UNITED KINGDOM, 27 December 2025 (TATOLI) – The East Timorese Association Peterborough (ETAP), a registered charity, celebrated Christmas by distributing gifts to 102 Timorese children in Peterborough, United Kingdom, on Monday, December 22, at the Unity Hall Community Center.
ETAP Coordinator, Celso Oliveira, said the celebration was a meaningful moment for the Timorese community, especially for children living in Peterborough.
“Christmas is a special time for all Timorese. Even though we live far from our homeland, moments like this show that we can continue to preserve our culture in daily life. We gather not only for gifts but above all for faith, love, peace, friendship, and unity,” he told, according to a press release to TATOLI today.
Oliveira expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the event.
“I want to extend my deepest thanks to all who helped make this celebration possible, especially the volunteers who worked hard to prepare food, decorations, and purchase gifts for the children,” he said.
He also acknowledged the ETAP executive committee, the Waterloo Foundation for supporting the gifts, local authorities for their ongoing cooperation, and the wider Timorese community for strengthening cultural ties and friendship.
Meanwhile, Flaviano, a representative of the Timor-Leste Embassy in London, emphasized the importance of unity and tradition.
“Moments like this strengthen Timorese unity, friendship, and cultural heritage. Christmas brings peace and love to all Timorese. On behalf of the Embassy of Timor-Leste, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with success and good health,” he said.
ETAP Youth Officer, Remizia Carvalho, noted that the children returned home with joy.
“As organizers, we are happy to see this. Thank you to parents for their feedback and to the children who made videos to express appreciation. Everyone deserves happiness. For those unable to attend because their parents were working, ETAP volunteers delivered gifts directly to their homes,” she explained.
The event was attended by officials from the Timor-Leste Embassy in London, Peterborough City Council leader Councillor Shabina Asad Qayyum, representatives of Cambridgeshire Constabulary, and community leaders.
This year marked the first time ETAP distributed gifts to 102 Timorese children registered on its list.
Founded in 2021 and registered with the UK Charity Commission, ETAP’s mission is to support Timorese residents in Peterborough and beyond. The association operates a Support Center open Monday to Friday, providing free assistance to Timorese citizens facing difficulties.
ETAP also organizes sports and cultural activities to preserve Timorese traditions and strengthen national unity. Its Youth Club runs programs for Timorese young people.
Since Timor-Leste’s independence, many Timorese men and women have sought work and opportunities in the United Kingdom. Today, nearly one thousand Timorese live and work in Peterborough. Parents are employed in factories and companies, while their children attend primary schools, colleges, and universities.
TATOLI
