Loreto Sisters in Timor-Leste
Timor-Leste lies just 720kms north of Darwin and, having gained independence in 2002 after 25 years of Indonesian occupation, is slowly recovering from the trauma of those years. Timor-Leste is one of the poorest countries in the world. For this reason, in seeking to respond to the Gospel by ‘going where the need is greatest’, the Loreto Sisters established a foundation in 2006. 43% of the population of Timor-Leste is under 17 years of age, so the need for education is significant.
Loreto Sisters Margaret Mary Flynn and Selvi Adaikalam live in Baucau, where they accompany 12 young Timorese women who are discerning to become a Loreto Sister. They look forward to soon moving to a village not far from Baucau, where they are currently building a house and centre for community development.
These Sisters also support community development projects in a number of villages as well as the Centro Loreto Pre-School, which supports and encourages the development of local teachers to provide quality education for young children.
