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The Alola Foundation For Women Survivors

The Alola Foundation was established in March 2001 to raise awareness locally and internationally of the issue of gender based violence as experienced by the women of East Timor. The Foundation works in direct partnership with indigenous East Timorese women´s NGOs and groups whose activities benefit survivors of sexual violence and their families. Whilst in most cases it is not involved directly in service or program delivery, the Alola Foundation periodically implements projects which it deems to be of importance and for which it has adequate personnel and resources to
undertake.

Most East Timorese women´s organisations have a clear understanding of the needs and priorities of their target groups but, for reasons of language and limited access to communications and other facilities are ill-equipped to source funding and other forms of support for their work. Through the establishment of an extensive network of donor bodies and concerned individuals and organisations at both a local and international level, the Alola Foundation aims to bridge the communication gap between East Timorese women and institutions with the will and resources to help them achieve their goals. It also promotes greater communication and coordination between local groups, encouraging the sharing of scarce resources and data which, when pooled, offer a unique and comprehensive picture of the situation of East Timorese women and the issues they face in daily life.

The fact that the Alola Foundation is largely reliant on local partners for the delivery of programs and services means that only a very small percentage of its funds are expended on administration and overhead costs.

When requested, the Alola Foundation also facilitates the delivery of material assistance to appropriate women´s organisations and to individual women survivors of gender based violence.

OUR VISION

To promote the opportunity for women to identify and develop their own projects and to assist them in accessing the funding and resources required to achieve their own organisational objectives.

To create a "clearing house" of information and resources on gender based violence, including sources of financial and political support for the campaigns and activities of East Timorese women´s organisations.

OUR MISSION

The Alola Foundation will strive to develop activities to help address issues identified by East Timorese women as priorities, including those of reproductive health and economic independence. As part of a local network, we work in direct partnership with local Timorese organisations in the delivery of innovative projects and programs, with a focus upon:

* Psycho-social healing

* Vocational and skills-based training (i.e. computer operation, small business management, enterprise development, driving, self-defence)

* Community parties and other activities aimed at restoring a spirit of fun into the lives of women and their families

Donations to the Alola Foundation can be made by sending a cheque (in US dollars and preferably drawn on the ANZ Bank, Australia) to PO Box 3, Dili, Timor Lorosa´e. The bank account details of the Alola Foundation for the purpose of the telegraphic transfer of funds can be obtained by contacting us by mail or email.


Director: Kirsty Sword Gusmão

Honorary Patron: Mrs Mary Robinson, UN Human Rights Commissioner

The case of Juliana dos Santos & Other Links:
Juliana 1: http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/2000/12/28/FFX4SSDV7HC.html

Juliana 2:
http://www.pcug.org.au/~wildwood/01margeneva.htm


How to contact us:
Address: The Alola Foundation PO Box 3,
Dili, Timor Lorosa' e

Email: alola@easttimor.minihub.org



John M. Miller Internet: john@etan.org

Media & Outreach Coordinator
East Timor Action Network: 10 Years for Self-Determination & Justice

48 Duffield St., Brooklyn, NY 11201 USA
Phone: (718)596-7668 Fax: (718)222-4097
Mobile phone: (917)690-4391
Web site: http://www.etan.org

Support ETAN, make a secure financial contribution:
http://etan.org/etan/donate.htm

Send a blank e-mail message to info@etan.org to find out
how to learn more about East Timor on the Internet

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