This is the story of Amivi, a driven young women in Baucau, Timor-Leste striving to better herself and community through education.
Amivi is 16-year-old who is enrolled in extra-curriculum classes at The Children and Youth Centre (CYC) Ponta Leste. Born in the village of Bahú, in the district of Baucau, located on the northern coast in the eastern part of the country of Timor-Leste Amivi is currently in year 11 at school. Commencing at the centre in September 2016 Amivi has undertaken mathematics and English courses at CYC Ponta Leste and is currently enrolled in a computer course.
Amivi is especially proud of her recent academic achievements in the fields of mathematics, English, physics and chemistry. She feels good about being able to help her friends with their mathematics and English so that they can also achieve good results. These are subject areas that she has been able to develop partly thanks to CYC Ponta Leste.
As a devoted student, Amivi’s primary focus is to finish high school with good results and go onto university. There she hopes to study engineering because she believes that Timor-Leste needs help in developing its infrastructure for future generations. Timor-Leste still relies heavily on the aid and expertise of other nations in construction, mechanics, technology and many other professions.
Outside of school Amivi is practicing counselling in an oratory. Mainly, to practice working and engaging with other young, likeminded individuals.
CYC Ponta Leste is a Timorese run organisation that works in partnership with Australian Marist Solidarity. CYC Ponta Leste is based in Baucau, East Timor and was established in 2006. In Baucau there is a high level of unemployment so the centre also creates employment and stimulates the local economy while students are kept off the street and engaged in educational activities. It aims to protect children’s rights and provide a safe and friendly environment where children and youth can access services and extra-curriculum classes.
CYC Ponta Leste currently runs five after school classes: sports, English, literature, music and computers. Children’s rights workshops are conducted for the students and the local community and sporting events are held throughout the year. A resource centre is available with books, games and other activities. Approximately 150 children and youth aged between the age of 6 and 20 attend classes at the centre every week.
To find out more about this project please visit CYC Ponta Leste | ET0019.
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