DILI, 9 june 2022 (TATOLI)- The South Korean Embassy in Timor-Leste and the Ministry of State Admiration (MoSA) will expand the Seamaul Undong program in the municipalities of Aileu and Atauru.
Charge D’ Affaires of the Korean Embassy, Yoo Jihan said the Seamaul Undong program was very important and beneficial for many Timorese.
This program focuses on three important factors, including a transformation mindset, environmental protection, and increasing people’s incomes.
This mindset transformation is at the core of miraculous economic growth, while environmental protection is central to resource management and conservation, and increasing community income by providing materials and finance for communities to implement their programs in their villages.
“This program was implemented in South Korea in 1970. 75% of farmers live in deplorable conditions. The Korean government implements this program in every village, by providing opportunities for all communities to develop a community-based agricultural sector,” said the Charge d’Affaires of the Korean Embassy, Yoo Jihan in his remarks at the CNE meeting room, Caicoli, this Thursday.
In addition, Mr. Jihan emphasized that there are three principles for the success of this program that can make a big difference in people’s lives, namely perseverance, effort, and mutual cooperation at the village community level.
South Korea was included in the list of the poorest country in the world in the 1970s, but with the creation of Seamaul Undong, Korean people’s lives changed and Korea has become a developed country.
Deputy Minister of MoSA, Lino Torrezão said the Seamaul Undong program was implemented in 2016. MoSA and Korea have provided information about this program to rural communities in 13 municipalities including RAEOA Oe-Cuesse.
In 2019 the TL and Korean governments initiated this program in Lautem municipality that focused on three villages consisting of Fuiluru village, Icatutu area, Boboro Tubarai village and Boro area, and Soru Chebasa village.
During the implementation of the 2016-2020 program, rural communities had the opportunity to access training focused on Character transformation in the agricultural system, environmental conservation, and village economic development.
“The program has produced great outputs. The community can raise livestock, raise animals including pigs, cows, and chickens, and preserve fish,” Said Torrezão.
Meanwhile, in 2022, the government is committed to expanding the Saemaul-undong program in Aileu, particularly in Pala seloi karaik and Atauru.
This program is implemented with funds from the South Korean Government worth 80,000 USD, while each village will receive 20,000 USD. For this year the budget allocation for this program is 110,000 USD, implemented in five municipalities in Aileu, Ataruro, Dili, Bobonaro, Baucau, Ermera, and Ainaro in the following period.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sa
Editor: Nelia B
