Timor-Leste is one of the poorest countries in the world, with a per capita GDP in the order of USD2,600.  Your small contribution can make a world of difference to many people.

Over 40% of the population is unemployed and 42% live below the poverty line, living a subsistence existence.  In 2007, a bad harvest led to deaths in several parts of Timor-Leste. In November 2007, eleven sub-districts still needed food supplied by international aid.  Excluding income from oil, Timor-Leste’s exports only amounted to about USD10million in 2005. Less than 60% of the population can read and write and the average school life expectancy is 11 years.  Infant mortality rates are exceedingly high and life expectancy is low compared to developed countries.  While investment is taking place in health and education, there is vast scope to do more.

Many of the people you will meet in urban centres and small villages in Timor-Leste and on your voyages through its beautiful waters will be living in extreme poverty.  By visiting the country and spending money in the economy, yachties are already helping, but if you wish to do more, there are plenty of ways you can do so.  Here are some suggestions:

Always take with you items to give to families and communities you will meet.

• Schools are always in need of the most basic educational supplies eg pens, paper and books;
• Health clinics are always short of supplies of the most basic medications eg Panadol or basic instruments;
• Orphanages are always in need of clothing, food and funding;
• Farming communities lack many basic tools;
• Fishermen always welcome any basic fishing gear or equipment.

The small amount of cost will be overwhelmingly returned to you in the generosity and friendliness of the people, and knowing that your support can make a genuine difference to people's lives.

In 2011, 2012 and 2013, each entrant in the Darwin Dili Yacht Rally donated $100 of their entry fee to support a new Marine Education Scholarship being established by the Rally to promote skills development and capacity building to support Timor-Leste’s marine tourism industry.  The funds raised have been added to by private donations and are reaching a proportion that will enable the Scholarship to move into its next phase of sending young Timorese to undergo specialised training that will support their employment in the maritime tourism industry in Timor-Leste.
 
The 2014 Rally entry fee also includes a AUD$100 donation to the Marine Education Scholarship that will enable the training of additional young Timorese in the marine tourism industry.

This is a wonderful example of how a small amount of funds can be leveraged to make a significant contribution to the development of skills and workforce training which will in turn help support the development of Timor-Leste’s marine tourism industry.

Sail Timor-Leste also encourages support of the historic humanitarian sailing vessel VEGA, an 85 foot traditional cargo vessel built in 1893/94.  VEGA has now embarked on a career carrying cargos of donated medical and educational supplies on the South East monsoon to isolated island communities in Timor-Leste and Indonesia. During the North East Monsoon VEGA visits Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand gathering donated supplies and attracting attention to the needs of the communities she assists.

The 2004 tsunami in Sumatra demonstrated that although no longer competitive for cargo VEGA can still be useful helping isolated island communities. In the aftermath of that disaster she proved she could still go where other boats could not. Loaded with over 25 tons of food and medical supplies she easily managed vicious seas that had already severely damaged newer, much larger boats. Just as in the days of the legendary spice island trade VEGA's movements are dictated by the winds of the monsoons. Sailing along routes unchanged for thousands of years VEGA makes her annual circuit loading her cargo of hope and assistance during one monsoon then delivering that cargo of farm, medical and educational assistance when the monsoon changes.

Sail VEGA will be visiting Dili at the same time as the 2014 Darwin Dili Yacht Rally and asks for the support of Rally yachts in providing donated goods for distribution to communities in Timor-Leste, particularly educational and medical supplies.  Please visit their website at http://www.sailvega.com/ or contact them on email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.     Lists of goods they need for communities in Timor-Leste can be found at  http://sailvega.wordpress.com/here-are-our-famous-lists-of-items-needed-by-the-communities-we-support/

You can make your contributions more worthwhile by adding to Sail VEGA’s humanitarian efforts.  Sail VEGA is well experienced in supporting communities and knows best what people need and how to supply them.

Accommodation available at the Bakhita Centre, in the mountainous district of Ermera, Timor-Leste

The Bakhita Centre is a local Community Centre owned and operated by the local Timorese people. It grew out of a belief held by a group of young Timorese people who wanted to restore dignity to their old people after the Indonesians left Timor-Leste in 1999.

Today the Bakhita Centre is a thriving Community Centre thanks to the generosity and good will of many people from Australia and a number of other countries as well as the hard work and dedication of the local Timorese.

Come and experience the richness this Community Centre has to offer. It is located in the village of Eraulo in the Ermera District, approximately 2.5 hours’ drive into the mountains south west of Dili. While the roads need a lot of attention the scenery is breathtaking as you climb to around 1300m.

• Magnificent scenery
• Peaceful serenity of a mountain village of Eraulo.
• The day to day operation of this thriving community centre
• Bustling mountain village of Lete-Fofo with it open air market and church.
• Organic coffee
• Traditional architecture

Base Rate - $US160.00 per person for 2 nights covers:

Transfers to and from Dili
Accommodation
Meals – Dinner; Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner; Breakfast

On Day 2 of your visit to the Bahkita Centre, you can extend your tour options to include:

a) A Walking Guide for an additional US$20 per person.  The total cost of the tour with this added option is US$180 per person for 2 nights, or
b) A Driving Guide Rate (driver and transport for one day) for an additional US$40 per person.  The total cost of the tour with this added option is US$200 per person for 2 nights