Blue Mountains East Timor Sisters

Current Projects

Scholarships for young women

We provide 23 scholarships for women to finish their school or university education, particularly focusing on young women with leadership potential.

Hato Builico Women's Co-operative

We assist a women’s co-operative in Hato Builico through the provision of four communal sewing machines and cloth for making clothes to use and sell. Plans are underway to support training in establishing and running small local businesses (sewing, clothing production, tourism ).

The work of two East Timorese women

Beba Sequeira is a board member of REDE Feto (an umbrella organisation for women's groups in East Timor) and is the Executive Director of the Asia Pacific Support Collective for Timor-Leste. Laura Abrantes is a Gender Consultant, founding member of Fokupers and co-wrote 'Written in Blood' which documents women's participation and struggle in the Independence process. Both Beba and Laura are key contacts for the BMETS. They undertake work on BMETS’ behalf as well as carrying out their own community development work and advocacy..

Veteran's Book

We help sponsor the compilation of a book which documents the role of 16 women in the East Timor Clandestine Independence Movement from 1975 to 1999.

Veterans Centre

We have funded the completion of a women’s centre in Liquica for veterans and widows of the Clandestine Movement.

Mana Marta Cooperative

We support a Tais (Weaving) Co-operative which provides income and maintains the traditional skills and culture of the women. This co-operative supports about 20 families. BMETS uses a range of opportunities to sell tais in Australia.

Alola Foundation

We contribute to the New Mothers and Baby Packs initiative of the Alola Foundation. The packs encourage women to use hospitals to give birth. Over $10,000 has been raised for Alola through the sale of vouchers that sponsor the purchase of baby packs and through separate fund raising events.

Safe Room at Dili Hospital for women victims of violence

$4,000 has been provided to fit out and buy ancillary equipment (eg purchase of a motor bike) for the operation of a safe room for victims of trauma and domestic and sexual violence in the Dili Hospital compound through the PRADET service.

Occasional support to visiting East Timorese women

When possible, BMETS provides a one-off financial and accommodation assistance to women visiting Australia for conference or educational purposes.