Oekusipost.com Dili – Timor-Leste has been on State of emergency for about a month now. No public transportation is offered. This has greatly impacted the lives of many families, especially the ones in the remote villages because they are no longer able to access markets to purchase foods.
The price of food supplies has unfortunately risen during this pandemic, making it even more difficult for families to afford it.
Deta is a student of West Virginia University, has helped 77 households in Oe-Kusi Ambeno by distributing 25kg of rice to 60 households in Buneu village and giving small cash to 17 families in Saben. She and her friend had planned to come to Timor-Leste to implement the results of their fundraising in June 2020 but were postponed in Summer 2021 because of COVID-19. But she has helped these small communities.
Deta was born in the village of Buneu and was adopted as a child by the Johnson Family of West Virginia, United States. Now she studies at West Virginia University majoring in accounting, leadership, hospitality and management. Although she has lived in the United States for decades, she knows exactly the real life of her family in Buneu and other villages in Ambeno.
She 's aware that the COVID-19 has a greater impact on the ordinary people and even more so when the government began implementing State emergency, small communities in Buneu and also in Saben had experienced many difficulties.
“I want to help them because they are a part of my community. Since the lockdown, I have heard that people are struggling to get food. And since the government is not doing anything to help, I figured I would,” She stated to Oe-Kusi Post via chat on Messenger.
“As for the people in Saben, I wanted to help because I know they are also struggling. But since the village of Saben is bigger than Buneu, I am only able to help 17 families right now. My goal is to help every family in that village also!,” she said.
“With $800, we were able to purchase 60 bags of rice for 60 households. In addition, I personally hosted a different project to provide 17 families small cash payments to assist with food in a different village (Saben) that has better access to markets”.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this food drive and allowing me to help my home community during this difficult time. The families that received this help were very grateful!
It’s important to recognize that we are all going through this pandemic together, as a whole world. So, remember to stay safe and help your community.
Communities from these two villages consider that Deta has helped them in this difficult time when the government is still too late to help small communities.
