Timor Leste
Re-Engaging The Young Farmers of Timor Leste
By Brian McFarlane, Director of Fundraising
January 2009
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| A farmer scout team – including (front to back) Eliza, Alvano, Mario, Leonora, Agusta, Jacinta, Manuel De Jesus, Manuel Soares, and Pedro – prepare terraces for farming. |
“Before you plant a tree, first you must plant a tree in their hearts.” Xisto Martins, the leader of USC Canada’s programs in Timor Leste, explained his philosophy about working with youth to me as he watched the young adults suit-up for a soccer game in the late afternoon sun.
Xisto was sharing a simple truth that he and our colleagues in Timor Leste discovered during the course of their work. He says Timor Leste has seen so much hardship and so many years of conflict that young people across the country became alienated and cynical about the future. “We must work with the younger generation if we hope to bring new life to this land,” says Xisto. Investing in youth has been critical for progress in communities across the tiny half-island nation. Now, their alienation is being redirected as they find opportunities to play an essential role in rebuilding their communities.
Young people are channelling their energies into farming and local cultural activities. They are staying on their land and continuing to farm. And not only are they engaged, they are encouraging their parents to be involved as well.
Xisto pointed to a carefully terraced hill. He explained to me that the young farmers took the initiative to transform that once-barren hillside. Now the land is covered in promising gardens. “In a few years that small sapling you see will be an avocado tree, and that one there will be a fruit tree. These projects are giving hope to the young people in the villages.” Word has spread and young people from neighbouring villages are asking USC Timor Leste to start projects with them.
But it can’t be work all the time. A few years ago, USC Timor Leste invested in a few soccer jerseys and balls, as a reward for the young people’s hard work. Now one of the highlights of the year for the young village farmers from Kalohan is a soccer tournament involving the six nearby villages. “It’s very important. It gives the young people something to look forward to and it’s helping plant the seeds of community.”
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“A few years ago, we also donated used musical instruments to thank the young farmers for their hard work. And now, every day after work, all they do is play music. It’s crazy!” Xisto shakes his head and laughs loudly as he turns to look me in the eye. “Thank God there are no electric lights in these villages, or they would play all night!”
Watch young farmers play a song of welcome for visitors from USC Canada in the short video to the right.
