Fence builders build relations

Staff on deployment in East Timor are making a tangible difference in their local community, most recently with a ‘number eight wire’ approach.

Contingent 4, which has been in East Timor since 10 October last year, went into the mission with a mandate to bring about change in their districts.

Two of the staff, Sergeant Tony Barrow and Senior Sergeant Graham Gubb, acted on this mandate, building a security fence for a local orphanage in their district of Liquica.

Nuns operate the St Teresita Del Nino Jesus orphanage without any adult males to maintain the day-to-day security for them and the 35 children, who range in age from 3 to 15.

Many of the children come from families where their parents are either in jail or have died. Incursions into the compound by local people had caused the nuns to become concerned for the children’s safety.

Because of this, Tony and Graham – with the welcome support of New Zealand Ambassador Ruth Nuttal and New Zealand Aid – set about building a 150m security fence around the orphanage.

“Sister Filomena da Cruz could not have been more happy with the final result,” says Tony.

The fence was officially opened by Ms Nuttal on 3 January in a ceremony where the children welcomed her with song and dance, and wore traditional costume.