DILI (TOP) – May 09, 2022 – U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Tom Daley joined representatives from the Timor-Leste Ministry of Education and Timor-Leste Defense Forces (F-FDTL) to cut the ribbon and officially open a new two-room pre-school in Maubara constructed by the U.S. Navy Seabees and Marines.
The new facility will benefit over 60 students and is valued at over $220,000. Twenty-one U.S. Navy Seabees and Marines built the school over the last three months, with support from six F-FDTL Engineers.
The project is the 104th project constructed or rehabilitated by the Seabees since 2009.
“There is no better indication of our commitment to our enduring friendship with Timor-Leste than the opening of this school,” said U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Tom Daley. “The U.S. Navy Seabees put their hearts and souls into this project, working long hours and using top standards for safety and excellence to help Timor-Leste build a better future for its next generation of leaders. I would also like to thank our Timorese counterparts for their collaboration and important contributions to this effort.”
The U.S. Navy Seabees have constructed or rehabilitated over 100 clinics and schools throughout Timor-Leste to help Timor-Leste build a better future for its people. In the spirit of mutual friendship, the Seabees have completed projects valued at more than $50 million over the last 13 years.
They have had a continuous presence in Timor-Leste since 2009, rotating groups of American military engineers every six months.
Soon, the Seabees will start construction of a three-room primary school in Baucau valued at approximately $290,000.
