Timor-Leste, or East Timor, was established as an independent country in 2002 following a long period of military occupation by Indonesia. As a result of its complex history, Timor-Leste faces many challenges.
The challenge
Timor-Leste, or East Timor, was established as an independent country in 2002 following a long period of military occupation by Indonesia. As a result of its complex history, Timor-Leste faces many challenges.
There are high rates of poverty and illiteracy among its 1.3 million population, and limited employment opportunities for young people. The country also has no sophisticated sewage or water treatment facilities.
Some Timorese people can afford to buy their water from elsewhere. Most drink the local water which makes them vulnerable to gastrointestinal infections and water borne diseases. Many rural areas don’t have access to clean water, including hospitals and schools. Lack of access to clean water means the people of Timor-Leste face many health and wellbeing problems.
What Water Source did
Water Source through the Wise Foundation along with Engineers Without Borders won the Google DFAT Innovation Exchange Google Grant competition in 2017. The prize encouraged non-profits registered in Australia to explore new ways of delivering social impact internationally, using technology. InnovationXchange is particularly focused on how technology can make lives better in the Asia-Pacific region.
Water Source worked with Engineers without Borders, AusAid and the national training centre in Timor (CNEFP) to provide Timor-Leste with access to water filtration and disinfection systems to set up a social enterprise for youth.
https://ixc.dfat.gov.au/projects/google-impact-challenge/
https://www.ewb.org.au/youth-enterprise-opportunities-for-timorese-with-disabilities/
The results
In 2018, Water Source delivered 10 Version One Brolga units, which have mechanical prefiltration followed by ultrafiltration and ozone for disinfection to East Timor and installed these in various locations including a rural school, a maternity hospital and a local training centre. Local electricians, plumbing and carpentry students were trained as unit operators to use and maintain the units while being paid a wage by Water Source and the Wise Foundation. The units were able to be remotely monitored online.
Three of the units are used for a social enterprise called Bee Lafaek which means Crocodile Water in the local language, reflecting the indigenous creation story. Bee Lafaek uses the Water Source units to produce 18 litre bottles of clean drinking water in reusable containers which are sold to Timorese people and businesses, generating income.
Bee Lafaek team members are Timorese youth who received training to help develop the business and produce the water. This business is growing and more Timorese people are being employed to keep up with demand. Many are women and Bee Lafaek has provided them with a way to run their own business and provide clean drinking water to local people. Water Source and the Wise Foundation support the operators, entrepreneurs and team so they can provide water to Timorese people.
