NRC Timor Leste education team

 In 2009 the money was dedicated to NRC projects on education in Timor Leste. On this occasion I was invited to conduct scout activities at the NRC Youth Education Programme (YEP) centres in Timor Leste.

During the Timorese independence in 1999 and the conflicts in 2006 houses and entire villages were burned, infrastructure destroyed and many people killed. Limited access to education, high unemployment rates and violent gangs are some of the challenges for the young nation. Timor Leste, an island with green mountains, long white beaches surrounded by crystal blue water, glittering in the sunshine and the welcoming NRC staff, were in sharp contrast to the images Norwegian media had created of this island. Was this really the same Timor Leste I had seen in the media?

Aureo (in orange), leader of YEP Manatuto: “I have learned many new activities that I will teach the other students and trainers. I am glad Trine came, so our youth get to meet people from other countries and cultures. we need to look outside Timor Leste to develop and get new experiences and knowledge”.

The scouting method
While planning the scout training mana Therese (NRC education manager) advised me to “Keep it simple and fun”. For three months I trained students at the five YEP centres in leadership skills, team work, conflict reflection, map and compass, life saving, construction of a stretcher, swimming and how they can volunteer in their communities. In scouting we use the method “learning by doing”, focusing on the children and youths ability to learn from their own experiences. Scouts become responsible by being given responsibility and leaders by being given the opportunity to lead. Central to scouting is respecting and understanding others regardless of differences and including all team members to pull together. The scout method and values seemed to fit very well to the ideas of the YEP centres.

The YEP students enjoyed the scout training 
The YEP students were very happy about the scout training, enjoyed learning new things and found the content valuable for their communities and future work. In Timor Leste it is often difficult to get people to volunteer so the YEP students asked numerous questions regarding volunteerism and why I volunteered at the YEP centres. Both the students and I gained new insights through our lively discussions and they were impressed that Norwegian scouts do fundraising for education in Timor Leste.

NRC Timor Leste
The NRC team was very helpful, they assisted me in finding material for the training, helped me translate and always took the time to explain and discuss. They made me feel welcome and were eager to learn about how things are done in Norway and to teach me about their culture. I learned a lot about managing education programme, utilizing the local and international competencies from the NRC. I was impressed about how NRC worked to give the Timorese ownership of the education program, to make them proud and realize the value of their work. I think this is an important reason for the good working environment I experienced. 

The Gleno YEP students got the challenge of being scout leaders for one day and train children in a nearby village in the scout activities they had learned from me.

Do we live in the same world?
I truly appreciate how my Timorese colleagues shared their stories about growing up in Timor Leste. In 1998/99, while I was in high school, some of my Timorese colleagues dropped out of school due to the conflicts; while I went hiking in the Norwegian mountains teaching my scouts that the mountains is a safe place, one of my Timorese friend hiked on slippery paths in the dark nights to carry goods to the resistance forces; while I enjoyed free time activities some Timorese friends were fleeing to save their lives. Often I ask myself “Are we really living in the same world?”

 

I am teaching a YEP student to swim

It was impressive to see how my Timorese friends now are looking towards the future with hope for their nation and poor people. I met people who are running alphabetization programs, who are engaged in politics to fight corruption, who want to learn from Norway and humanitarian organizations so they can become politicians and serve their country in the best way.

I hope NRC and NSF will continue this collaboration for exchange of knowledge.