REPORT as on Decem ber 24th 1999
Introduction
Many Friars have responded positively to our report about the political situation and the problems in East Timor, after the ballot. They support our efforts if Franciscan Friars in Indonesia take part in helping refugees from East Timor. We proposed a plan, which has been published on the Internet. The Friars from Australia, Japan, Singapore and Missionzentrale responded to our appeal and send financial support.
To realise the program Br. Marianus Kua OFM and Br. Peter C. Aman OFM were appointed to found Franciscan Service Centre for Refugees (FSCR). At first the centre intended for Kupang but because of the urgency and the real condition of refugees the centre was placed in Atambua. We got special help from Dr. Shierly. Br. Marianus helped her. The Centre was organised as follows:
Health
- Shierly and Marianus served the sick refugees during November and December 1999. The camps of refugees were located in the town of Atambua and the surrounding areas such as Amahaten, Sukabitetek, etc,
- They visited those places helping the sick, examining them and give them medicines. Some nurses help them especially as interpreters, because the patients speak in Tetun, the language spoken in East Timor.
- The problem
: the majority of patients suffer from malnutrition, therefore it is difficult to get cured. Medicines do not work effectively in a condition of malnutrition. Diseases: the majority of patients suffer from malaria, diarrhoea, cough, and malnutrition.
- During these two months Dr. Shierly and Br. Marianus served about 1100 patients.
Encouragement to return home
- In November 19, 1999 Br. Peter C Aman accompanied Minister Provincial to visit our Friars in East Timor (Alas and Welaluhu). Accompanied by Br. Leonitu OFMCap, who was with the Friars during the destruction of East Timor, they visited Atambua. Many refugees wish to return home, but are still afraid, because of many rumours about the bad conditions and lack of security in East Timor. Br. Leonitu gave the refugees correct information about East Timor so as to counter the false rumours.
Emergency School (Tent School) and Nutrition
- Although many children attend schools in Atambua many more cannot attend for various reasons. We set up an emergency school or "tent school"; a facility prepared for the children to learn some basic things such as reading, writing, and mathematics, catechises, and playing.
In order to learn we accompanied a team of KKT (Karya Kepausan Indonesia) from Jakarta. The Parish Priest of Ratubenao agreed and supported our program. He also suggested the tent school take care of the nutritional and intellectual needs of the children. We have two former professional teachers who taught in East Timor. They know the Ltetun language very well and understand the character of East Timor pupils.
Utilities for Emergency School
- Books and pencils or pens.
- Tents and seats.
- A car to take the children to and from the camps.
Some Problems
- The parents have less will to support their children in attending school.
- The problem of language: using Tetun language is better than Indonesian language because most of the children do not understand Indonesian well.
- The children have lost their enthusiasm to learn.
- Tents and Church as places for lessons are not so suitable.
- The contribution of milk and snacks is good for their nutrition but will it not create a kind of dependency?
Approaching the Parents of the Children
- We have planned to visit the parents of the children and making contact with them. We think it would be good to know the parents of the children and to know their family background.
- We would like to meet the parents of the children for a variety of activities.
Time:
This emergency school will last until February 2000, if all the refugees have returned home to East Timor or have decided to be Indonesian citizens.
Atambua. December 24,1999
Br. Peter C. Aman OFM
JPIC Coordinator.
