DILI, 17 march 2023 (TATOLI)—The President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta congratulated New Zealand for the celebration of its 60 years of volunteer work in the world and 21 years of serving in Timor Leste, especially in rural areas.
“With the New Zealand Volunteers celebration, I congratulate all the volunteers in Timor Leste. Some have left Timor – Lest, during Covid-19, but the Embassy of New Zealand already planned to bring them back, to help with the activities of the New Zealand Embassy in Timor – Leste to assist the community toward the programs of agriculture, tourism, education, and other sectors in the rural areas,” said President Ramos Horta in his speech at the New Zealand Embassy in Timor Leste, on Wednesday ( 15/03).
Horta informed that, so far New Zealand had supported Timor Leste, since 1999, by sending the International Peace Keeping Force to Timor – Leste and the International support Force in 2006, scholarships for Timorese students including vaccine support to combat Covid-19.
At the same place, New Zealand Ambassador to Timor Leste, Philip Hewitt, expressed his gratitude for the participation of the Head of State, José Ramos Horta, in the celebration of 60 years of Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) in the world and 21 years in Timor – Leste.
“VSA established a unique program for alumni scholarships for 10 Timorese students from New Zealand to work as volunteers with local organizations. They carry out the special counseling to the local people with experience and knowledge from New Zealand to contribute to the activities of local organizations, “said Hewitt.
Currently, five volunteers are working in Timor Leste in the fields of tourism, children’s education, environment, and agriculture.
According to the plan, several working teams of volunteers from New Zealand will come to Timor – Leste to support the activities of the Timorese community in rural areas of the National territory in Timor – Leste.
Journalist : Camilio de Sousa
Editor : Nelia B.
