District Support Workers Program

NEW - Latest Report - click photo below to see June 2008 mid year Report

Another new initiative is our District Support Worker (DSW) Program.

Our staff are very enthusiastic about the DSW program. Mana Cecilia (WRC Coordinator) came rushing into the Women's Resource Centre (WRC) after visiting Liquica and Ermera full of excitement. Community meetings, held in the districts to inform women about the DSW programs, were a great success. Not only did many women attend and participate but the local community radio station offered a desk and use of a computer for the DSWs! It means ready access to the most effective communication tool in Timor-Leste!

Thirteen new DSWs now represent Alola at the local level, providing support and facilitation for women's groups across their district. After a three day orientation program, the workers meet every month for ongoing training, mutual support and ideas development. Some of the DSWs are members of Alola's Mother Support Groups and some are active young women with a track record of community organising and volunteering for community radio and local events.

Alola Woman of the Year 2008

Member of the District Support Worker Program and Leader of the Maubara Craft Cooperative, Maria da Costa Cabral, was selected as Alola's Woman of the Year.

Click here to see a short film about Maria Cabral.

UPDATE Three Days Training in Six Districts. Follow link to read more!

Program Focus: The program seeks to strengthen women’s groups and young people to provide leadership and development in their communities. The DSWs coordinate the program, working with existing groups linked to Alola programs and networks or may establish new groups as required. DSWs provide leadership, community facilitation, manage grants and support the development of programs that respond to locally identified priorities amongst women and young people. The program aims to increase participation of women and young people in decision making, politics, reconciliation, education, health and economic programs and to contribute to rural development in Timor-Leste.

Cecilia is interviewed by Community Radio after the DSW meeting with local women in Viqueque.

DSWs will develop their skills in facilitation, management and community leadership so that: Weaving, Breastfeeding, student groups and school communities can develop skills in prioritising, planning, media, health promotion and nominated technical areas Groups can successfully plan and coordinate community action Build networks of support between community interest groups Learn about basic financial management

New District Support Workers, Graciana, Rubiana and Joanamake plans for their first community meetings.

Alola has provided each DSW with a kit of information, flipcharts, workshop materials, stationary, CD/Tape Players, mobile phones and community resources. The District Support workers will also have access to films and resources and equipment to display. The program works closely with the Education and Maternal and Child Health Programs at Alola to promote child rights, creative education, and maternal and child health across all our programs. The various elements of the program are funded by NORAD/FOKUS and supported through our friends from NET in Norway; the Pratt Foundation and Freehills in Australia and the Body Shop. In 2008 six more DSWs will be appointed in the remaining six Districts outside of Dili.