timorese textiles (Tais), 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. Coordinated by Jennie Rawther and the Weaving Group. | Fundraising; all costs covered. Establishment of the Thread Bank. |
| October 2005 | Purchase of maternity kits for Same Hospital (Alola Foundation/GOYA Foundation). Coordinated by Esther Anderson | $1,000.00 |
Updated on 25 January 2008.
