Urgent Appeal
Expanding access to clean water and sanitation. Supporting maternal and child health.
You might take it for granted, but for communities across the Balibó region, access to water and sanitation can be a major challenge. Most households do not have running water, let alone clean water.
Balibo House Trust are partnering with MiVAC and H2Osborn to expand access to clean water and sanitation in community and health facilities and remote areas. We are currently raising funds to access and protect natural water sources, install mass water filtration units and provide safe water storage.
Alongside practical infrastructure upgrades, our WASH initiatives includes local training, maintenance support and community education to help ensure long-term sustainability.
The Balibó community tell us that improving maternal and child health is a priority. The maternity unit at the Balibó Medical Centre, where more than 500 babies are born each year, requires urgent attention.
There is currently no access to clean drinking water, while sanitation and hygiene infrastructure is extremely limited. Midwives rely on a single deteriorating sink for sterilisation, cleaning equipment, washing patients and maintaining hygiene within the birthing suite.
Maternity facilities across the wider region appear to face similar challenges. Through the Balibo 5 Community Centre, we are working with local communities to better understand conditions and priorities.
Balibo House Trust are committed to standing alongside the Balibó community for the long term. Please join with us on this journey and give now to support this vital work.
Make a donation
100% of your donation will go towards helping the people of Balibó.
Donations to the Balibo House Trust are tax deductible.
Simply complete the donation form on this page to make a single or regular donation, or make a donation by bank transfer or cheque.
Donation by bank transfer:
Balibo House Inc.
BSB: 063012
A/C: 10452768
Don’t forget to include your details so we can send you a receipt for a tax deduction.
Cheques can be posted to:
Balibó House Trust
PO Box 1094
Collingwood 3066
AUSTRALIA
If you would like to discuss a more personalised gift, please contact the Executive Officer at [email protected].
Volunteering with Balibo House Trust
From time to time the Trust welcomes the services of skilled volunteers in Australia and Timor-Leste to help deliver its mission. If you are interested in volunteering, please get in touch: [email protected]
Visit Balibó
By far the best way to understand the Balibó Five story and the work of the Trust is to experience it first-hand. You can stay in the spectacular Balibó Fort Hotel, take a tour of the Fort Heritage and Cultural Museum, or Australian Flag House (now the Balibó Community Learning Centre), learn about the sacrifices of the Balibó martyrs at a hillside memorial, or just wander the town at your own pace.
The nearby sukos (villages) of Cova, Leolima and Leohitu will give you a unique view of village life in Timor-Leste. Balibó is situated in Bobonaro District, a stunning 2.5 hour coastal drive west of Dili, near the border with West Timor.
Donate goods and services
Donations of goods and services are always welcomed in Timor-Leste. Books, toys, furniture and bedding, learning materials, medical equipment, computers and clothes are just some of the things that can find a useful second life in Timor-Leste.
To learn more about donating goods to Balibó, please contact Rotary Donations-In-Kind.
Leave an Enduring Legacy
A gift in your Will to the Balibo House Trust can help create lasting change in the Balibo community for generations to come.
We are committed to long-term partnership and continuing to stand with the Balibo community into the future through initiatives including education and training programs, dental health and outreach services, women’s leadership and wellbeing initiatives, community infrastructure projects, and local employment and social enterprise development.
How to leave a gift in your Will
You may choose to leave:
- a percentage of your estate
- a specific amount
- particular assets or property
- the remainder of your estate after providing for loved ones
We recommend discussing your wishes with your solicitor or legal adviser.
Suggested wording:
“I give and bequeath to Balibo House Trust [the sum of / percentage of / residue of my estate] for its general purposes, free of all duties and taxes.”
We understand this is a personal decision. If you would like a confidential conversation about leaving a gift in your Will, we would be pleased to speak with you. We are deeply grateful to those who choose to support Balibo’s future in this way.