DILI, 05 february 2026 (TATOLI) – When Domingas first joined the Seasonal Worker Program in 2018, she had a clear goal: to secure a better future for her family.
Over the years, she has travelled to Australia nine times, gaining valuable experience in horticulture while also supporting her family’s future.
As Domingas worked in Australia, her husband remained in Aileu, caring for their three children and managing the construction business they established together. In both business and family life, their partnership has been built on trust and shared responsibility.
“While I was away, my husband stayed with our children. He managed construction projects, and I provided the capital, investing in our business. We support each other for our family,” said Mana Domingas.
Together, they have achieved remarkable milestones: building a three-story house, purchasing a construction truck, and registering their construction company to actively participate in local development projects in Aileu municipality.
Domingas’ journey has not been without challenges. After her initial deployment, she returned home briefly before heading back to Australia in 2019 — just before the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
“I returned home in 2019, but after four months, I went back to Australia again — just before COVID-19 hit. We ended up staying for two years and six months,” she recalled.
During this time, she picked oranges in Adelaide, worked in strawberry farm in Queensland, and endured the emotional toll of separation from her family. Yet through it all, one thing remained constant: her faith in her family and their shared vision for a better future.
Domingas’ journey shows how the PALM scheme is more than just work abroad — it is a pathway for Timorese families to build businesses, strengthen communities, and turn resilience into lasting development at home.
TATOLI
Source: SEFOPE
