REPRESENTATIVES FROM BMETS – BMTT OFFICIALLY HAND OVER 4 LAPTOPS TO ALOLA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM BENEFICIARIES

(Alola Media-Dili) Yesterday, (April 23, 2026), at the temporary office of the Alola Foundation – CBD 10 Timor Plaza, a group of students participating in the Alola Scholarship program held a meeting with donor representatives from Blue Mountains Timor-Leste Sisters (BMETS) and Blue Mountains Together for Timor (BMTT). The meeting was attended by 10 target students from the municipalities of Bobonaro, Aileu, Atauro, and the majority from Hatubuilico – Ainaro, who this year received scholarships to continue their studies at several universities such as UNTL, UNPAZ, IOB, and others.

Accompanied by the Alola Foundation Education Program Manager, Ms. Nuni Nobre, the representative for BMETS and BMTT, Ms. Jude Finch, expressed great joy in meeting the scholarship recipients directly to learn about their educational progress, the challenges they face, and other needs. On the same occasion, the BMETS and BMTT representative also officially handed over 4 laptops to the program’s target students.

As an Australian organization that has long supported Timor-Leste, particularly in the area of women’s empowerment, BMETS and BMTT have raised over one million dollars to develop the lives of Timorese women in various fields such as advocacy, health, economy, sports, and education. BMETS and BMTT have also built schools and provided scholarships to hundreds of female students wishing to continue their education at the secondary and university levels.

“We started this Scholarship Program with only 5 or 10 students, but year by year, the program has developed and grown larger. Now, this year, there are 39 students in our program. It is quite a lot,” said Jude Finch, representative of BMETS and BMTT.

With a vision and dream to help Timorese women develop their lives, BMETS and BMTT collaborate with the Alola Foundation through the scholarship program. The laptop handover that took place yesterday is an important part of this program to support the learning activities of the beneficiaries.

“Good morning, Elvira. My name is Jude, and I am a representative from the Blue Mountains. You are receiving this laptop today as part of the scholarship program from the Blue Mountains. Congratulations. Good luck with your studies,” said Ms. Jude Finch before handing over a laptop to Elvira, one of the beneficiaries.

Scholarship recipient Elvira Teresinha da Silva, a student at UNPAZ who has been supported by BMETS, expressed her happiness at receiving a new laptop directly from Ms. Jude Finch. She promised to use the facility provided effectively until she completes her studies.

“Thank you to Mana Jude and the Alola Foundation for empowering me and providing this for my studies until graduation,” explained the first-semester UNPAZ student.

Expressions of gratitude were also shared by Ceremius Araujo, a student who had the opportunity to continue his education at the Faculty of Commerce and Tourism at UNTL.

“I just want to say thank you very much to Blue Mountains. I feel proud of myself because I can do things I previously thought were impossible with the help of Blue Mountains. I have nothing to give in return, but I simply say thank you for this opportunity I recently received,” he noted.

Unlike the study process in secondary school, university-level learning requires more resources, including technological equipment to facilitate internet access and complete homework (TPC). In this situation, laptops become a vital tool to help students navigate their educational journey. This was emphasized by the Project Officer for the Alola Scholarship program, Mr. Triponio Verdial.

“The 4 laptops handed over by Mana Jude serve as support for the learning process of the Alola scholarship students who have been supported by BMETS and BMTT – Australia,” said Triponio.

According to data, from 2023 to 2026, BMETS and BMTT-Australia have provided a total of 31 laptops to target students.

The Alola Foundation Scholarship Program supports vulnerable students from Primary School to University levels across Timor-Leste. This year, the scholarship project continues to manage and provide support for students to access education at the Primary, Secondary, University, and Technical Vocational levels. The scholarship project itself receives annual support from 17 donors, including agencies, companies, committees, and individual donors. For 2025, the project facilitated scholarships for a total of 257 students.

ABOUT BMETS AND BMTT

BMETS is an Australian organization that has supported Timor-Leste since 2004. With an initiative to help develop Timor-Leste, specifically in women’s sectors, BMETS gathers support from over 60 community groups in the Blue Mountains – Sydney area and other parts of Australia to provide various forms of aid, including financial support to address issues related to the lives of women in Timor-Leste. Over 15 years, BMETS has raised more than one million dollars for development in advocacy, health, economy, sports, and education.

Blue Mountains Together for Timor (BMT4T) is a charitable organization established in 2015 in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales – Australia. it is comprised of representatives from Blue Mountains East Timor Sisters, Blue Mountains City Council Hatobuilico Friendship, and the Timor Lorosa’e Support Group. For over 7 years, BMT4T has strengthened communication between the local community in Hatobuilico – Ainaro and the community in the Blue Mountains – Australia. Throughout these years, BMT4T has dedicated its work to developing resources, particularly in education and women’s leadership.

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