Red Cross Project in Daír

My first field-trip leads me to the Red Cross (RC) project in Daír, which is implemented by Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL) together with the Austrian Red Cross (ARC). The project is funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation (Cooperacao Austríaca para o Desenvolvimento) and it contributes to improving the general living conditions of the poorest and most vulnerable in East Timor.

The 54 families in Daír (Population: 247) benefit through access to safe drinking water, sanitation facilities and education programmes.

The new community building ("Gemeindeamt"):

A community freshwater tank with a tap on the main square:

One of the family latrines with a water flush toilet (right) and shower (left):

A kitchen garden with young Papaya plants:

Traditional irrigation systems made of bamboo which are surprisingly flexible (the system reminds of "Lego"):
To protect food stocks from rats, all goods are stored in these traditional houses:

A circle of stones defines a mystic area, which is the place for traditional devotions. Here the community prays for rain or other needs. It's strictly forbidden to enter this area!
Having fun with the kids:

A father with a "timorese malai" (the baby suffers on a disease which has the effect of missing skin pigmentation, also known as "albino")
Community meeting:
A monkey:

Bamboo... (I hope you like the picture ;-))

Later we've been invited to fresh popcorn, peanuts, bananas and coffee - all of them local-grown products: