On Thursday 24 November 2011, Dr Phillip Elias was at the Australian Embassy in Dili where His Excellency, Ambassador Miles Armitage, presented him with a cheque in support of the workcamp.
29 November 2011
28 November 2011
The toilet block begins to take shape
Hi there
I have not checked the weather in East Timor but every time I hear from Phil Elias or Miguel Paredes I am told that it is very hot. The good news is that when they come back, Sydney weather will be nothing to worry about!
The concrete slab was poured on Wednesday last week and it all went well. On Thursday they took the day off and went to Dili - quite an adventure, I've been told, as the 40km that separate them take close to 2 hours to traverse.
While in Dili, Dr Phil visited the Australian Embassy where there was a presentation ceremony. The workcamp received generous funding from the Embassy, through AusAID's Direct Aid Program (DAP). I have asked for a photo, watch this space.
On Friday they started working on the walls, I gather that at least one of them is already up.
At some point during the day they take a break from work, they all go to the beach, which is about 50m from where they are working. After work they are all too tired to do sport, only Oli O'Sullivan has enough energy to kick the footy with some of the orphans.
Three or four nights ago they had a sing-along with the orphans, not sure what they sang. And a couple of days ago they sang Christmas Carols.
Mike Greenwell, a Sydney builder who is accompanying the group (and the father of a Warrane Old Boy), has acquired the nickname of "Grandpa" and has said that he has not felt better in years.
That's all for now.
Arthur Escamilla
I have not checked the weather in East Timor but every time I hear from Phil Elias or Miguel Paredes I am told that it is very hot. The good news is that when they come back, Sydney weather will be nothing to worry about!
The concrete slab was poured on Wednesday last week and it all went well. On Thursday they took the day off and went to Dili - quite an adventure, I've been told, as the 40km that separate them take close to 2 hours to traverse.
While in Dili, Dr Phil visited the Australian Embassy where there was a presentation ceremony. The workcamp received generous funding from the Embassy, through AusAID's Direct Aid Program (DAP). I have asked for a photo, watch this space.
On Friday they started working on the walls, I gather that at least one of them is already up.
At some point during the day they take a break from work, they all go to the beach, which is about 50m from where they are working. After work they are all too tired to do sport, only Oli O'Sullivan has enough energy to kick the footy with some of the orphans.
Three or four nights ago they had a sing-along with the orphans, not sure what they sang. And a couple of days ago they sang Christmas Carols.
Mike Greenwell, a Sydney builder who is accompanying the group (and the father of a Warrane Old Boy), has acquired the nickname of "Grandpa" and has said that he has not felt better in years.
That's all for now.
Arthur Escamilla
23 November 2011
The homing pigeon has landed
Hi there
Mobile communication is amazing! Maubara does not have electricity but it does have mobile reception (pretty patchy, but good enough...). I have been in touch with Phil Elias and Miguel Paredes.
Yesterday they were working into the night preparing the site for the pouring of the concrete slab. This was meant to happen this morning, subject to the weather.
They have electricity a couple of hours each day, I still don't know if it is always at the same time or whether it fluctuates.
Chris Leung is due to arrive in East Timor on Friday morning (that is a story in itself but I leave it to him to recount it).
All up, things are going well. The conditions are tough but everyone is in good spirits and working hard.
Cheers
Arthur Escamilla
Mobile communication is amazing! Maubara does not have electricity but it does have mobile reception (pretty patchy, but good enough...). I have been in touch with Phil Elias and Miguel Paredes.
Yesterday they were working into the night preparing the site for the pouring of the concrete slab. This was meant to happen this morning, subject to the weather.
They have electricity a couple of hours each day, I still don't know if it is always at the same time or whether it fluctuates.
Chris Leung is due to arrive in East Timor on Friday morning (that is a story in itself but I leave it to him to recount it).
All up, things are going well. The conditions are tough but everyone is in good spirits and working hard.
Cheers
Arthur Escamilla
Takeoff!
Group check-in was a breeze thanks to friendly Qantas staff.
Yes, the tools are on the way to Darwin!
(this can't be said about Phil Elias' luggage, which did not make it from Darwin to Dili... poor Phil, yes, poor Phil...)
Pre-departure group photo, minus Fr Joe Pro (lost at the airport), Miguel Paredes (already enjoying East Timor) and the Saxby brothers (holidaying in Darwin).
Yes, the tools are on the way to Darwin!
(this can't be said about Phil Elias' luggage, which did not make it from Darwin to Dili... poor Phil, yes, poor Phil...)
Pre-departure group photo, minus Fr Joe Pro (lost at the airport), Miguel Paredes (already enjoying East Timor) and the Saxby brothers (holidaying in Darwin).
18 November 2011
The Final Countdown
We will be leaving for Timor this evening!
Participants:
Matthew Saxby
Ryan Saxby
Alex Chung
Mike Greenwell
Andrew Quinn
Phil Elias
Miguel Paredes
Truman Biro
Dylan Vitucci
Fr. Joe Pro
Joe Hoare
Chris Leung
Rohan Stocker
Aran Mahenthirarajah
Matthias Halliday
Roy Atherton
Adrian Morris
Joe Barcham
Oliver O'Sullivan
We will arrive at the airport at 6.15pm. We will get hold of a local sim card when we arrive and pass the details on to the Dean of the College, Arthur Escamilla, who will be the reference point for information about the group. His details are:
Mr. Arthur Escamilla
E: a.escamilla@warrane.unsw.edu.au
M: 0421 323 041
P: +612 9313 0300
Participants:
Matthew Saxby
Ryan Saxby
Alex Chung
Mike Greenwell
Andrew Quinn
Phil Elias
Miguel Paredes
Truman Biro
Dylan Vitucci
Fr. Joe Pro
Joe Hoare
Chris Leung
Rohan Stocker
Aran Mahenthirarajah
Matthias Halliday
Roy Atherton
Adrian Morris
Joe Barcham
Oliver O'Sullivan
We will arrive at the airport at 6.15pm. We will get hold of a local sim card when we arrive and pass the details on to the Dean of the College, Arthur Escamilla, who will be the reference point for information about the group. His details are:
Mr. Arthur Escamilla
E: a.escamilla@warrane.unsw.edu.au
M: 0421 323 041
P: +612 9313 0300
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