Alola Foundation"Strong Women Strong Nation"
Alola Foundation
The HALIKU team provided direct support to women for referrals to HNGV, support for biopsy, and provide wig, mastectomy bra, arm sleeve, as well as support for transport and purchase prescribed medicine when the medicine is out of stock. Thus from 2015 till 2019, HALIKU had referred 125 patients to HNGV including supported 18 patients for transport, 13 patients for biopsy and 6 patients provided with mastectomy bra and breast prosthesis including purchase prescribed medicines.
HALIKU uses various methods to campaign about the importance of self-examination as an effort to detect cancer early, starting from mini workshops, leaflet distribution, conferences, radio – tv talk shows, exhibitions, community discussions and many others. This is done to raise awareness in all levels of society starting from students, housewives, government officials, police and armed forces, young activists, including religious leaders both at local and national levels.
Training for health workers: In September 2019, Alola’s HALIKU organised four days of training for 50 (F:37 and M:13) health workers (midwives, Nurses and general practitioner) from HNGV, Community Health Centres and private health clinics in Dili which took place at HNGV training room. This activity was divided into three phases – Wound Management, Clinical Breast Examination and Being Breast Aware. This activity was facilitated by six trainers from Australia and Malaysia representing McGrath Foundation Australia and Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia with financing from ABC Global Alliance.
Training for Breast Cancer survivors and HALIKU Volunteers: Subsequent to the health worker’s training at HNGV, the team of Breast Cancer Welfare Asociation Malaysia continue to hold a two days training on “Psychosocial Support to Breast Cancer Patients” for breast cancer survivors and HALIKU volunteers at Fundasaun Alola training room. Total 23 (all women) participants attended the training and the training was focused on increasing participants knowledge on breast cancer and preventions including how to offering a psychosocial support to breast cancer patients through counseling at home and at health facility.
Training for health workers: In September 2019, Alola’s HALIKU organised four days of training for 50 (F:37 and M:13) health workers (midwives, Nurses and general practitioner) from HNGV, Community Health Centres and private health clinics in Dili which took place at HNGV training room. This activity was divided into three phases – Wound Management, Clinical Breast Examination and Being Breast Aware. This activity was facilitated by six trainers from Australia and Malaysia representing McGrath Foundation Australia and Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia with financing from ABC Global Alliance.
Training for Breast Cancer survivors and HALIKU Volunteers: Subsequent to the health worker’s training at HNGV, the team of Breast Cancer Welfare Asociation Malaysia continue to hold a two days training on “Psychosocial Support to Breast Cancer Patients” for breast cancer survivors and HALIKU volunteers at Fundasaun Alola training room. Total 23 (all women) participants attended the training and the training was focused on increasing participants knowledge on breast cancer and preventions including how to offering a psychosocial support to breast cancer patients through counseling at home and at health facility.
World Cancer Day is an international day set on February 4 to raise awareness about cancer and encourage its prevention, detection and treatment. World Cancer Day is led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to support the objectives of the World Cancer Declaration, written in 2008.
The main objective of World Cancer Day is to significantly reduce diseases and deaths caused by cancer and it is an opportunity to bring the international community together to end the injustice of avoidable cancer suffering. The day is celebrated by the United Nations.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) is a worldwide annual health campaign taking place in October that highlight the importance of breast awareness, educate people about the importance of early screening, test and research. This campaign organized by major breast cancer charities and involving thousands of organisations starts on October 1 and ends on October 31 every year.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is as much about raising funds for breast cancer research and support, as it is about raising awareness. The supporters will be donning their pink ribbons as a show of support for ongoing research for a cure.
HALIKU fundraising: Mr. Xanana Gusmao’s 73rd birthday was celebrated in Dili in June 20th 2019 at El Legendario and was also a fundraising event for HALIKU. Alola’s MCH team, with support from Mr. Xanana Gusmao, organized an auction and invited companies and the private sector to participate. The auction was led directly by His Excellency Mr. Xanana raised funds of USD 128.338.30 to support HALIKU activities and to continue its mission in raising awareness and support vulnerable patients of women’s cancer in the country.
HALIKU or “Hau Hili Atu Kura” which means “I choose to be healed”, has done great activities with the objective to raise awareness about women’s cancer by informing the community about risk factors, signs and symptoms. Socialization focused on sensitizing women and youths not to be embarrassed or afraid to come to a health facility for treatment.
After founder HALIKU, Ms. Kirsty Sword Gusmao decided to integrate HALIKU into the Alola’s Maternal and Child Health program, HALIKU which means“I choose to be healed” activities are increasingly widespread, and reaching remote areas. As part of the community awareness on women’s cancer, the HALIKU program is also integrated with other programs under the Alola Foundation. Every opportunity is always used to share information through discussions, distribution of brochures, exhibitions, seminars and radio programs.
To get prompt and appropriate treatment, people who are indicated to have cancer must go to the national hospital in the Municipality of Dili. The hospital is quite far away for those who live in the municipalities of Los Palos, Viqueque, Covalima, Bobonaro and Oecusse. Not to mention the problems of transportation to the city center and accommodation during treatment. These are all basic problems faced by women who need help for fast action for their illnesses. Many of them because of the lack of information about cancer, surrendered to their condition and tried to treat it with traditional medicinal ingredients.
With this reality, HALIKU took the initiative to facilitate those who need assistance by providing means of transportation, providing accommodation assistance, facilitating tests to ensure the level of illness suffered, including providing financial assistance for poor patients. The goals of this initiative are to reduce patient suffering, improve treatment adherence, and improve health outcomes.
HALIKU wants to ensure that cancer patient care and support services are coordinated, comprehensive, and effective.
Based on the Alola Annual Report mentioned about HALIKU activities.
The HALIKU team provided direct support to women for referrals to HNGV, support for biopsy, and provide wig, mastectomy bra, arm sleeve, as well as support for transport and purchase prescribed medicine when the medicine is out of stock. Thus from 2015 till 2019, HALIKU had referred 125 patients to HNGV including supported 18 patients for transport, 13 patients for biopsy and 6 patients provided with mastectomy bra and breast prosthesis including purchase prescribed medicines.
“"Women in Timor-Leste have a death risk 8 times greater than women in Australia after being diagnosed with cancer. This is not only due to lack of choice for care and access to health facilities in Timor-Leste, but also lack of education about the importance of early detection and intervention fast medical. I am proud of the work that HALIKU runs for a cancer awareness program for women through the Alola Foundation, "”
HALIKU’s objective is to increase women’s understanding on prevention, early detection and treatment of breast cancer. HALIKU educates people on symptoms of cancer and contributing factors, promotes importance of regular breast self-examinations and attending health facilities as soon as symptoms of cancer are identified. HALIKU also targets media for raising awareness campaigns through community radio and newsletters, and distribution of brochures and pamphlets.
