Emanuel School returns to East Timor

From 30 July to 9 August, 13 students and 2 teachers from Emanuel School visited East Timor. We stayed in the capital Dili for a few days and then reconnected with a village in the far west of Timor Leste called Gildapil. Emanuel first went there with 10 students, our Principal, Ms Hastings and Outreach Co-ordinator David Whitcombe, in 2015. On his return trip, Mr Whitcombe was thrilled to fulfil a promise Emanuel made to the Gildapil School. “We told them we would be back and that we would help teach English to their students”.

Our 2017 group prepared to teach English as a second language with the help of English teacher, Ms Philp and then we (with Ms Philp and Mr Whitcombe) stood in front of Timorese classrooms full of smiling faces for 3 morning sessions of teaching. The local kids loved the variety of lessons, songs and games presented by our student teachers.

On this Destination Dreaming trip we were lucky to attend a significant local ceremony on a mountain top and visit the local blacksmith and basket weavers. The highlight though was that we got to meet young East Timorese people and make real and true connections with them. After school we played and swam with our new friends until sunset. While being confronted by the reality of a brutal recent history, we saw that the small developing country held many lessons for teenagers from Australia. A selection of student reflections reveal the impact the trip had on them.

“Before leaving on the East Timor school trip, all I knew about the small island nation was that it was colonised by the Portuguese, occupied by the Indonesians, and became independent in 2002. I knew nothing about the people, culture or anything else really. Reflecting on the vast knowledge I gained during the trip is unfathomable. Teaching the children English in the community school, seeing traditional craft such as basket weaving or knife making, witnessing a cultural ceremony that only happens every 30 years on top of a mountain are just some of the things we did in that magnificent country. This trip also impacted upon my awareness of what I buy, what I use and what I waste. Coming from such a privileged environment with so many opportunities to succeed, it is difficult for one to imagine the disadvantage that the majority of people who live in East Timor are in, and seeing so many children with so much untapped potential during our time in Gildapil really opened up my eyes to this issue. Overall, the Emanuel School East Timor trip is an incredible and once in a lifetime experience which any student should be interested in going.”

Daniel Van Sluys Erlich – Year 10

“East Timor was the most amazing experience ever. I have never gone on a more incredible trip. Not only do I want to go back but I want to spend more time there. The trip taught me to be more grateful about everything – it taught me that I am lucky for what I have. The trip made me think about the way I live compared to other people around the world. It made me think about the aid. It made me think about the privileges we have, it made me think about education and how I should not take it for granted. 

Hannah Adler – Year 10

“East Timor was honestly the best 10 days of my life. I have learnt how to respect my family, friends and people around me. The people in East Timor are so thankful for the very small things they have. The friendliest people I have ever met lived in the little village of Gildapil. They were so welcoming towards us as we entered their community.”

Erin Forman – Year 9

“East Timor was an amazing experience, and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to go. I became more aware of respect and how to act around different cultures, and I discovered my love of travelling to amazing places. I loved being so welcomed by the people of Gildapil, receiving our own tais which were made by the village and seeing a traditional dance as soon as we arrived. Teaching the kids and playing with them in class was one of the highlights of the trip for me. The connections I made with some of the kids were incredible and I hope to keep in contact with as many of them as I can. I think going to East Timor is something that all Emanuel students should consider because it really changes your view on the world.”

Jemma Salamon – Year 9

“There’s really only one word I can use to describe this trip: “life-changing”. This is possibly one of the most amazing things I have done or will ever do in my entire life. I was really able to find myself on this trip and connect with people, whom I’d never thought I’d be able to connect with. I am able to say that I prefer living in the society of Gildapil because of the contentment and optimism it carries compared to Sydney life where everyone is worrying about insignificant things that often revolve around technology or wanting more or ‘better’ things. East Timor is so beautiful – the people are so welcoming and the landscape is amazing! I would really recommend this trip to anyone and everyone because there’ll never be an experience like this anywhere else. It is the most insightful, educational trip anyone could ever do – the things you learn on this trip, you could never learn in a classroom.”

Miriam Itzkowitz – Year 9

“All the friends we have made and people we have met over there will never be forgotten and all 13 of us are finding it really hard to adjust back into our normal lives again because we really felt it was right being over there. I can say on behalf of all of us, we truly miss East Timor. It is a country filled with the most amazing spirit, history, kindness, welcomes and especially people, and I can’t wait to the day I return to East Timor!”

Simone Rappaport – Year 9

“The trip to Timor Leste was one of the most incredible, life-altering experiences I have ever had. Spending 10 days in a developing country definitely altered my perspective of not only life in a developing country, but also the culture that I live in. The best part of the trip for me, was spending 6 days up in Gildapil, a very remote village in the mountains. The people welcomed us with open arms and even allowed us to watch a religious ceremony, that only occurs around once every 30 years, up on top of a mountain. We spent 3 mornings teaching at Gildapil School which was nerve-wracking at first. But the kids turned out be be really lovely and enthusiastic and the experience was really rewarding. One of the best parts of our stay in Gildapil was the hours we spent playing with the kids on the soccer field just below where we were staying. We played soccer and football and duck duck goose, and took photos and laughed with them. The language barrier wasn’t restricting and we made lots of friends which made us very sad to leave them behind. Overall, the East Timor trip was a lot of fun and an amazing learning experience. I would highly recommend it for future years!”

Samara Trenaman – Year 9

“When we arrived in Gildapil, the whole community had organised a welcoming ceremony, which was the most amazing way to be welcomed. In the 6 days we were there, we formed the most amazing friendships, despite the language barrier. Learning their culture was an extremely eye-opening experience, seeing how they all work together to get by with the little that they have. We were welcomed with open arms, they shared everything with us, and showed us there’s more to life than just the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The kids thought that we had come to teach them, but actually we were the ones who learnt so much from them. By the time we had to go, we all exchanged hugs and waved goodbye. It was extremely hard to leave their happy faces, but it felt good knowing that the money we had raised was now going to help them build 2 new crucial pieces of infrastructure – a bridge which would enable the children to cross a river and therefore get to school in the wet season, and a water pump to help the old women keep their agriculture going. East Timor was one and will always be one of the best experiences of my life, and I encourage everyone to decide to go on this amazing trip.”

Mia Gold – Year 9 

“East Timor was a trip I wouldn’t trade in for the world. It taught me about the important things in the world and what matters. It opened my eyes and helped me appreciate what I have, and the fortunate situation I’m in. This trip has made me think about my future and what I can do to help countries like East Timor. For now, all I can really do is convince other people to go on the trip and tell people how amazing it was. I can also, of course, talk about how safe it is, unlike what most people believe. Contrary to East Timor’s horrific past, everyone is so warm and kind. Specifically, the children in Gildapil, the village we visited, were so generous and happy. Even though English was their 3rd language and we spoke hardly any Tetum, I made so many friendships, that I will cherish forever.”

Talia Blackman – Year 9