CHL consulted local people in the development of appropriate housing designs for Timor Leste.
In 2006 we applied these designs to build seven demonstration homes at our project site in Tibar, about 30 minutes drive from Dili. In doing so, CHL insisted on providing on-the-job training and work experience for local vocational graduates and tradesmen.
This experience proved to a range of key stakeholders that it could help improve housing standards for the people of Timor Leste on a much larger scale.
CHL’s success in this project was assisted by the generous encouragement and support of the Ministry of Labor and Community Reinsertion and its Vocational Training Centre in Tibar (CNEFP), the Ministry of Education, and its vocational training centre in Becora (Senai), the Ministry of Public Works, the International Labor Organization (ILO), the Alola Foundation, as well as the Tibar community.
CHL also assisted local organistions Servi Nasaun and ILO in renovating five police stations (Comoro, Bidau, UNDIL, Bebonuk and Hera) and also constructed a “Sport for Peace” facility at Kampo
CHL built a modular transportable shelter for use as short term housing for refugees. Other projects in the development phase include the construction of a childcare centre, two donor funded houses and six district employment offices.
CHL embarked upon two new projects. Bauccau saw the completion of its employment facility. CHL overcame numerous obstacles, including successfully negotiating the difficult terrain, as well as making use of as many local materials as possible.
The organistaion also supported local NGO’s by providing affordable, reliable, quality maintenance service. CHL has demonstrated its maintenance capability through servicing the building of a local disability service. Customer satisfaction is high based on quality, timeliness, and cost. A temporary school at the Metinaro Internally Displaced Persons Camp was been completed.
Through the Alola Foundation, CHL completed three modular units for an Orphanage in Bario Pite, the hardest hit suburb during the unrest of 2006.
Other projects completed include the temporary school at the Sparrow Force memorial in Dare has been completed as well as a community run café.
A design project for schools, sponsored by Conoco Philips, was completed.
The first stage of the Ahi Saun Disability project was completed and stage 2, the main building is well underway. Design work was completed for a ten unit development for Mega Tours at Taibesse. There are plans for this project to be the site to be used as on-the-job training for trade skills in 2009.
To learn more about our operations in Timor Leste, please visit our website, www.chl.org.au/Tetum/