Founder:

Fr Adrian Ola Duli P: +670.751.0072

E: oladuli@yahoo.com.au

Director:

Mario Cardoso P: +670.728.0023

E: mariocardoso17@yahoo.com

Palms Australia Volunteers:

Lukas Rajnoch P: +670.724.9802

lukas_72@hotmail.com

Kristina Gunawan P: +670.724.9801

sanmar2000@hotmail.com

Contact Ahisaun to contribute to

the lives of marginalised young

women and men with a disability.

People with incredible potential.

Help Ahisaun provide them with the

supportive environment that will al-

low them to realise their full worth.

Ahisaun is currently requesting support for

the following projects:

Expanding Services:

Securing transportation facilities by

obtaining a car that enables Ahisaun to visit

and manage its community projects in the

regional districts.

Building a Disability Training Centre in

Gleno Ermera district.

Establishing an accommodation centre

specifically for women in Dili.

Training and Education:

Training staff in leadership, project man-

agement, and English language skills.

Scholarships for members to undertake

tertiary education.

Work experience/internship opportunities

domestically and internationally.

Computer Facilities:

New computer equipment, which will allow

Ahisaun to improve the quality of its

computer training courses and increase its

sustainable income.

Training in computer installation,

maintenance and website design.

Training Ahisaun members in effective

teaching methods and techniques.

Appreciate people’s creativity through a

range of activities like carving, sewing, vo-

cal training.

Today

Ahisaun accommodates approx 20 young

men and women in a new facility in Dili

and is also a place for other young people

with a disability to receive training.

Young people with a disability are pro-

vided with support to attend normal pub-

lic schools in Dili together with other

Timorese children.

Ahisaun provides training in

computing, handicrafts and music.

Young people with a disability at Ahisaun

now train other able bodied people in Dili

in the use of computer programs.

Members participate in community events

such as the Dili Marathon Fun Run, which

challenges peoples perceptions about

people with a disability.

Ahisaun will continue to support young

people with a disability to undertake training

and complete their schooling and university

education

Ahisaun continuously seeks to improve its

organization and services.

Strategic Priorities for Future:

1. Increasing the internal capacity and moti-

vation of Ahisaun’s staff and members

through developing their leadership and

management qualities.

2. Generating sustainable sources of income

to support the organization’s capacity to

finance its ongoing costs, remunerate its

staff and reduce dependency on donors.

3. Expanding services to districts and rural

communities to provide opportunities for

young people with a disability in areas of

greatest need.

Ahisaun’s Humble Beginnings

In 1996 Padre Adriano was involved in the na-

tional census, in the parish of Same, where he

noted the high number of households that in-

cluded people with a disability. At the time Padre

met Eduardo Da Silva who could not walk due to

childhood polio that had left him with wasted

lower limbs. In spite of his disability, Edu had a

big potential to have a better life using his skills.

This inspired Padre Adriano to support young

people with a disability in East Timor. Four years

after this encounter, with much assistance from

the local community, Ahisaun was born.

In 2000 Ahisaun commenced providing outreach

and housing to 8-10 young disabled men in a rent-

free house sponsored by a local business man.

Due to lack of space, Ahisaun was initially only

able to provide permanent housing for men. Ahi-

saun has grown much since these early beginnings.

Ahisaun seeks to:

Build the self confidence of young people with

a disability and encourage them to use their

talents and abilities.

Empower young people with a disability to

achieve their optimal potential both personally

and academically – through formal education.

Raise community awareness about disability in

its residential community and beyond.

Create a warm environment where people with

a disability feel welcome, respected and valued.