A 17 year village to village partnership between Kangaroo Valley and Remixio in East Timor is nearing it’s end goal of lighting over 1500 homes.
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The 1999 independence referendum, was the catalyst for a dedicated group of Valley residents to form the Kangaroo Valley Remixio Partnership (KVRP); their aim was to supply electricity to every home in the village.
Remixio is located in the mountains south of Dili and is about the same size as Kangaroo Valley, but with 12 times the population.
KVRP member Sandy Fritz has travelled to Remixio to experience the day-to-day life in the village.
“Many areas not only don't have electricity, they don't have access to tap water or sufficient food for 12 months of the year; yet the people are very generous and gentle,” she said.
“Remexio is predominantly an agricultural lifestyle and the communities are quite close-knit, particularly those who live in the village, compared with those who live in more remote parts of the region.
“In Fatarasa there is the regular rhythm of community; children go off to school in the morning and by late afternoon or early evening the common ground area in the centre of the village is full of young people aged from seven to 25, playing sport.
“The response to the lights could not be more positive, imagine living without electricity yourself. The lights allow children to study, parents to work after sunset and provide a sense of security.”
Lynne Dooley has travelled to Remixio on three occasions.
“Every time I feel more inspired to continue our partnership and strengthen our relationships with the people of Remixio,” she said.
“In the words of one of the Remixio community members 'light is life'; in some way it captures the significance and impact of this project.
“The people of Remixio genuinely feel and appreciate the friendship they have with Kangaroo Valley, and this project has only strengthened that friendship.
“It has shifted people's practice from the use of polluting kerosene to clean solar energy. It has in a small way improved the quality of people's lives and created the potential for future collaborations with Remixio and Kangaroo Valley.”
KVRP is hosting a fundraising event, One Fell Swoop, with hopes they will raise the remaining $29,100 required to light the remaining unlit homes.
One Swell Foop will be held on Saturday, August 6 at 6.30 pm in the Kangaroo Valley Hall.