Timor-Leste has one of those great underdog stories that gets a hold of you – courage under fire amidst tremendous loss, and yet eventual triumph against the odds. But that triumph brings a new beginning and a new battle.
Maluk Timor is a community who recognise that the future of health in Timor-Leste rests with her people, and that together we have the opportunity to change the health of the nation. Working alongside both our dynamic Timorese staff and our dedicated international volunteers fills me with hope for what can be achieved.
I am a General Practitioner and former Medical Director for PNG for International SOS. My interest in Timor-Leste began in 1999 during the very tense times leading up to the independence referendum and the tragic aftermath of their brave vote for independence.
After a two-week trip across the beautiful island in 2006 with the then Consul General for East Timor, Abel Guterres, in 2006, I began work on trying to make a medical difference with others for the inspiring Timorese people. Despite the hardships they face daily, their warmth and smiles and their grace and dignity in the face of adversity has kept me focused on trying to help them to be better equipped to help themselves for the last 13 years.
As a doctor in Australia who frequently visits Timor, I am continually dumbfounded and inspired to action by the enormous difference in health opportunities between the two countries. There is enormous potential to collaborate with Timorese health care workers and the Timorese government to support and educate and to improve health outcomes.
Maluk Timor developed from a small group of committed, passionate volunteers to become an organisation, a family with more than 60 members that is deeply engaged with the people, communities, health care workers and the Timorese government to work together to relieve suffering, to develop health capacity and to make a difference.
Timor-Leste is one of Australia's closest neighbours and one that we have a long and "not so honourable" history with. For me, when a close neighbour has large and unmet needs you should help, and when you add the context of our history with Timor-Leste it makes it even more compelling to do something.
There are many more compelling reasons why Maluk Timor is the organisation I want to work with to help this young nation get the start it deserves. We are focused in health care where there is a large and unmet need, we have a team and Board that have many years of on the ground experience in Timor-Leste – so we know how to get stuff done, and the combination of skills, passion and authenticity we bring to bear are both extraordinary and exciting to be part of.
I was lucky to be born in Australia and to have had the advantages and opportunities afforded through my family life, our society, education and health systems. One of our closest neighbours – Timor Leste – was emerging from a recent traumatic past and striving to rebuild their infrastructure and services in the face of significant challenges. One of the big challenges is health services.
I believe that all people should have access to good quality health care and to know that less than an hour's flight north of Australia people were dying or suffering significant long term disability from preventable or treatable diseases inspired me to join an organisation committed to improving this situation.
I joined the Board because I wanted to use my experience to help where it was truly needed.
From the moment I arrive in Timor-Leste in 2013 I was hooked (after the shock and intrigue). The people are happy, respectful, loving, grateful and often remarkably full of joy for the simple things in life. They don't have or need much. They are keen to improve their lot and that of their countrymen.
This wider group of remarkable people – this Maluk Family – are determined to facilitate this. I feel privileged to be part of it.
Working in the fast-paced professional services world, I find being involved with Maluk Timor as an opportunity to take time-out and to remind myself of how lucky we are in Australia. Timor-Leste is one of our closest neighbours and as Australians we have a strong history with them.
It is very inspiring meeting collectively as the Board, reflecting on the activities that we are undertaking and the journey that the organisation has been one. It is rewarding working with a team that shares the same joint purpose and vision.
Josh is passionate about global and Indigenous child health, and in addition to his clinical and academic roles in the Northern Territory, he also provides leadership to projects in Timor-Leste that are focussed on strengthening healthcare delivery, clinical training and operational research. Josh has been active in developing strategic improvements to the management of tuberculosis that have significantly impacted on the national tuberculosis program of Timor-Leste.
I came to hear about the oral health of the Timor Leste people and felt that I may be able to help.
Timor Leste is our closest neighbour and a country with a very low standard of overall healthcare, dental care being one of the areas in great need.
I am privileged to be associated with a dedicated group of people under the banner of Maluk Timor. In relation to improving oral health Maluk Timor focuses on building capacity, skills and competence.
For me, this bodes well for a continued improvement in the Timor Leste communities oral health through the goal of dental services being provided in the future by the Timorese people.
Timor-Leste is one of Australia's closest neighbours and one that we have a long and "not so honourable" history with.
For me, when a close neighbour has large and unmet needs you should help, and when you add the context of our history with Timor-Leste it makes it even more compelling to do something.
There are many more compelling reasons why Maluk Timor is the organisation I want to work with to help this young nation get the start it deserves.
We are focused in health care where there is a large and unmet need, we have a team and Board that have many years of on the ground experience in Timor-Leste – so we know how to get stuff done, and the combination of skills, passion and authenticity we bring to bear are both extraordinary and exciting to be part of.
I am a proud Australian, a WA farm girl, wife, doctor and mother to four. We have been born into a life of blessing, a free and stable country that has a quality healthcare and education system. A land rich in resources. But we, like so many countries have shadows in our past. I believe in sharing what we have, loving our neighbours and the concept of 'passing it on'. This life philosophy brings me great satisfaction and fulfilment in Timor Leste as our skills, ideas and coaching yield such bountiful results to advance the quality of healthcare together. Our little investment has such a big impact, a national impact.
Maluk Timor brings together the next generation of local leaders who are passionate and committed about investing in the future of their country, and an amazing group of experienced and talented volunteers who have left ego behind to help the cause. They are, quite simply, a refreshing and inspiring group of people to do life with.
I believe in health equity and am committed to achieving this by serving vulnerable populations and advocating for public and planetary health. For me, Timor-Leste is a good place to start because it is so close to our shores, the absolute need is so great, and vast improvements are within reach.
Sometimes it's much easier to sit back and say it's too hard. Sometimes your conscience won't let you do that.
I didn't know much about East Timor till I was approached by an old work colleague about building a website for this mob running a clinic up there. As soon as I learned of epic health challenges in a very young country that is literally on Australia's doorstep I knew I had to help.
I was first attracted to Timor Leste as I felt a sense of responsibility to learn about it's rich yet traumatic history, especially given the role Australia has played. As a medical student, eager to learn about developing world medicine, it was hard to look past Timor Leste as I couldn't believe that the world's fourth hungriest country was on Australia's doorstep. It also stunned me to realise that despite Australia's invention of penicillin 80 years ago, a country only one hour from our shores, was struggling to distribute penicillin to vulnerable children for prevention of life threatening rheumatic heart disease.
I originally connected with Maluk Timor as a final year medical student who had a keen interest in public health. This organisation initially stood out to me for its impressive and effective interventions for health care inequality in Timor Leste. However, the reason I became passionate enough to stay involved was Maluk Timor's investment in people. Maluk means family, and I felt so welcomed into their incredible family, that it became too hard to leave.