As part of my volunteering with local NGO HAMNASA I travelled to Ermera municipality in April 2024 to help support a number of community events in remote villages and hamlets. It was the first time I’d been outside of Dili (other than a week on Atauro Island) and was a memorable experience. Just getting there was a challenge with the roads becoming increasingly rough the further we travelled from Dili, included a flooded crossing.
In typical wet season conditions we drove up to the village of Suwerkeke, home to a blue community hall, and some impressive gravestones.
On the way we drove by Railaco Eggs Farming, one of the largest chicken farms in Timor-Leste, which was quite smelly!
The training was being run in Fatucado, which is a hamlet relatively close to (but along awful roads) Suwerkeke.
On the drive back to Gleno, the largest town in Ermera, and our base for two nights I spotted a couple of locals carrying mattresses and chairs…
The sun came out for our visit to Kokoa, which was home to an attractive white church on the hill, and stunning views of the impressive surrounding landscape.
To finish with a few more from the road.
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