“Timor Children’s Foundation partners with the World Relief Overseas Aid Fund by acting as its agent for fundraising and the delivery of relief and development projects in developing countries.”

 

Improving the level of education is crucial in creating a brighter future for East Timorese. Currently more than 50% of the people of East Timor cannot read or write. Improving the education and skills of their community, will have a flow through effect on their living conditions.

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The Scholarships Project was started in 1990.  It began with Mr Arie van Klinken’s vision to support one student to complete their studies and has expanded to support over 300 students in 2015.

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The Scholarships Project and it’s Committee amalgamated with the Timor Children’s Foundation in 2007. Principally, the Scholarship project involves the provision of scholarships for East Timorese students, and support for some training colleges in East Timor. We have established an oversight committee in East Timor to help support and resource this work for the longer term.  Bank Term Deposits are held in Australia to ensure the completion of all students courses should donations fall away in any year.

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The Scholarships project works on two main avenues:

1. High School and Tertiary Student Program
   The Scholarships Project provides support to university and senior high school students in East Timor by paying their fees. Contributions are also given to final year tertiary students to assist with the cost of thesis preparation.

2. Vocational Training Program
   Unemployment in East Timor is approximately 60%. The Timor Children’s Foundation identified that support could be provided to encourage students to undertake TAFE-type training to become tradesmen such as carpenters, electricians and motor mechanics, and also training in administration and office work.Under this program funding is provided to reputable organisations to assist them to run such courses. The two organisations currently being supported are:

    

   1. Don Bosco Institute provides a one year course for the training of motor mechanics, carpenters, plumbers and electricians. These courses are providing a significant contribution to training in East Timor.

   2. Dili Institute of Technology (DIT) is a privately run institute that provides training in business (office work and bookkeeping) and engineering (motor mechanic, welding, electrical, etc)Each student that applies for assistance for study, is assessed by the Community Oversight Committee based in East Timor. This Committee carries out the necessary ‘on the ground’ work on the Foundation’s behalf. Rev Moises De Silva is the Project Co-ordinator in East Timor.

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Since 1999 there has been ongoing growth in this project, thanks to the assistance of our donors.

The Scholarships Project is a tax deductible project through World Relief Australia.

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