Feature image: Balibo CLC leaders – Rofina, Sidonia & Ella
Palms Australia participants Michele and Gabby Rankin were repatriated from Timor Leste in 2020 due to COVID-19. Whilst they have continued to provide mentoring and support for the Balibo Community Learning Centre (CLC), in particular the Women’s Centre, the staff have maintained momentum and utilised the many skills that they have been developing over the last few years to bring this project to fruition.
The Balibo Women’s Centre refurbishment is almost finished!
The Balibo Womens’ Group have prepared the video below in which they highlight the recent refurbishment of the Centre. The Women’s Centre will provide a first point of contact for women seeking refuge, as well as sex/health management, social enterprise programs, English language learning, Day for Girls [DfG] coordination and outreach for rural women. Despite the many obstacles of 2020 and 2021 [travel, lockdown measures, natural disasters and the women’s own devastating personal tragedies] the Balibo Women’s Group have been able to complete the Centre refurbishment and establish programs. The work that has been achieved highlights the strength of the leadership team [Rofina, Ella and Sidonia] and just how much the Centre is wanted and needed. Balibo CLC staff [Mario, Marino and San] have also provided unlimited support and encouragement.
As Michele says: “….I hope this video brings some hope and happiness through these very uncertain times”.