Leeuwin Care recently acquired an ambulance to assist with the transport of emergency cases to the Gleno Hospital. The group works together with the local Police Force in the District who have provided a Police radio to assist the Ambulance. It currently services the whole District of Ermera with emergency transport but especially the local area of Eraulo.

In August 2003, the local Timorese were asked to volunteer to be trained in aspects of health care and promotion, to enable them to take on increasing levels of responsibility of the day to day running of the Health Centre. It is understood by all involved that this is a local community effort and, to that end, the “Healing resources of the community” must be identified, nurtured and reinvested.

The volunteers have been receiving training in first aid, basic public health, pharmacy administration and areas of health promotion. From the current group will be selected a core of future trainers.

Volunteers are being sort from outside East Timor, who can provide care and teach the local volunteers and other members of the community. Experience in cross-cultural health promotion, primary medical and nursing care, public health, health administration, maternal and infant health, and nutrition will all be of immense value.

Very little English is spoken and access to interpreters is limited. Bahasa Indonesian is widely spoken but the local Tetum language is preferred. A willingness to learn some Tetum would be greatly appreciated.

Our priorities at this time are to finish building the Health Centre, to improve accommodation and to seek enquiries from potential volunteers.