Presentation by PDG Peter Kaye from the 2012 Youth Exchange Officers Preconvention Meeting, 4-5 May in Bangkok, Thailand.

1. One way Exchanges
The Timor-Leste (East Timor)
Experience
PDG Peter Kaye
D9550 Australia

2. Class of 2012
Solange Pinto Ribiero Pires
Maria Jose Sanches

3. Why one-way?
D9550 is certified to support Outbound students
only, as the government of Timor-Leste is yet to
develop child protection laws.
Reciprocal exchanges therefore will be prohibited
until such time Certification requirements can be
met.

4. Timor-Leste (East Timor)

5. Champions for independence
2002
Coat of Arms
Timor-Leste
Xanana Gusmao Jose Ramos-Horta

6. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao with Rebounds 2008

7. Keeping the peace
Since independence in 2002, the UN has maintained a peace
keeping force in East Timor recently lead by Australia.
Australian soldiers on patrol
Australian Major General
Peter Cosgrove - right

8. Rotary District 9550
Zone 8
___________

9. Natalino de Jesus Soares
Class of 2010

10. Timor Leste - Basic Statistics
 Area 15,410 sq klm (5,950 sq miles)
 Government Democratic republic
 Population 1.1 Million (50% under 30)
 Languages Tetum and Portuguese (official languages)
Indonesian, English
 Religion Catholic – 96%
 Literacy 41%
 Income 42% of population $1 per day or less
 Currency US Dollar

11. Rotary presence
 One Rotary club RC of Dili
 Membership Average 20
 Programs Humanitarian
Health
Water
Rotaract 65 (members)
YEP (2 outbound annually)

12. Elisabeth Monez
Class of 06/07
Pelagia Soares
Class of 07/08

13. YEP History Timor-Leste
Rodolfo Testa Peter Kaye
 Non reciprocal agreement negotiated between D4610
Brazil and D9550 Australia in 2004, with first placement
in 2005.
 Two students selected each year for long term program
since 2006
 Hosting Brazil Districts 4610, 4650, 4430 and 4590
 Students continue to travel to Australia for Orientation
and training.

14. First student from
Timor-Leste 2005
Ligia Da Costa Santos

15. Why Brazil?
• Brazil and East Timor share a common background
being colonised by the Portuguese in XVI century.
• Brazil was one of the first countries to recognise East
Timor’s independence in 2002
• Brazil and East Timor share Portuguese as an official
language.
• Rotary Brazil has adopted Timorese students, providing
an opportunity of learning for the benefit of their
young country.

16. Participants to date
2004-05 Da Costa SANTOS Ligia
2005-06 MENDONCA Sandra
2006-07 MESQUITA Gisela
2006-07 MONEZ Elizabeth
2007-08 AMARAL Fernando
2007-08 SOARES Pelagia
2008-09 SOARES MENEZES Alberto
2008-09 SOARES Ivo Jaime Menezes
2009-10 SOARES Natalino de Jesus
2009-10 GOMES de JESUS Herval Duarte
2011-12 PIRES Solange
2011-12 SANCHES Maria

17. Ligia and RIP Glenn Estess 2005

18. The Agreement
D9550 obligations:
 All travel and visa costs to and from Australia and to
and from Brazil
 Insurance
 Blazer
 Emergency Fund
D4610 obligations
 Accommodation/hosting costs
 School expenses
 Pocket Money
 Tour

19. Elisabeth Monez
2006

20. Funding
 D9550 provides 100% sponsorship for two
students annually, funded by Rotary clubs
who otherwise do not sponsor or host
students. Total Cost $15,000
 D4610 meets all expenses for the students
while in Brazil. (approx. $5,000-$6,000 each)

21. Application process
 Selection is by way of an application to the RC
of Dili. With preliminary interviews carried out
by a club panel.
 Successful applicants given a full Rotary
application for completion, then interviewed by
District for final selection.
 Applications forwarded to Brazil for acceptance

22. Nat at home in Brazil

23. Sandra Mendonca in traditional dress
with host parents 2006

24. Challenges
 Poor communication within East Timor
 Slow turn around time of paperwork
 Multiple visas required
 Nearest embassy in Jakarta Indonesia if NZ stop over is
required
 Command of English for training and travel
 Customs and Immigration inflexible at some airports
 Funding

25. Herval Duarte Gomes de Jesus
Class of 2010
Sao Paulo

26. The benefits
• The program offers an opportunity to young people,
who because of financial constraints might
otherwise never experience life in another country.
• Enhance the use of Portuguese, which although an
official language is not widely spoken in Timor-
Leste.
• The experience has enhanced employment
opportunities for some participants who have shown
excellent character development.
• The awareness of the plight of young people in
Timor-Leste is greater because of the program.

27. Post Exchange achievements
Secretary to the TL Minister of Foreign Affairs
Sandra Mendonca
2006
Law scholarship University in the Philippines
Gisela Mesquita
2007
Studying law Deacon University Australia
Elizabeth Moniz
2007

28. Post Exchange achievements
Scholarship to study at UWC College Norway
Alberto Soares Menezes
2009
University studying International Relations
Natalino de Jesus Soares
2010
University student studying Law
Herval Duarte Gomes de Jesus
2010

29. Comments - Brazil Perspective
• Thorough selection process by D9550
imperative clearly indicating school subjects of
interest.
• Reasonable knowledge of Portuguese language
• Host Counsellor selection critical assuming the
role of coach in addition to normal role
• Better results may be achieved with students
over the age of 18 years

30. YEP- an observation
From time to time there are comments that YE
is a program for the children of affluent
Rotarians.
The Timor-Leste experience demonstrates that
the principles of Rotary are at work, providing
an equal opportunity to the youth of this young
country.

31. Question
Can the costs of this arrangement be justified?
Of all the successful traditional long term
exchanges managed by D9550 Australia, none
have had the profound impact on individual
students as this one-way exchange program.
The value of this opportunity should not be
measured in monetary terms, rather it should be
measured in terms of Rotary ideals.

32. One way exchanges
Delivering Hope