The objectives of this document are to
explain clearly the goals and elements of Ahisaun’s project to build a new
disability center in Kukoa, Ermera District. It is the hope that from this
document donors and other stakeholders can understand the complexity of the
project and the social needs for it. Furthermore it is the hope that this
document gives transparency to the project and instills a level of trust with
donors and other stakeholders that may make it easier to give support to the
project.
Ahisaun
Ahisaun Disability Foundation was founded
in the year 2000 to promote and advocate for the rights of people with
disabilities in Timor-Leste. Ahisaun is a local word meaning “The Light of
Friendship” which projects Ahisaun’s vision for people with disabilities to
work hand in hand and share knowledge with all people. Ahisaun provides care,
housing, education, practical training opportunities and reaches out to people
with disabilities in remote and marginalized areas. Ahisaun currently has an
established center in Dili and is expanding into the activity for this Community house
Kukoa
Kukoa is a town within the Ermera District.
It sits on the side of a mountain overlooking undulating hills and the town of
Gleno approximately 10 km South. Kukoa is approximately 35 km South of Dili and
takes approximately 2 hours to travel there on a damaged road. The Ermera
district has a population of approximately 116,937, and the Sub-district of
Railako of which Gleno and Kukoa belong has a population of approximately.
disabilities who don’t yet have the same
opportunities as those in Dili to gain the necessary education and training in
order to lives of dignity and freedom. Many are living in sub-standard
accommodation and suffer malnutrition. People with disabilities often suffer
the elements of poverty more severely, at the same time as battling
misconceptions about their abilities and rightful place in society from their
family and from the community. Of course the Ermera District is no exception in
this regard. With its isolation, rocky terrain and lack of social services,
people with disabilities in this region are one of the groups in greatest need
of support.
Furthermore in the Kukoa community directly
surrounding the new Ahisaun centre, there is currently no clean water supply to
meet the needs of the local primary school and approximately 484 people. The
local population presently has to walk 10 km to fetch water from a close by
town called Gleno or alternatively drink unsanitary water they can find close
by.
The Ahisaun centre in Kukoa seeks to
resolve these problems.
The Project
The Centre in Kukoa will provide for
Education and training, with the goal of implementing the same successful
programs as have been implemented in the Dili centre over the last 11 years.
Members will be given the opportunity to go to school and/or university as well
as following practical training both in-house and outside in music, agriculture,
handicrafts, horticulture/agriculture and shoe making. Also as part of the
project, Ahisaun will supply clean water to the local community. The project’s
phases are as follows.
Complete the main center, including the training
room, two bathrooms, two offices and two bedrooms.
Complete the Water system to Ahisaun and to the community, as well
as completing the perimeter fence.
Complete the additional member accommodation and guest
accommodation.
Furthermore, one of the struggles within
the disability community in Timor-Leste is finding those disadvantaged people
with disabilities whom require help. This is most likely due to the isolation
of the districts along with the tendency of families to hide their kin who have
disabilities rather than openly seek help and opportunities for them. It is the
hope that by having a centre in the Ermera District, Ahisaun can find more
people with disabilities to assist within Ermera and the directly surrounding
districts.
