Here is how the journey begins

Started with no plan what so ever, some university students approached me and asking me if they can do a project in Timor. I ask them what are the projects be and what are the objectives. After they have said all what they intend to do , I told them that the project is can be done.

The group was sponsored by Singapore Government up 70 % and the rest must be paid by the students. The trip is called Seedling Fishion and was created by one of the student ( Lin Yi Hao ) assisted by Sandy Goh ( which she can actually make the trip her self). Their age are from 18 to 24. Some have finished their National service while some will be doing it after the trip. Some of them are young Rotarians ( Roteracts) that is why the Rotary Club E cLub of 3310 ( www.rotaryeclub3310.org) is also the one who is endorsing this trip.

Only few physical meetings and more detail sent via the Internet the preparation seemed to be better and better ( even though in the actual fact we were having so many things are not completed yet and a lot more adjustment must be made accordingly).
The group was so " raw " as they do not know each other as they are from different universities and never met before BUT with the spirit of willingness to work together we were moving forward better and better by days.

We booked the trip 6 weeks before our departure for Jakarta to Timor ( so that the fare is about 30 % cheaper as if we book it closer to the date it self).
Some students were canceling the trip because of the safety concern , afraid if they are getting sick over there , some family matters and some other reasons.

Departing on March 11th from Changi airport , we were bringing total of 37 pieces of luggage. From Jakarta we were using Batavia Airlines to Timor with a transit at Surabaya ( about 25 minutes transit ). The flight were so smooth and fantastic weather from Singapore all the way to Timor.

Were arriving at 19:23 local time ( the same as Singapore time , UTC plus 8 ).
The Rotary Club of Kupang president and some other members came to welcome and to pick us up. Peggy ( my wife ) and some orphanage members were there also .

It was a different place for the students as if we compare it with their houses in Singapore.
The place was not ready 4 days before we arrived. I asked the workers to work on 24 hours bases , day and night so that the place is ready to have them to stay. No air condition and just simply a room , a mattress not even a bed for each room. Two spare rooms for storing our raw materials and kitchen utensils and to put our food which ready to be eaten. There is no dinning room but we were having our meals together in front of some of the rooms.

The day was ended by a short debrief about the whole day event

The first morning ( March 12th) was a visit to the fish market where we can buy fish which just arriving from the boats. We bought some fresh anchovies , mini crabs and some fish for our lunch. We were preparing and cooking it together. The fried fresh anchovies were really great. We were also seeing how they make salted anchovies and other salted fish.
For almost 16 days Peggy's days were started at around 05:00 Am and to go to the wet market , buying materials for us to cook every day and finished off at around midnight or some time passed midnight. At 16:00 PM we were invited to join the "HASH" group of Kupang , that is to participate on bush walking.

The walk was started at the hill side with a breath taking view of Timor sea ( between Timor and Australia ) with the great blue sky and perfect weather . It was attended by 87 people ) mostly doctors , lawyers and business man at Kupang city .
The WALK was started down hill for 2 KM ( for the short walk) and 3 KM ( for the longer path) and followed by an up hill for another 2 or 3 KM to the place where we started the walk.

It was a fun walk and a healthy get away from the daily matters. All of us were participating and we did a good job indeed, After the walk the HASH group were making a big circle , singing and having some games for all. In the evening we were invited for a welcoming party by Rotary club of Kupang and You Ai group ( fellowship and love group which consist of aunties and uncles and their family members). It was a great night indeed.
The group was introducing the Singaporean friendship dance and to learn how to dance Indonesian "poco poco" dance.

The meals were great and the people were so warm.
We do not feel being a stranger at all.
Some got lucky by having him self( her self ) an admire. For Adrian he found him self heaps of fans because he was just so funny and fun person to watch when he dances.
The group was performing the song " home" and some other Chinese song for the audience.

Back at the hostel, the day was ended by our regular debrief

The second day ( the 13th) was a sad day as one of us must return to Singapore ( Kellyn ) as her God Mother passed away the day when we arrived in Timor. The next day was imposible to go back as the planes were full. The group managed to disscuss the materials that thay had been preparing from Singapore about English, Goal setting and chinnese matters. It is still hard day for all of them as they are still trying to know each other just yet. On this day the group went to the orphanage and helping out with the routine matters , such as feeding the litle ones ( even though from the 3 year old onwards they can eat on their own). The main thing is the tender loving care that has been lacking each time the older orphans went to school. With 15 Singaporean students around , not only they are getting attention and help but they can actually playing with them and it was such a joyful moment indeed.

I am sure that the conditions were able to open up many of us about how fortunate we are in singapore. So many unpaved floor , windowless and doorless homes , no water except may be few bottles or few buckets that they were able to bring back from the "far away " well or other water source place. We selected few houses that were so bad and when we told the owner that we will be coming on the next day and making floors for their rooms , the gussing tears can't be stopped from the owner's eyes.

At around 4 PM , we went to the beach and act as that we were the owner of that beach ( no one elese were there). We put up 2 tents and collected woods for the born fire while others preparing the materials to make our dinner. The sunset was so beautiful and we stayed until close to midnight. We were cooking together BBQ fresh fish ( red snapper, garoupa, small yellow fin, corral fish etc) , corn , baked potatoes and baked pumkin.
All of us were so much in love with the corn souce that we have, aweet, sour, a little spicy , a litle salty and just yummmmmmy.

Debrief session before bed time

On the 14th.
The group came to the orphanage ( on foot, as it is about 400 meters away) and helping the usual thing. Another fun day for the orphanage children. We went to planed farm that we have been planning to do it from Singapore.
The soil was impossible to have our work done as it was so muddy on the first 2 days ( the rain was still pouring previously). We managed to do some "mini" land clearing but the group has learnt that it was not easy to earn your living as a farmer. To do land clearing only is not an easy job , especially with the thorny trees , muddy soil , mannually and in the middle of no where.

Some performances by the group members were fun towatch during their trial to cut down a tree. One small tree was finally down after some 25 times chopping ( while actually we can do it in 2 chops). Some were busy with the thorn in their hands so that the work is actually stopped. Some were busy finding a safer way around the muddy soil so that they were doing much less than other. Some were realy born to be a worker as on every thing that we do , these person were always doing their best and really putting their efforts into it.
To many of them it was the first time to handle a big sword for the garden clearing, playing around with "cangkul" etc.

It is an eye opening for many of us. We were also having the chance to help out out farm neigbor for peeling corn that they were harvesting , it was fun and it was a friendly neigbor indeed. After we foundout that the key of the lock to this neigbor's farm was missing , we came in by climbing the fence. The corn peeling made us more aware that to make eatable matters ( food) is not easy and a very long process ( so that wasting food by throwing hopefuly can be reduced from now on).

Once again we enjoyed the beautiful sunset at that farm location.
After the darkness came , we head back towards the city side and straight to the BBQ fish and chicken restaurant ( as for me , after dropping every one , I must rush to te airport and to pick up our dear friend Terence Tay, SFO of SIA A345 pilot ).
Terence was waiting for his baggage when I arrived at the airport.
From there we drop the stuff and straight back to the restaurant to have our fantastic BBQ'd fish and chicken. The salad and the sambal will defenitely making us to eat more ( the fish were about 1 to 2 kg sizez each, Garoupa , red snapper etc). Best of all for 20 of us , we only spent about 160 SGD ( including our drinks of freshly squeezed orange , some soft drink and others).

Debrief before bed time

The big day of 15th ( floor making day for few houses). We proved our self to be a great group of workers. We had our preparation from the orphanage by making sure that we are bringing enough water to mix the cement, the bags of cement , the bags of cement and our readiness to work. We dig up some soil to make the floor surfaces more even, dig up sand for the upper part of the floor base.

We mixed our own cement and sand with water , carry them with buckets .
The group has proven that they can be a proffesional labourer and to be an efficient and helpful group of people. Task sharring and tolerence must be dealt together and in such manner so there won't be any conflict during the progress. The blazzing heat didnt stopped the group to do "their best".

This cementing was continued till two days later with such a happy ending , that is to know that their work has been accomplished and able to help the less fortunate with a real action. While doing the cementing on the second house we were having the chance to play with the village children. It was so fun and very healthy recreation to be in .
Some of my friends from the bussiness community in Kupang city came to witness the group upon doing their cementing and while they were playing with the children.
I wish that you were there with us , it was so fun. In fact this can be said the best day of all so far , solid team work and every one was putting and giving their best for the end result is ours and not an individual goal. Great...

on the 16th .
We were still doing the cementing
We were invited for a dialoug sesion by the Christian Church comunity of "Kota Baru " church on that evening.
We were arriving on time but the host was not ready untill some 40 minutes later.
The talked was about every thing except politics.
It was attended by some 50 people .
Some of the conversation were in english but most of the time I am still acting as the interpreter for both parties.
We were intertainted by a group of children's choir which we were so amazed by their ability to sing and to delivered such performance as a group . They were up to secondary age group children.
At the end of the gathering they students and the local cummunity were echanging addresses for future contacts and a friendship bond has been made.

on the 17th
In the morning 6 of us doing the final touch of the cementing while the rest were doing the land clearing at the orphanage.
We managed to so some clearing and another playful time with the orphanage children.
The the afternoon at 14:00 PM we had to leave for Sikumana village as we were invited by the Catholic community .
It was an unexpected crowd and unexpected reception.
They made a group of traditional dancers and musical performance group who did a wonderful hand made bamboo musical tunes.
The Timorese dances were so great and in full Timorese customes ( they came from some 20 KM in a truck , just for us to see) . A choir group were performing two wonderful songs.
The dialouge session were so great as most of the local were delivering their questions in almost perfect English ( not much of translation work for me ha ha ha ha ) .
The talks were dominated about education, life style, religion and one of the audience was even asking about love, dating and sex.
At the end of the gathering my self and two Singapoean students ( Vinz and Marina ) were asked to plant friendship trees each and a tradisional sent off words by the local timorese tribe in their language ( which mostly the local residence of Sikumana village also do not understand the meaning) .It was some thing exciting to see and hear.


On the 18th
This day was started late .
We were supposed to go to the mountain side for the week end , that is to relax and to enjoy the view ( plus great food of course). One of the car was not performing well and I must go to the garage to fix the problem, Lucky that I went as we found out that there are multiple problems were found.
The fuel filter was almost blocked by dirt , the air filter for the engine was almost clogged and the spar plug must be changed.
When things were almost done , one of the spark plug was broken and stayed inside .
It was almost a major work to get it out ( we have to open the hood and the engine head/ to top part ).
We must do some thing unusual and we must find the way to do it ( there is no standard tools for it).
We managed to get it out and to change to spark plug at 11:21 and we were leaving for the mountain at around noon ( 4 hours late).
It was a great trip and great view on the way up (to So E city), Not only the mountain and the valley but the winding roads were rather exciting too. We headed straight to "Bahagia" hotel and after check in we were going to our friend's house for a wonderful lunch .
We were consist of 7 cars and mostly they were from You Ai group friends and their families .
For every Timorese meals there will be "papaya flower" dish ( it can be mixed by shredded beef , tuna or it can be other veggies).
After the great lunch we were heading towards a place where the view is rather breath taking.
We were taking lots picture at the location and breathing such a fresh air , so nice and so good to breath the clean and cool air ( no pollution what so ever).
The plan to visit the "marble mountain" was cancelled because of the thick fog and the rain ( marble being exported from here)
The temperature was around 18 degrees .
As the darkness came we headed back to the hotel followed by another great dinner.
Great conversation among us and sharing views and experiences of the elderly members till almost midnight at the lobby while the students were playing cards and having great laugh in their rooms .

On the 19th.

It was the day that is "really interesting and not to forget for all of us " .

The morning was started with wonderful weather , light snack at the hotel ( pisang goreng with tea and coffee ) then followed by a proper breakfast at our friend's place .
On this day we were supposed to visit an isolated tribal place of " Boti Tribe" .
It is situated at a rather difficult and at the mountain area ( winding road and steep angle ups and downs).
It was surveyed 2 days before and said that it can be done .
So the 7 cars are making a convoy to the place , some 20 km of the road were ok but as we veered of the smaller road the soil and the surfaces were started to be not so friendly any more.

The first terrible up slope was more like an " off road " exercise and each car must wait down at the bottom to make sure that the car in front is not sliding back and hit the car behind. The damage was done because of no drainage what so ever , so that the rain was actually shifted the pavement and some even created a mud slide which eventually cut off road all together.
After passing few bad road surfaces we came to a really bad one ( Oe Ulam village) where there was not way that we can continue the journey .
We were in the stage of confusion and many of us didn't know what to do and to escape from the condition.

We tried to pave up the the road was impossible as we didn't have any tools while the water is continuously flowing and making the road conditions even worst.
A villager came with a "cangkul" or a hoe . I did some strokes and it was great . One of our Student wanted to have a go and I gave the cangkul to him. Only after to strokes the cangkul was broke ( ha ha ha wrong angle and a weak cangkul holder too).By bare hands just impossible even though our numbers were quite big .
A villager passing by with a big "parang" or sword , he helped us to dig up some soil to make the pavement for the road but it was just too little for such a big job ( and again the flow of water kept on making things worst).

After exercising the alternatives we decided doing the pushing and pulling the car one by one, up the slope and to forget the idea going to the isolated tribal place all together.
Things were became more impossible since all of the car were not 4 wheel drive ( except for my Land Cruiser) .
Strategy was set and we did what we have decided , that is to push ( those who were at the down side ) and to pull the car ( for those who were above the slope).
Even so at the end of the slope we must used our Land Cruiser to do the rescue for all 6 other cars.

When the final cars was successfully rescued we felt so relief and happy ( especially for me , because Terence Tay is supposed to leave the next morning to Singapore ).
If we were stuck there , some of us must walk and walk for quite a distance just to get the telephone signal and asking for help from the "off road " group ( which one of us , Godlief Rehyaar is the president of the off road club ) to rescue us.
Thanks to "Pak Life" ( Godlief) for being an off road driver so that the car can be rescued.
It can be 2 days at least for us to be bogged down at that location .
After finding a good spot at one of the top hill side , we parked our car and eating our pre packed lunch. It was a great scenery and the meals were so great to enjoyed .
The group quickly forgotten the drama which we just had moments ago as being amused by the scenery .
Some of us were interacting the locals and making some photos with them .

From this place we headed back to our friend's house at So E city for some wash up and clean up before heading back to Kupang city.
On the way back I made a stop for Terence to by "the giant"Avocado for him top take back home.
It is the season for Avocado at the moment in Timor.

At Kupang we were having soto ayam and some fried chicken for our simple dinner.
The day ended at around 00:00 .

On the 20th .
My day was started early . Woke up at 05:00 and to take Terence to the airport .
Lucky that the airport is only some 10 minutes away .
He was taking Batavia airlines to Jakarta and SIA to Singapore . By noon he is in Singapore already .

After arriving back from the airport , I must use a proper clothes and to accompanied Pak Guido ( with the students ) to their assigned schools.
One by one we brought our remaining 15 students to their assigned school ( these was including photo taking, introduction and short details about the intention of what we are doing ).
Most of the school are so happy to have them visiting and interacting with their students .
One by one we left our Singaporean students at particular school and by the time we came to the last school , it was already the time when we must pick them up again and it was almost the end of the school day ( no joke that we have to go to 15 different schools on that morning).

One of the student didn't get the chance to go to his assigned school ( Yi Hao ) and the notice was only one hour before his assigned slot. He was actually visiting the Kaniti village school and felt that the village school is more fulfilling job for him

One of our Singaporean student got sick ( Wei Xiang) and I brought him to see a doctor ( maybe from being too tired of flu)
He was ok on the next day.


On the 21st
It was started by 06:45 Am pick up and to delivered the students to their assigned school .
These was done easier and by 3 of us instead of the 2 of us on the earlier day.
We just dropped them at the school gate .
We pick them up and brought them home and having lunch together.
Later on this day the students were waiting for the Chinese Youth group leader for Kupang to come and to discuss with them about the Chinese community activities which was planned from the beginning .
They were discussing some cultural and cooking matters.
Some of the students paying a visit to a near by village School and turn out to be very fruitful visit which was followed by regular visits by 3 of the students.

Our afternoon was may be most enjoyable one and so so so so fun to watch.
We were having some 60 villagers came to the orphanage and doing the goal setting with the Singaporean students.
Things were well planned and well executed .
We gathered and play with them .
We did exercise the team work among the children about building the tallest tower, where my missing ten cents coin games , some spelling game , songs like OldMc Donald has a farm including describing the animal and the sound of the animal in English version.
We were preparing and giving away gifts to the children such as books for their school , pencils, eraser . Some food and drinks.
The atmosphere was fantastic and the spirit of the Singaporean students were so high up in the sky.
We did as what we have planned and even more to our expectation.
Fun fun and fun , happy , happy and very happppppyyyy.


On the 22nd.
The day was started with the interacting and teaching for the students with their assigned school as usual .
Many of them were so attached with their classes and the students .
They were making a good bond and having some fun at the same time.
Some of the teacher were bringing them home and some even bringing them for lunch regularly.
After lunch we were breathing a little then off to the orphanage again to teach the villagers some English and another encouragement moment with the villagers children.
The turn out was 98 children and it was another successful day for every one.
The children were well motivated and they were showing their eagerness to learn English and really hungry for some people to reach out for them and to bring up from their lagging situation on studies and other educational matters.
On this second day with the children some of our Singaporean students were loosing their voices and must not talk too much any more.
It was never been easy task to deal with the children , both on the teaching it self nor to make things in order .
We were inviting some seminary students to help us out with this English teaching as well. The seminary is about 200 meters away from the orphanage's location.

On the 23rd.
In the morning as usual , the teaching at the assigned school for al of the students.
They told me that the classes were getting more and more interesting .
The bond among them were getting stronger and more fun as the children were really opening up for the lessons.
Some ( the males) were even tried to be dated by the students ( ha ha ha ). Most of the schools were secondary and high school .

The evening was quite unique as it will be for the first time for the Chinese youth
I am not taking part with the gathering as it was the Chinese community ( the youth group) .
I was with Peggy at the orphanage and looking after the orphanage children and we got the chance in the afternoon to get some souvenirs for them ( the students) to take home ( not much but at least some thing to remember about the trip to Timor).

On the 24th
The morning was quite different as this will be the final day for the students to teach and interact at the various schools.
Emotionally they were eager to go home but the bond among them has been formed better and the friendship has been more meaningful.
It was true enough when we found out later on during the lunch time at the hostel.
Some got so many gifts from the schools and from the students.
Some got letters of appreciation and etc.
Some said that she/he is sad for leaving them and the place .
One lucky guy got 6 female students visiting him at the hostel ( ha ha ha ) .


March 25th
It was started with waking up in the morning and to leave the hostel at 07:15 Am and to to to the Governor Office.
We were received by N T T ( Nusa Tenggara Timur Province ) Mr Alexander Piet Tallo in his office.
We came in yellow T Shirt for all ( except me and my wife , a suit with tie for me and a proper dress for my wife ) .
We were so welcomed and each of us were given a cloth by the Governor as appreciation of our visit and what we have done during our 16 days in Timor ( Kupang area).
We were briefed about the province population, the area and what can be done in the future.
We were asked about the safety issue that many of the foreigner are so concerned about .
We told the Governor that there wasn't any safety issue at all during our stay and many of us were willingly to come back when the time comes.
Few of us were committed to come back with another group and to lead them.

From the Governor's office we went to Uel village ( some 40 KM away) to distribute clothes that we collected in Singapore ( direct distribution by the students to the residence of that village).
Before we left the place we saw one of the grand mother was dancing with her newly received pajamas . It was such a great thing to see .
Your gift was really appreciated and wore without delay ( even though a used clothing but it was a jewel for them).

Coming back from this village we were feeling sad already as we know that by tomorrow we will be out of this place and on the back to Singapore.

In the evening we were quite reluctant to go for the farewell party which was hosted by " You Ai " group and the Rotary friends. It was help at one of the huge ware house with just us and our really close friends.
The food was plenty and the atmosphere was so joyful .
Almost every one was singing and their favorite songs and some dance were performed.
Our students were able to sing some local and traditional song which every one were really appreciating and happy for being appreciated by the group.
The good bye were rather too long and even repeated as we do not want to really saying good bye just yet.
Only the tiredness that was factor which ended the evening.
The leader of the host ( Mr Mea ) was even sobbing as we were about to leave .
So much bond and friendship that was really making us close to each other.

Back at the hostel , the last de brief was rather filled with sadness as we are going to be separated again .
The uncomfortable feeling to one another which might be existing when we left Singapore were totally replaced by warm relationship and closeness .
My wife and I went to bed at 02:00 Am ( while many of the students were staying awake till the pick up time ).

So many things has been done but there a lot of things hasn't been done .
Not because we didn't want to do it but we were running out of time . Simply 16 days was not enough .

On March 26th
My wife and I , Pak Godlief , Pak Guido , Pak Theo were pick up the group at around 05:15Am.
The airport is only some 15 minutes away from our place.

The check in was quite some thing, people were not really queuing .
With some luggage for 16 of us , it was quite handful.

For Vinz, 6 female students from the schools that he was assigned were there to say good bye to him. They came since 05:00 AM. The final good bye to my wife was rather sad . Tears was shed and a lot of hugging ( I think that I didn't get enough of her my self before we really leave the place but we must leave the place).

A drama was happening right after our take off as the aircraft wheel was not being able to be retracted .
15 minutes in the air and we were returning back for landing .
After some 25 minutes on the ground we got air born again and this time all the way to Surabaya , a short transit of 25 minutes then to Jakarta .
From Jakarta the group was using Adam Air to Singapore ( for my self , I am using Singapore air lines ).
During the flight ( with Singapore airlines , I wasn't able to stay awake , didn't eat anything other than a glass of warm water that I requested as soon as I was on board).

Arriving at Singapore beside my self, there were many friends from Rotary Club, the parents, the relative and many friends were welcoming the group.
A final good bye must be made among the group ( sad but we were just so tired and just want to go home).

Great trip , great friendship but we were just too tired and just want to go home for now.


ZZZZZ ZZZZZZ ZZZZZZ