Our partners in Timor-Leste report that excellent progress has been made on the first stage of construction at the Abafala Catholic Primary School in Timor-Leste.
The school, which is currently in a state of significant disrepair, is being restored and reconstructed to provide students a safe, clean and greatly-improved learning environment.
Our Marist Solidarity liaison in Timor-Leste, Brother Tony Clarke, reports that a special ceremony was held at the school on September 21 to bless the new foundations.
The ceremony was led by Bishop Basilio Nascimento and included representatives from the community and current students. It was followed by speeches and a lunch banquet.
Brother Tony says the ceremony was “very moving”, and it was an “exciting moment for the whole community.”
He also says that local Timorese builders and labourers are providing good quality work under the daily supervision of the project architect Alex Gutteres (pictured below centre).
Brother Tony says that work is now running ahead of schedule and the buildings are on track to be finished before Christmas—ready for the start of the new school year.
The Diocese of Baucau’s Catholic Education Director, Madre Herminia Sarmento, says that teachers at the school are already talking about celebrating the inauguration of the stage one buildings, which looks set to be at the end of January.
This first stage of construction includes a new building with three classrooms, toilets and repairs and renovations to the staff room.
Abafala is a very remote community located in the district of Baucau. It is one of the poorest communities in the district.
The school is the only primary school in the district and currently provides education for about 135 students.
Marist Solidarity is grateful for the generous support it has received this year from students at Galen Catholic College in Wangaratta, Notre Dame College in Shepparton, and Catholic College Sale.
To donate to the second stage of this much-needed project please email us at msol@marists.org.au or click here to find out more about our work in Timor-Leste.