When Covid 19 closed communities around the world, the communities in Timor Leste, village of Aubeon and nearby Uma Bucu and Soibada were struck by yet another pandemic – starvation.
The GVC immediately arranged for funds to be sent across to help approximately 150 families with basic food supplies such as rice, beans, potatoes and supply of washing soap. Our Project Officer with help from Mr. Domingo (village chief), our teachers and other employees, and other community members worked very hard to purchase the supplies, pack them up and then distribute them to those in need. In June, the government of Timor Leste has commenced paying families on low or no income with $200 per month for the next two months. We will wait to see if that payment continues until restrictions are lifted and people go about doing what they do to sustain the already tragic lives which is very much below the poverty line.
