One way Exchanges
The Timor-Leste (East Timor)
Experience
PDG Peter KayeD9550 Australia
Class of 2012
Solange Pinto Ribiero Pires Maria Jose Sanches
Why one-way?
D9550 is certified to support Outbound students only, as the government of Timor-Leste is yet to develop child protection laws.
Reciprocal exchanges therefore will be prohibited until such time Certification requirements can be met.
Timor-Leste (East Timor)
Champions for independence 2002
Coat of ArmsTimor-Leste
Xanana Gusmao Jose Ramos-Horta
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao with Rebounds 2008
Keeping the peace
Since independence in 2002, the UN has maintained a peace keeping force in East Timor recently lead by Australia.
Australian soldiers on patrolAustralian Major General Peter Cosgrove - right
Rotary District 9550Zone 8
___________
Natalino de Jesus SoaresClass of 2010
Timor Leste - Basic Statistics
Area 15,410 sq klm (5,950 sq miles) Government Democratic republic Population 1.1 Million (50% under 30) Languages Tetum and Portuguese (official
languages) Indonesian, English Religion Catholic – 96% Literacy 41% Income 42% of population $1 per day or
less Currency US Dollar
Rotary presence
One Rotary club RC of Dili
Membership Average 20
Programs Humanitarian
HealthWaterRotaract 65
(members)YEP (2 outbound
annually)
Elisabeth MonezClass of 06/07
Pelagia SoaresClass of 07/08
YEP History Timor-Leste
Non reciprocal agreement negotiated between D4610 Brazil and D9550 Australia in 2004, with first placement in 2005.
Two students selected each year for long term program since 2006
Hosting Brazil Districts 4610, 4650, 4430 and 4590
Students continue to travel to Australia for Orientation and training.
Rodolfo Testa
Peter Kaye
First student fromTimor-Leste 2005
Ligia Da Costa Santos
Why Brazil? • Brazil and East Timor share a common
background being colonised by the Portuguese in XVI century.
• Brazil was one of the first countries to recognise East Timor’s independence in 2002
• Brazil and East Timor share Portuguese as an official language.
• Rotary Brazil has adopted Timorese students, providing an opportunity of learning for the benefit of their young country.
Participants to date2004-05 Da Costa SANTOS Ligia2005-06 MENDONCA Sandra2006-07 MESQUITA Gisela2006-07 MONEZ Elizabeth2007-08 AMARAL Fernando2007-08 SOARES Pelagia2008-09 SOARES MENEZES Alberto2008-09 SOARES Ivo Jaime
Menezes2009-10 SOARES Natalino de
Jesus2009-10 GOMES de JESUS Herval
Duarte2011-12 PIRES Solange2011-12 SANCHES Maria
Ligia and RIP Glenn Estess 2005
The Agreement
D9550 obligations: All travel and visa costs to and from
Australia and to and from Brazil Insurance Blazer Emergency Fund
D4610 obligations Accommodation/hosting costs School expenses Pocket Money Tour
Elisabeth Monez 2006
Funding
D9550 provides 100% sponsorship for two students annually, funded by Rotary clubs who otherwise do not sponsor or host students. Total Cost $15,000
D4610 meets all expenses for the students while in Brazil. (approx. $5,000-$6,000 each)
Application process
Selection is by way of an application to the RC of Dili. With preliminary interviews carried out by a club panel.
Successful applicants given a full Rotary application for completion, then interviewed by District for final selection.
Applications forwarded to Brazil for
acceptance
Nat at home in Brazil
Sandra Mendonca in traditional dresswith host parents 2006
Challenges Poor communication within East Timor
Slow turn around time of paperwork
Multiple visas required
Nearest embassy in Jakarta Indonesia if
NZ stop over is required
Command of English for training and
travel
Customs and Immigration inflexible at
some airports
Funding
Herval Duarte Gomes de JesusClass of 2010
Sao Paulo
The benefits• The program offers an opportunity to
young people, who because of financial constraints might otherwise never experience life in another country.
• Enhance the use of Portuguese, which although an official language is not widely spoken in Timor-Leste.
• The experience has enhanced employment opportunities for some participants who have shown excellent character development.
• The awareness of the plight of young people in Timor-Leste is greater because of the program.
Post Exchange achievements
Sandra Mendonca2006
Secretary to the TL Minister of Foreign Affairs
Gisela Mesquita2007
Law scholarship University in the Philippines
Elizabeth Moniz2007
Studying law Deacon University Australia
Post Exchange achievements
Alberto Soares Menezes2009
Scholarship to study at UWC College Norway
Natalino de Jesus Soares2010
University studying International Relations
Herval Duarte Gomes de Jesus2010
University student studying Law
Comments - Brazil Perspective
• Thorough selection process by D9550 imperative clearly indicating school subjects of interest.
• Reasonable knowledge of Portuguese language
• Host Counsellor selection critical assuming the role of coach in addition to normal role
• Better results may be achieved with students over the age of 18 years
YEP- an observation
From time to time there are comments that YE is a program for the children of affluent Rotarians.
The Timor-Leste experience demonstrates that the principles of Rotary are at work, providing an equal opportunity to the youth of this young country.
QuestionCan the costs of this arrangement be justified?
Of all the successful traditional long term exchanges managed by D9550 Australia, none have had the profound impact on individual students as this one-way exchange program.
The value of this opportunity should not be measured in monetary terms, rather it should be measured in terms of Rotary ideals.
One way exchanges
Delivering Hope
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