BALIBO (TOP) - A family from Aldeia Caco, Suco Sanerin, Balibó Administrative Post, Bobonaro Municipality, is facing a tragic situation after the mother and father died in succession within a period of one month, leaving five orphaned children, including a baby who just turned four months old.
The news was shared by the eldest daughter, Rosalina da Purificação, through a letter read in a one-minute video addressed to President Ramos-Horta. She asked for humanitarian support and help to ensure the children's access to education in the future.
"We, five orphaned children, present our good afternoon greetings to Grandpa President. We want to ask for the President's help and generosity to support us. Our mother passed away three weeks ago and our father died recently. We ask the President to take care of our schooling, food, and clothing," said Rosalina.
Upon receiving the information, the President immediately directed the team from the Civil Society and Social Affairs Service Unit (SSSAS) of the Presidency of the Republic to make an urgent visit to the family.
The advisor to the Presidency of the Republic, Quintiliano Moniz, stated that they will cooperate with municipal authorities and the Ministry of Education to ensure the children's access to education and social support.
"The Presidency commits to continuing to monitor, especially the four-month-old baby, and to providing assistance regarding the health conditions of this family," stated Quintiliano.
According to the timeline presented by the family and community neighbors, the mother, Aliança Maia, was already ill after giving birth to her youngest daughter via surgery at the hospital.
The situation worsened, and when the baby was only four months old, the family faced the reality of the mother's death, leaving four children and a very young baby. Two weeks later, her husband, Anselmo da Purificação, also passed away due to emotional and psychological pressure.
Currently, the five children are living with their maternal grandmother and their eldest aunt, who have taken on the responsibility of caring for them.
The Village-Chief of Sanerin, Francisco R. Tavares, thanked President Ramos-Horta for his rapid response to the family's situation, immediately sending a team from the Office of the President to provide direct support.
During the visit, the team from the Presidency of the Republic also delivered basic supplies, such as rice, cooking oil, clothing, and some money from the President's own pocket, to help alleviate the family's difficulties during this emergency.
