The BMETS was formed in May 2004 in response to a direct request for assistance for women in Timor-Leste from Timorese activist, Beba Sequeira.
We function as a dynamic group of volunteers that embraces the contribution of our members and supporters. We act swiftly to pursue project goals, actively encourage innovation and take opportunities to increase community understanding and commitment to East Timor.
We hold a bi-monthly organising meeting which about 20 members attend while many more help out at events and in various ways. Each of us chooses to do as little or as much as we are able or have the time to.
Over the years we have held fundraising events such as garage sales, book sales, film screenings, exhibitions of East Timorese craft and a biannual fundraising event Trek for Timor (2010-2022). We have established friendships and hosted visits from East Timorese people to the Blue Mountains.
We are based in the Blue Mountains, just west of Sydney, Australia. Some of our donors and supporters come from further afield. We also have well established links with other Australian and international groups working to assist the development of Timor-Leste.
In 2015 we created Blue Mountains Together for Timor Inc. (ABN 14 127 089 519) that specically encapsulated our work in Hatobuilico through the Blue Mountains City Council Blue Mountains Hatobuilico Friendship Committee. In 2023 we have brought the two groups together under the BMETS name so that we have one identity in Timor-Leste.