Kilbur Aleizadus Timor-Loro Sa’e (Katilosa) is a small non-government organisation (NGO) that aims to provide support and treatment for children and families living with disabilities. Australian Marist Solidarity (AMS) is proud to partner with Katilosa to support some of the most neglected and forgotten people in the region.
“Abelina” (pictured left), 14 years of age and youngest of nine children, is one of 61 young people assisted by Katilosa last year. Born with a disability, Abelina did not start walking or speaking as expected. With the support of Katilosa, through physical therapy and providing support and training for her parents to provide in-home care, Abelina is now able to speak and walk.
Katilosa has also facilitated her acceptance into the local school where she is in first grade. This is a major accomplishment for both Abelina, her family and the school community.
The family and Katilosa have achieved this despite the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste’s resistance to ratifying the convention on the rights of persons with a disability. Unfortunately, this reinforces the social and cultural alienation that occurs due to traditionally held fear and misunderstanding of people with a disability[1]. This leads to them being “shunned, ignored, driven out of communities, imprisoned in rooms or chained to objects to keep them out of sight”[2].
For more information on Katilosa or to support their work visit our project page:
https://www.australianmaristsolidarity.net.au/project/katilosa/
Adalino an assistant at Katalosa stretches the feet of a young girl who attends the centre.
[1] BESIK 2010 Disability and Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Timor Leste. http://www.addc.org.au/documents/resources/100727-disability-and-rural-water-sanitation-and-hygiene-timor-leste_1458.pdf
[2] Ibid