Community organising is all about building grassroots support. It’s about identifying the people around you with whom you can create a common passionate cause

In 2019 Friends of Baucau took neigbourhoood houses from Darebin and Yarra to visit Timor-Leste to build partnerships between strong grassroots women’s organisations across the two countries.

The trip was a tremendous success.

A formal visit to the municipal offices was a must. The enduring support and friendship between Baucau, Yarra and Darebin at the municipal level creates space for the partnership between women's empowerment organisations to grow and prosper.

A formal visit to the municipal offices was a must. The enduring support and friendship between Baucau, Yarra and Darebin at the municipal level creates space for the partnership between women's empowerment organisations to grow and prosper.

Uma Pas is a shelter in Baucau, servicing women and children fleeing domestic violence. Mana Felismina Belo works closely with the local xefe's and police. The shelter provides secure housing, counselling and re-homing support.

Uma Pas is a shelter in Baucau, servicing women and children fleeing domestic violence. Mana Felismina Belo works closely with the local xefe's and police. The shelter provides secure housing, counselling and re-homing support.

Women empowering women - the Centro Feto Haburas Dezenvolvimento (Women's Growth and Development Centre) is run by Mana Teresa Perera. Their social enterprise cafe provides cultural tourism opportunities through cooking classes - and jobs for local

Women empowering women - the Centro Feto Haburas Dezenvolvimento (Women's Growth and Development Centre) is run by Mana Teresa Perera. Their social enterprise cafe provides cultural tourism opportunities through cooking classes - and jobs for local women.

A visit to the tais weaving factory run by Alola Esperansa in Dili - 17 women and only 1 man on the books. The enterprise is an end-to-end service, and includes weaving, sewing and selling tais products. They also manufacture maternity packs.

A visit to the tais weaving factory run by Alola Esperansa in Dili - 17 women and only 1 man on the books. The enterprise is an end-to-end service, and includes weaving, sewing and selling tais products. They also manufacture maternity packs.

Wonderful to meet strong women leaders (xefes) and to learn about this village's experiences with cooperative coconut farming and the community outcomes that can be delivered through micro-loan schemes.

Wonderful to meet strong women leaders (xefes) and to learn about this village's experiences with cooperative coconut farming and the community outcomes that can be delivered through micro-loan schemes.

This enterprising family of young women talked to us about how they had learnt to sew at the Baucau Catholic School, and then went on to develop up an international business (with Facebook sales) that employs many women in their community in making a

This enterprising family of young women talked to us about how they had learnt to sew at the Baucau Catholic School, and then went on to develop up an international business (with Facebook sales) that employs many women in their community in making and selling machine embroidered tablecloths, wedding pillows and other special occasion gifts. And it was super to also hear about their family friendly working culture.

We concluded our travels around the municipality with a two day workshop that brought together a range of women to share experiences and food and friendship ... and to plan for the future.

We concluded our travels around the municipality with a two day workshop that brought together a range of women to share experiences and food and friendship ... and to plan for the future.

Cooking food together and then sharing the meal is a strong foundation for friendship in any culture. This lunch featuring traditional foods - prepared by many hands - was a highlight of our time in Baucau.

Cooking food together and then sharing the meal is a strong foundation for friendship in any culture. This lunch featuring traditional foods - prepared by many hands - was a highlight of our time in Baucau.

Xefe Rui and his family welcomed us to his house for a traditional meal followed by a tour around the village.

Xefe Rui and his family welcomed us to his house for a traditional meal followed by a tour around the village.

Agriculture is one of the primary industries in Timor-Leste.

Agriculture is one of the primary industries in Timor-Leste.

 

NHVic Conference Video

Whilst in Timor-Leste, the neighbourhood houses put together a video of their trip to share at the Neighbourhood Houses Victoria annual conference.