EIGHT young Timorese have their sights firmly set on World Youth Day in Sydney next year thanks to the East Timor Support Group of Sunnybank parish.
The group’s fundraising target is $18,000, to transport and accommodate the chosen eight, and it has raised about half.
Melly Santos (pictured), from Balibo parish, situated about 10 km from the Indonesian border, said she is looking forward to the event as it will strengthen her faith and give her greater insights in terms of involvement of youth in the Church.
“World Youth Day will strengthen my … fraternity with many friends from the international community,” she said.
Melly’s mother and father have both died and she lives with her brother.
Melly studies English at the Catholic University of Widya Mandira Kupang in Indonesia.
Yohanes Edy is from Bobinaro parish, located on the boarder between East and West Timor.
He envisions becoming “a pioneer of peace” following the WYD08 experience.
Yohanes is the third of seven brothers from a family he describes as “simple”.
He works as a journalist to support his family – his father is deceased – and is the youth co-ordinator for St Anthony’s, Balibo.
Lourdes Baretto lives in Malilait, in Bobonaro, the second most western district of the west half of the island.
She said she is “very glad” to go to Sydney next year.
“World Youth Day is very important for my future and for the parish. It is good for people to gather from around the world,” she said.
Lourdes admitted to having to polish her English skills before going and is passionate about taking the positives of the WYD08 experience home with her for the benefit of others.
“I must pay serious attention in the program.”
Albino de Jesus Mota, also from Bobonaro, was born in Soelesu, Marobo.
Admitting that he can no longer afford to continue studying, Albino is grateful to those who have made the trip to Australian shores possible.
The 26 year-old completed high school in Maliana and began studying at Dom Martinho Lopes University in Dili.
Norberto Jose is the youth co-ordinator in the Bobinaro district and works closely with parish priest Fr Siprianus Kaput.
Norberto visited Our Lady of Lourdes, Sunnybank in 2005 and with fellow parishioners Joao Vicente, Alfonso Lopes and Fr Cyrus Banque, attended Emmanuel Community’s Ignite conference during their stay.
East Timor Support Group member Peter Fitzsimmons said prayerful support was as important as financial.
“Everybody is having an effect and the most important part is prayer. This is the Church in active mission,” he said.
