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Departures...
Lt-Col Daryl Clarke left for Australia this week....
Responsible for training the East Timorese army, Lt-Col Clarke is probably the most appropriate person in the Australian armed forces for this job. Serious and committed to his work, he also is also liberal and internationalist in his worldview, full of slightly absurd humour and so sensibly, utterly opposed to war as a means of conflict resolution.
The going-away function was at Vasco da Gama, a rather exclusive little set of apartments in Moteal, possibly the best suburb in Dili. It isn't that grand really, equivalent to backpacker accomodation in Bali for example, but here it's a shining beacon of civilization. The people were a good mix of locals and internationals. There were only a few overpaid loutish internationals - such people make my skin crawl.
I am already missing him a great deal - and I knew it would be like this. He is one of those rare individuals who has a heart full of a sense of social justice and genuine concern and yet with a endlessly cheerful demeanor. It's rare that a person can do both at the same time.
Not surprisingly, he's also good friends with one my other military colleagues Capt. Clinton Fernandez. Apparently they've both been involved in writing about Australia's involvement in East Timor. In fifty years time, when all the dust has settled, the publication may just see the light of day.
... Deb has come down with dengue fever.
Visiting on a sort of sight-seeing expedition, but having spent nearly all her time working for the War Widows and Women Veteran's tais (indigenous style woven cloth) NGO, Deb has come out with a rash, headach and impossibly painful joints. Everything seems to indicate that this is a case - probably mild - of dengue fever which is at epidemic levels in this country. Dengue is a mosquito borne disease, which is usually non-fatal. There is no cure or prevention and treatment is simply rest, panadol and water.
Deb is the second person in this house to come down with this disease in the past couple of months. From all accounts, she'll be allright, although it may be too early to tell. I'm wondering how I've managed to avoid it.
And I've finished my qualitative review from AVI.
When a volunteer nears completion of their service, AVI sends out a two-part review. The first is a fairly comprehensive multi-choice set of questions. The second is more qualitative. I thought I'd share Part B.
The most important challenges that you had to face during your assignment
The most signficant challenge was instilling a sense of importance and basic knowledge of computer technology and usage for the immediate (i.e., the two other IT staff) and general staff. This was substantially aided by the production of a 200pp users manual, intensive training sessions and the writing of several clear policy documents.
The next most significant challenge was to develop plans and implementations based on appropriate and likely technological resources. On an initial level this was achieved through the website policy and implementation (www.mfac.gov.tp) and can be continued the hardware and software planning policy.
The third most significant challenge was to deal with a lack of professional work practises (both by local and international staff), inter-ministerial discussions and the very poor level of communication and technology within the government as a whole. These matters were outside of my work role and were politically impossible to act upon in any meaningful way.
The most important things that you have learnt/gained from your volunteer experience.
and
The major impacts, if any, that the volunteer experience has had on your attitudes and values.
A general transformation from abstract knowledge of the global distribution of wealth and infrastructure to concrete knowledge and the grounding of a strong personal committment to developmental aid. These aspects are not to be underestimated. I consider these facets to be of a qualitative transformation in my personal development.
The second matter of importance/impact has been the recognition, with some disappointment, that the desire for genuine independence is not as strong as expected. There remains a workplace "culture" that seems to be more in tune with that of the previous occupying government; to put simply, there is a lack of elan that may have otherwise been expected.
Apart from this the experience has been a confirmation of previously existing convictions: that cultural differences, contrary to conventional wisdom, are minor compared to the universal human needs of food, housing, health, education and a life with meaning.
Any major issues related to your assignment that would like to discuss further with us e.g., security issues, the availability of health care facilities.
Cynicism of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advisory statements remains very high, especially after the number of unsubstantiated warnings and the complete lack of warning when security issues were of a major concern (i.e., the December 4 riots). Health facilities are, of course, of extremely low standard. One wouldn't have become a volunteer however if these issues were not considered.
The level of support provided to you by Australian Volunteers International.
Sufficient. As an extremely independent person I can manage with minimal of support. I do express concerns however for those volunteers in districts where there is no ready 'phone or Internet access.
Any particular information related to your work or living situation which might be of value to other volunteers looking at positions/locations similar to yours.
Do the best you can. Don't expect that even the most logical, beneficial and clear plans will be adopted. Don't overwork yourself (says he who has worked c85 hours a week for the past year). Learn the local language. Live frugally; very frugally.
Ideas that you may have about how you may utilise your experience back in Australia.
To be honest, I have deep concerns with my return to Australia. I am anticipating extremely high levels of annoyance towards expressions of triviality, selfishness and ignorance. Education of the Australian public of the disparity in the worldwide distribution of wealth and infrastructure is a prioirity, although the cynical side of me considers that in their splendid isolation most Australian people simply won't care.
Australia's constant betrayal of East Timor - a nation which lost 13% of it's population in defence of Australia in the Second World War and almost 30% of its population during the Indonesian military occupation - which successive Australian governments endorsed - stands as a stark example their national resiliance and our national failure. I have doubts whether people who have not experienced or seen the living conditions here will ever truly understand what this means.
Responsible for training the East Timorese army, Lt-Col Clarke is probably the most appropriate person in the Australian armed forces for this job. Serious and committed to his work, he also is also liberal and internationalist in his worldview, full of slightly absurd humour and so sensibly, utterly opposed to war as a means of conflict resolution.
The going-away function was at Vasco da Gama, a rather exclusive little set of apartments in Moteal, possibly the best suburb in Dili. It isn't that grand really, equivalent to backpacker accomodation in Bali for example, but here it's a shining beacon of civilization. The people were a good mix of locals and internationals. There were only a few overpaid loutish internationals - such people make my skin crawl.
I am already missing him a great deal - and I knew it would be like this. He is one of those rare individuals who has a heart full of a sense of social justice and genuine concern and yet with a endlessly cheerful demeanor. It's rare that a person can do both at the same time.
Not surprisingly, he's also good friends with one my other military colleagues Capt. Clinton Fernandez. Apparently they've both been involved in writing about Australia's involvement in East Timor. In fifty years time, when all the dust has settled, the publication may just see the light of day.
... Deb has come down with dengue fever.
Visiting on a sort of sight-seeing expedition, but having spent nearly all her time working for the War Widows and Women Veteran's tais (indigenous style woven cloth) NGO, Deb has come out with a rash, headach and impossibly painful joints. Everything seems to indicate that this is a case - probably mild - of dengue fever which is at epidemic levels in this country. Dengue is a mosquito borne disease, which is usually non-fatal. There is no cure or prevention and treatment is simply rest, panadol and water.
Deb is the second person in this house to come down with this disease in the past couple of months. From all accounts, she'll be allright, although it may be too early to tell. I'm wondering how I've managed to avoid it.
And I've finished my qualitative review from AVI.
When a volunteer nears completion of their service, AVI sends out a two-part review. The first is a fairly comprehensive multi-choice set of questions. The second is more qualitative. I thought I'd share Part B.
The most important challenges that you had to face during your assignment
The most signficant challenge was instilling a sense of importance and basic knowledge of computer technology and usage for the immediate (i.e., the two other IT staff) and general staff. This was substantially aided by the production of a 200pp users manual, intensive training sessions and the writing of several clear policy documents.
The next most significant challenge was to develop plans and implementations based on appropriate and likely technological resources. On an initial level this was achieved through the website policy and implementation (www.mfac.gov.tp) and can be continued the hardware and software planning policy.
The third most significant challenge was to deal with a lack of professional work practises (both by local and international staff), inter-ministerial discussions and the very poor level of communication and technology within the government as a whole. These matters were outside of my work role and were politically impossible to act upon in any meaningful way.
The most important things that you have learnt/gained from your volunteer experience.
and
The major impacts, if any, that the volunteer experience has had on your attitudes and values.
A general transformation from abstract knowledge of the global distribution of wealth and infrastructure to concrete knowledge and the grounding of a strong personal committment to developmental aid. These aspects are not to be underestimated. I consider these facets to be of a qualitative transformation in my personal development.
The second matter of importance/impact has been the recognition, with some disappointment, that the desire for genuine independence is not as strong as expected. There remains a workplace "culture" that seems to be more in tune with that of the previous occupying government; to put simply, there is a lack of elan that may have otherwise been expected.
Apart from this the experience has been a confirmation of previously existing convictions: that cultural differences, contrary to conventional wisdom, are minor compared to the universal human needs of food, housing, health, education and a life with meaning.
Any major issues related to your assignment that would like to discuss further with us e.g., security issues, the availability of health care facilities.
Cynicism of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advisory statements remains very high, especially after the number of unsubstantiated warnings and the complete lack of warning when security issues were of a major concern (i.e., the December 4 riots). Health facilities are, of course, of extremely low standard. One wouldn't have become a volunteer however if these issues were not considered.
The level of support provided to you by Australian Volunteers International.
Sufficient. As an extremely independent person I can manage with minimal of support. I do express concerns however for those volunteers in districts where there is no ready 'phone or Internet access.
Any particular information related to your work or living situation which might be of value to other volunteers looking at positions/locations similar to yours.
Do the best you can. Don't expect that even the most logical, beneficial and clear plans will be adopted. Don't overwork yourself (says he who has worked c85 hours a week for the past year). Learn the local language. Live frugally; very frugally.
Ideas that you may have about how you may utilise your experience back in Australia.
To be honest, I have deep concerns with my return to Australia. I am anticipating extremely high levels of annoyance towards expressions of triviality, selfishness and ignorance. Education of the Australian public of the disparity in the worldwide distribution of wealth and infrastructure is a prioirity, although the cynical side of me considers that in their splendid isolation most Australian people simply won't care.
Australia's constant betrayal of East Timor - a nation which lost 13% of it's population in defence of Australia in the Second World War and almost 30% of its population during the Indonesian military occupation - which successive Australian governments endorsed - stands as a stark example their national resiliance and our national failure. I have doubts whether people who have not experienced or seen the living conditions here will ever truly understand what this means.
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There are some damn fine people in Australia, no doubt about it. Indeed, some of the best in the world (we still have one the world's best education systems, I think that has a lot to do with it).
But as a whole the place isn't as worldly wise as it often tries to make out sometimes. The East Timor thing really frustrates me. I reckon everyone in Australia should come over to do one year here as a volunteer at some stage.
That way we could at least be making some attempt at repaying the moral debt our nation owes these people.
Re:
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I've often felt that politicians should receive renumeration equal to, and in distribution with, current income.
I can just see 6% of MPs on the dole. I reckon about two weeks after that is implemented there would be calls for a proper national employment programme...
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Are there more of him???
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I'm surprised by how many I find. Birds of a feather I guess. Oh, and the decision to stop wasting my time with people who aren't like that. Life's too short to spend on people who don't have the simple wisdom of how to be a decent and just person.