Leeuwin Care

In September 1999, after the August 30th ballot for East Timor’s independence, the announcement of the election results and the militia’s outright destruction of the country, people were forced to flee for their lives. The Leeuwin Barracks in East Fremantle, Western Australia gave shelter to 406 East Timorese refugees (including 170 small children) during that time.

Throughout their stay at the Barracks a group of volunteers were so touched by their encounters with the refugees a small non-for-profit organisation, led by those volunteers, began in Perth and later moved to East Timor. They called themselves Leeuwin Care.

Today Leeuwin Care is based in Eraulo, Ermera and consists of 8 East Timorese volunteers along with two to three trucks. They rely on the donations and gifts of family and friends overseas and in East Timor to continue their work. Through their understanding of the culture they have build strong local bonds throughout the country, including receiving acknowledgement and praise from Nobel Peace Prize recipients Bishop Carlos Filipe Belo and Jose Ramos-Horta.

Leeuwin Care, based at the Saint Bakhita Centre runs projects in the four main areas of distribution, education, health and youth in order to aid their fellow East Timorese in the rebuilding of their country.