Easter is almost here — and with it, a moment to pause and reflect on what it means to give, to go, and to grow alongside others.
As Holy Week approaches, we are reminded of what sits at the heart of Palms International Volunteering: the belief that genuine encounter transforms both the one who goes and those who welcome them. This Easter, we’re also featuring women in recognition of International Women’s Day. As it happens, all of our current volunteers are women. In this Palms Post we focus on Timor-Leste, and invite you to be part of the story.
There’s plenty in this edition to explore, including inspiring updates from the field, our Easter Raffle (tickets closing very soon!), and an upcoming Encounter Tour that has just a couple of spots remaining.
We hope this edition finds you well, and we wish you a peaceful and meaningful Easter.
Director’s Reflection
Palms Principles in the Modern Crisis
By Soraya Kassim, Palms Executive Director
At present, most of us are watching on in horror at the compounding disasters of domestic repression and war. There are a variety of responses to what is unfolding – from disbelief and rage, to profound sadness, to fear and a sense of helplessness.
As I look at both international and domestic developments, I have a sense of gratitude for the continued work of organisations like Palms, which are steeped in our commitment to cultural humility and intercultural understanding as a purposeful path. Our experience is that these building blocks of shared vulnerability are not only the foundations of effective mentoring and learning, but also fundamentally, foundations for Peace itself.
And so I wonder, how can we apply the learnings gained through placement to address the challenges we face today?
- Solidarity is a distinguishing feature of a Palms placement. Unlike most, if not all, of the other volunteering opportunities which exist in the ecosystem, the Palms experience is one wherein volunteers are given the opportunity to live within the means and circumstances of their neighbours – not as privileged expats or some version of a FIFO worker. How different might the world be if Israelis spent a year living as Palestinians, or Russians lived as Ukranians, or IRG guards or Taliban officials lived confined to the home (as many of their female compatriots have been forced to do)? The perspective gained from such encounter is indelible and powerful.
- Another hallmark of a Palms placement is that we intentionally seek the margins, including geographically. Before my field visit to Kiribati last year, I looked up the number of placements we had had to that partner country – with its total population less than that of Toowoomba or Cairns, isolated from the rest of the world by its limited 2 flights per week, and yet existentially threatened by the actions of the rest of the world through the impact of climate change. To this small neighbour we have sent 75 volunteers over the years. There would be very few other organisations who have made the sort of impact we have there, because most other organisations will just have dismissed Kiribati as a plane trip too far. And yet it is this sort of determination to attend to the small voices, and those who are usually ignored, that is crucial now, as we face the upswell of indignation – in Australia and across the ‘Western World’ – of people who feel that they have been excluded from the halls of power and are now prey to right wing extremism as a result. How different would our political landscape be today, if more people in power had learnt the Palms lesson of listening to those who don’t traditionally hold the reins of power?
- A final quintessential element of the Palms experience is that of simplicity and an appreciation of the true value of community and personal relationships to build trust, and to afford the time and energy to work on values-driven priorities. Would the skies of the Middle East and Ukraine be so filled with the sound of bombs and drones, if the political leadership was less focused on domination as a means to private economic advantage, and more focused on building long term relationships of peace?
As we go through our daily lives of relative peace and prosperity, it is easy to forget the lessons of Palms placements. At times like the ones we now face, it is an opportunity to reflect on how crucial these lessons are.
Celebrating Women in our Community
International Women’s Day | 8 March 2026
This year’s International Women’s Day theme — Give to Gain — resonated deeply with the work Palms volunteers do every day. Across Timor-Leste, Samoa, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Kiribati, and Papua New Guinea, women are leading, teaching, healing, and building — and our volunteers are privileged to walk alongside them.
To mark the occasion, we asked Marion Brand — a nursing and midwifery educator currently serving in Kasait, Timor-Leste — to share some reflections on women, justice, and what empowerment looks like from where she stands.
Marion Brand (front left) with staff – Nursing and Midwifery Educator, Kasait, Timor-Leste
On what justice for women looks like
“Few women in positions of power — and men reluctant to take their advice. That’s what overlooks injustice. The more women in positions of influence who understand the real dangers women face, the more we can change.”
On what creates the biggest impact
“Long-term consistency. Patience. Understanding of culture, poverty, and the complexity of people’s lives. Not a quick fix — but sustained presence and genuine understanding.”
On a moment of feeling truly seen
“Being told by a visiting group from CSDO what an improvement there had been in the clinic since I arrived. That meant everything.”
On what empowerment looks like now
“Trust your instincts. Care and value yourself. If you are helping others, you have to look after yourself first — otherwise you can’t do it. Empower others safely, share the load, and support those around you.”
On the one change she’d spark by 2030
“Reduce the indoctrination of what women must or must not do. They don’t need a man, or to marry, or to have children — unless that’s what they choose. That freedom matters.”
Marion’s placement at Kasait is one of three current assignments Palms is supporting across Timor-Leste. Her work — like the work of all our volunteers — is sustained by people who believe that skilled, experienced Australians walking alongside communities is one of the most powerful forms of giving there is.
From the Field
Permaculture, Purpose, and the Power of Education
By Andie Maxwell, Permaculture Specialist, Hera, Timor-Leste with Reloka staff Secilia (pink top) and Pasquela (green top)
When Andie Maxwell first came across the Palms permaculture position in Timor-Leste, she wasn’t searching for agricultural work. She was searching for change.
She found it — and then some. Working with Reloka Foundation in Hera, Andie spends her days in a colour botanic garden: introducing mulching practices, re-seeding marigolds, managing a natural dyes program that is providing economic empowerment to women in two remote Timorese communities, and learning more from her local colleagues than she ever anticipated.
“I have learnt a lot about using flora for medicinal purposes,” she shares. “So much of the trees and plants serve their purpose, be it anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, cosmetic, and of course edible.”
Her most vivid memory? Attending the International PermaYouth Convergence in Fatuquero, Ermera in October 2025, where hundreds of young Timorese gathered to learn about permaculture and climate change. “I saw such joy on the faces of these young people,” she says. “To see so many brought together by this shared enthusiasm… really struck me.”
And her takeaway from the placement so far? “I’ve learnt that aid is more about education than it is about providing material ‘things.’”
Read Andie’s full story: Permaculture, Purpose, and the Power of Education
Support the work you just read about
Andie’s project with Reloka Foundation is currently only 30% funded — with $28,460 still needed to sustain the placement. If her story moved you, here’s a direct way to be part of it.
Every dollar goes toward keeping a skilled Australian volunteer in the field, walking alongside a community that asked for exactly this kind of support.
→ Donate to Andie’s project: Permaculture Specialist, Hera, Timor-Leste
With Heartfelt Thanks From Our Partner
End of In Country Placement for Richard & Ursula Murphy
Richard and Ursula Murphy were placed at Fundasaun Haburas Moris in Maliana, Timor-Leste to work on an Agro-Social Forestry Project and assist with developing the organisation’s financial processes. They have recently completed their in-country placement. While they are still offering some support from afar, FHM is looking for another volunteer to assist with grants writing. Our partner comments are below:
Maun Ricardo and Mana Ursula came to our project at a very difficult time, because we only just lost our funding from our international partners. But they did so much to help us while they were here.
Maun Ricardo coordinated the finishing of the Project Design Detail for the Agro-social Forestry Project of FHM with the funding partner. I learned from him how to do priority planning for a project, especially how to include the information from the community into that plan. And then we sent the plan to the funder. Also with the Strategic Planning, 3 members of the team learnt how to update the Strategic Plan linked to the Project Design Detail planning. So the Strategic Plan is now finished and we are using it for our current funding proposals and project development.
Mana Ursula was very proactive with finding new opportunities for funding. She was in many virtual meetings with donors. We had meetings before making applications and did training on how to apply for grants. I learnt how to register for funding newsletters, and about online applications. It is very difficult for Timor-Leste national organisations to do this because we are not members of international charities. We need help with this. Mana Ursula also mentored our Finance officer on how to check our journals, on how much we spend how much we keep. It was very useful for controlling internal spending. And also for making a new agreement for finance with our funding body so we will charge them interest for not paying on time.
Even though we were all stressed with the financial situation, we all knew that we were working together with heart – giving and loving. And we were all learning. I remember Maun Ricardo saying “The world – they don’t know about Timor Leste because they just see the people laughing and smiling all the time, but they don’t know that in the internal it is a very difficult life.”
Their presence made our community very grateful. Mana Ursula – she also helped with the finance of the Women’s Cooperative. As well as with FHM, they both also worked part time with the children with the English class. Now the parents and the youth still come to the centre and want to continue. We miss them. And we hope that Palms will be able to find someone to come to FHM to continue their work.
Easter Raffle – Tickets Closing Soon!
Raffle closes 5pm Wednesday 1 April 2026
Winner drawn Thursday 2 April 2026
Results announced Tuesday 7 April on palms.org.au and Facebook
This year’s Easter Raffle supports community-led development across Asia and the Pacific — and gives you the chance to experience it first-hand.
The prizes
First Prize: A Palms Encounter Tour of your choice (valued at $6,000)
A guided journey to Timor-Leste visiting local development initiatives, sharing meals with community members, and seeing first-hand the partnerships quietly transforming lives from the inside out. Valid for any scheduled tour prior to October 2027.
Second Prize: Premium concentrated home fragrance oils (valued at $99.50)
Hand made in Sydney. Collection includes Fresh Linen, Frangipani, Lemon Verbena, Vanilla Caramel and Juicy Raspberries. Donated by Oilstor.
Third Prize: Finger puppets, lizard magnets & woven wallet from Timor-Leste (valued at $70)
Handmade on Atauro Island and in the Ermera and Dili Districts of Timor-Leste.
Every ticket you purchase directly supports local development initiatives in South-East Asia and the Pacific. You’re not just entering a draw — you’re backing communities as the architects of their own change.
Tickets: $25 each | $120 Book of 5 | $230 Book of 10
If you have any issues utilising our website, please just give us a call during the week on 0422 472 567.
Encounter Tour – Timor-Leste, May 2026
14-27 May 2026 | $5,999 per person | Maximum 8 participants
If the raffle has you dreaming of Timor-Leste, here’s your chance to book before spots fill.
This year’s tour will supplement our opportunities for cultural immersion, development education and reflection on Timor Leste’s history, with opportunities for (medium paced) active adventure with treks and snorkelling options.
Includes: accommodation, meals, activities, experienced guide, visas, in-country transport.
These are small, intimate tours — groups are capped at eight people by design. You won’t be on a tourist trail. You’ll be welcomed into local guesthouses, guided by people with deep knowledge of the communities, and invited into conversations that don’t happen anywhere else.
Book or register your interest ASAP
Papua New Guinea Has Been My Home For 55 Years
Les Hartwig, returning Palms volunteer, Papua New Guinea
When Les Hartwig decided to volunteer with Palms again, the answer to why was simple: Papua New Guinea has been his home for 55 years, as an employee, employer, and volunteer.
“During this time, I have had to re-educate myself to live with, socially adjust to, and respect vast numbers of cultural practices and beliefs,” he writes. “Communication at every level, whether bureaucratic, business, or grassroots village, was and still is an ongoing learning challenge critical to achieving a happy outcome.”
What brings him back to Palms specifically? The people, and the support. “The staff of Palms have historically been friendly, courteous, and supportive across orientation, postings in Papua New Guinea, and Encounter touring. Palms, I know, will be there to support me wherever I am posted.”
For Les, volunteering is how a lifetime of experience finds its purpose. “Through volunteering, I hope to pass on some of what life has taught me to the benefit of the local PNG people.”
Les is currently awaiting visa finalisation to return to PNG for placement at Mengende.
Could You Be Our Next Volunteer?
Palms International Volunteering places qualified and experienced Australians on long term assignments in communities across Asia and the Pacific. Our volunteers share their skills — in health, education, agriculture, finance, trades, and more — with organisations that have asked for this kind of support.
No two assignments look alike. What they have in common is the belief that lasting change comes from within — and that the role of an outsider is to walk alongside, not to lead.
Two roles are highlighted below:
Explore current opportunities abroad
Support Our Work
Palms International Volunteering does not receive Australian Government funding. Our programs are sustained by people like you — donors, members, raffle ticket buyers, and Encounter Tour participants who believe communities deserve the chance to define their own future.
If this Easter feels like the right moment to give, we’d be grateful for your support.
We are also always open to facilitate the legacy that is possible through bequests. Please consider including Palms in your will. If you would like to discuss this, contact our Executive Director on 0413 013 690.
Palms Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People have to their lands and waters. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and specifically acknowledge the Gadigal and Wangal People of the Eora Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which the Palms office is located.