Tenison Woods College students recently presented Ryder-Cheshire Australia with a $1000 donation to be spent on computers for students in Timor-Leste.
Ryder-Cheshire Australia national president Rory McEwen was on hand to receive the cheque, with the funds transferred to the Ryder-Cheshire home “Klibur Domin” at Tibar, near Dili, enabling RCA representative and volunteer John Kirby to acquire three refurbished computers and present them.
The Ryder-Cheshire sponsored home Klibur Domin (meaning Sharing with Love in local language Tetun), although predominantly engaged in the detection and treatment of tuberculosis patients, also houses 11 students with disabilities.
Tenison College immersion co-ordinator Bernadette Fisher was made aware of the need for technology resources for disadvantaged students in Timor and was excited to help by donating money raised from the college’s Charity Ball and Charity Day to purchase computers.
“We are keen to return to Timor post-COVID and look forward to developing a relationship with the Ryder-Cheshire home and visiting in person when overseas trips are allowed,” Mrs Fisher said.
“I am excited to explore the possibility of post school visits for students with Mr Kirby and Mr McEwen and look forward to supporting another Timor community as well as our sister school in Hatolia, the Dominican Orphanage and the Bakhita Centre.”
Mr Kirby said RCA provided full board and paid school fees for the students to attend the adjacent Immaculate Heart of Mary high school, who would otherwise have been denied an education.
“With the help of fellow volunteer and Rotarian Andrew Seabrook from Casterton we struck up a great working relationship with local family-owned technology firm Inovar4, who provided three refurbished laptop computers at cost,” he said.
“The computers are to be shared between the disability students at Klibur Domin and the girl boarders at the convent.
“The students living at Klibur Domin have a range of physical disabilities and are appreciative of their ability to attend school nearby, which is a bonus for those with restricting mobility issues.
“They love practising their English when visiting volunteers pass by.”
Mr McEwen was pleased to be able to receive the cheque from college students and see the donation put to immediate use.
“The Tenison College students involved in the fundraising to purchase a computer were excited about the possibility of a virtual meeting the beneficiaries,” he said.
