Exchange Feb-May 2012 by Austraining International

resources when I first arrived, so we would use recycled items

ago were often hidden because of the stigma they experienced.

Reflections of an APO supported AYAD: Expanding possibilities for children with a disability through art and play in East Timor

and brainstorm craft activities with what was available. I would

I remember that the work is really making an impact on the lives

ask the staff to teach me local games and songs and translate

of these children in a positive way. Whilst working with limited

English nursery rhymes and games into Tetun.

resources and in a challenging environment has meant I have had

When I first arrived in East Timor in early November 2010, I didn’t

with children with physical disabilities and therefore were unaware

I am very thankful for the support of my Australian Partner

quite imagine the impact this country, the work and the people

of what to do with children with intellectual disabilities. The play

Organisation (APO) Many Hands International. The organisation

would have on my life. I worked with an organisation called

and art groups have been particularly successful with children

conducted fundraising and sent a shipment through Melbourne

KATILOSA, (Klibur Alzeizadus Timor Loro Sae) which translates

with intellectual disabilities. During my assignment I have seen a

Rotary of toys, materials, musical equipment and sewing

into Disabled Persons organisation of East Timor.

change in the behaviour of the children and their development.

machines for an income generation program I helped establish. It

They have really responded to the programs, the activity space,

wasn’t only the children who attend the centre who enjoyed the

KATILOSA works predominantly with children and young people

the emphasis on play and reading and the opportunity to learn

toys, for many of the staff who grew up in the villages never had

with disabilities with an understanding that early detection,

and reach their full potential.

the opportunity to play with toys like kids in Australia.

outcomes. Programs focus on disability-inclusive education

Of course, my assignment held some big challenges which are

While my year has definitely had its ups and downs, I feel I have

and rehabilitation, and community awareness raising through

part of the realities of working in a developing country. One week

only scratched the surface of what I can do in East Timor. The

advocacy campaigns aimed at to overcoming social stigmas

the programs would be running successfully and everything

people and the spirit of the country have won my heart. Through

that act as a major obstacle for people with disability accessing

seemed to be working really well. I would be smiling at our

my APO, I have an opportunity to return to Timor to work on a

services in East Timor.

success and singing all the new children’s songs I had learnt

project developing books with children in their local dialects, as

to appreciate small victories, I still feel my assignment has been Most of the time I felt incredibly lucky to work with KATILOSA

successful.

and the children it supported. Staff had previously only worked

prevention and education are effective ways to achieve strong

as I rode home on my motorbike. Then the next week, after a

part of a project with local NGO The Alola Foundation. The books

My assignment involved setting up programs in the remote

downpour of rain, the road would be a big mud pit. A car could

will be part of a larger project that focuses on using mother-

village of Darasula and working alongside local staff to run a radio

not go through the bog, so we could not bring any children to

tongue languages in the first years of education to improve

advocacy campaign. I worked with my counterparts to establish

the centre. I began to question why a centre for people with

educational outcomes for children in East Timor. I look forward to

an inclusive playgroup and arts program for children with all

disabilities was built in a place which is so inaccessible, when the

this next challenge, with a little less naivety about what is ahead

abilities.

most important thing is accessibility.

but with enthusiasm to return to my newfound community of

It took the first few months to make any real progress. First I had

The biggest obstacle to work in East Timor is the poor

to develop adequate language skills, as no one in my workplace

infrastructure as result of limited development and civil unrest,

spoke English. As my language skills developed, so did my

which leaves children and families living in impoverished

relationships within the country.

conditions. I would get so frustrated by the lack of resources

friends.

but the Timorese with so much strength and resilience just keep My assignment was really fun and a major highlight was the

going. I have learnt so much about patience and acceptance

amazing energy that my counterparts brought to everything

whilst working in an uncertain environment. I remember that we

they did. We ran workshops to show staff how to use games,

have been able to develop programs that are fun, educational

music, art and drama to develop children’s skills. There were no

and inclusive for these children with disabilities, who only 10 years