Our vision is of a sustainable network of schools and communities committed to ensuring that successive generations in East Timor and Australia learn about,
understand and interact with each other.

Mission

The Friendship School Program enriches the education experience for students and their communities in Australia and East Timor through engagement with each other’s cultural values, languages and circumstances and by facilitating wider
community involvement in school life.

Guiding Values

The Project is guided by fundamental values of mutual respect and community service and a practical commitment to:

· advancing the knowledge and welfare of students, schools and their communities
· defending the right of communities to shape the way in which they pursue educational aspirations
· advocating the equitable access to educational opportunity for all children and the means to realise their full potential
· promoting the benefits of involvement of learning about the life circumstances and cultures of others
· respecting and acknowledging the contribution made by each participant according to his or her capacity
· building sustainable international community-to-community relations based on informed understanding, empathy and reciprocal learning.

What Have We Achieved So Far ?

Prepared East Timor information kits for use in schools
Registered over 80 schools in Australia as members
Matched over 60 Australian schools with partner schools in East Timor,
Involved some 6700 students and 200 teachers In Australia and many more in Timor-Leste
Supported the exchange of albums and letters between schools and students
Produced and distributed publicity material, including FSP News bulletins
Held information days for Australian schools
Raised funds, purchased and distributed sports equipment purchased in East Timor to 124 schools

Our Goals For The Future

Inspired by early successes and positive feedback from participating schools - students, teachers and parents, both in East Timor and in Australia - we are planning to extend the Friendship School Project over the next two or three years.

By 2008, we intend to

· support up to ten times as many schools across Australia participating in the linkages program
· see some 300 Australian schools actively using the East Timorcurriculum package
· arrange around 40 Australian teacher to visit East Timor each year
· offer in-service teacher curriculum seminars/workshops in Australia and East Timor, respectively
· provide a number of scholarships for in-service teacher training in East Timor

These are great aspirations for a grassroots volunteer community organization. All of us who are currently supporting the Friendship School Project with our time, our work and our money know that this is worth our while because it makes a real difference to the students and communities who become involved.

A Project of the Alola Foundation

The Australia East Timor Friendship School Project was established by Kirsty Sword Gusmão, first lady of East Timor, as part of the Alola Foundation’s programs to support the women and children of East Timor. (www.alolafoundation.org)

The Project provides opportunities for children in both countries to exchange information about their culture and community and to participate in shared learning experiences. Schools that are linked in a partnership exchange albums of drawings, photos and letters produced by their students. Australian schools are encouraged to send small quantities of exercise books, pens, pencils, paper, a disposable camera
and similar materials so that the children in the East Timor partner school can respond in kind to information they receive from Australia. A calendar of events throughout the year helps Australian schools organise their participation and
promote the Friendship School Project in their community.

How Can You Help

We need your help.
You are invited and welcome to participation through
- joining the Friendship School Project membership program
- making a donation
- volunteering your time and skills.
Become a member

Membership is open to individuals and organizations. Organizational
members include schools, community groups, trade unions, local
government bodies and businesses. The membership applies to a calendar
year. Current subscription fees are detailed on the membership form. If you
have not received a form with this brochure, please contact Lee Norris at the
Project Office – contact details follow below.

There are three levels of membership:

Friendship School Supporter:
Stay informed about the Project through regular newsletters.
Available to individuals, groups and schools.


Friendship School Member:
Participate in a full range of activities. Receive the annual calendar
of events and resource kit.

Friendship School Partner:
Open to schools only. This requires a commitment for a minimum of
3 years to establish an active, meaningful relationship with your
partner school in East Timor.

Note: Many schools in Australia want to be linked to a school in East Timor.
This process takes time and resources. At present, there is a waiting list for
Friendship School partners, selection criteria apply.

Make a Donation

Cash donations to support the work of the Friendship School Project are tax
deductible if made under the auspices of Australian Volunteers International.
Our membership form includes further information.

We also welcome in-kind gifts of items that are requested by the project
team.
Please contact Lee Norris at our office (see below for details) in the first
instance to discuss your proposed contribution of goods or services.

Volunteer

If you have time to spare, skills to offer and a passion for the work of the
Friendship School Project, we would love to hear from you and see how we
can match your interests and abilities with the practical needs of Friendship
Schools and our Project

In Australia we now operate as a
company

Australia East Timor Friendship School Project Ltd

Established in 2003, the Australia East Timor Friendship School Project has been incorporated as a not-for-profit company. It is currently staffed by one part-time administrator. All other work for the Project is provided on a volunteer basis.

AETFSP Ltd Board

    Rae Perry (Chair)
    Meredith Peace
    Roger Peacock
    Warren Maloney (Company Secretary)

The Board is assisted by an Advisory Committee jointly chaired by the first lady of East Timor, Kirsty Sword Gusmão and Terry Bracks the wife of the Premier. The Committee brings together representatives of our supporters and the wider community with members of the Board.

ABN 99 111 159 712

For Australian schools to begin the process please contact the FSP office Australia
rachel.clark@aeuvic.asn.au

Phone +61 3 9418 4807

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