Our History |
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Coordinated by Rosaria Martins da Cruz, HIAM-Health continues the work started by the Karidade-Health organisation under the directorship of the late Sister Chris Jorgensen of the Sisters of Charity, Melbourne Australia. Karidade-Health started its work in East Timor in 2001 and continued until the sudden and tragic death of Sr Chris in 2003. At this time the Sisters of Charity, following policy guidelines, were forced to withdraw their support, as they were unable to find anyone within their order to replace Sr. Jorgensen. This withdrawal involved the termination of employment for the five East Timorese staff and the removal of all office equipment, the mobile clinic facility and a vehicle used for the repatriation of deceased persons home for burial.
Rosaria, who had originally provided the inspiration for Karidade-Health through her voluntary work at the hospital, determined that this essential service should continue for the people of her country. She continued to work alone as a volunteer with minimal support for six months until alternative sources of financial support for the service became available. The continuation and success of the program was achieved largely due to the tenacity of Rosaria and her willingness to work initially without wages, in the hope that a donor organization might be found.
In January 2004 the name of the organisation was changed to HIAM-Health (HIAM being an abbreviation of the East Timorese words Hamutuk Ita Ajuda Malu or "Together we help each other"). The organisation, which had previously been registered as an International NGO (INGO) was formally registered as a 'Local NGO' run by a Timorese.
July 2004 to the present
July 2004: A real turning point for HIAM-Health, when USAID agreed to fund an office and Health Education Centre for them, Dili National Hospital (DNH) providing land for this purpose within the hospital grounds, and HART (UK) agreeing to fund for operational expenses and wages for three staff till July 2006.
August 2004: Wages begin to be paid for Rosaria and two staff; a nurse and assistant for the hospital Social Program were employed.
September 1/2004: HIAM moves into their new premises.
September 17/2004: The first Health Education workshop held, open to the general public. There are now five workshops held per week.
November 2004: Funds received from Humpty Dumpty Foundation via Alola Foundation and Rotary Club Dili to build a children's play area at HIAM-Health office.
April 2005: Commencement of Supplementary Feeding program to support already established milk supplement program. Grinding Machine provided by Rotary International (Food supplement recipe provided by Care International, approved by the East Timorese Ministry of Health)
July 2005: Following the donation of a 4-wheel drive vehicle, HIAM is again able to repatriate deceased persons home for burial. The vehicle is also used as a mobile health promotion unit, and for taking people home after discharge from hospital. This service is offered to the extremely poor patients at DNH.
August 2005: Programs are expanded to include the six Dili Sub-district Clinics. Funds provided by the British Embassy, Timor-Leste, enable the employment of another Health Promotion Nurse and an Office Manager/Program Co-ordinator, as well as assisting with vehicle running/maintenance costs and food supplement for malnourished children.
August 2005: A commitment from St John God Pathology (Australia) to provide funds for wages and general operating expenses from July 2006 for a further three years when current funding expires.
November 2005: Funds for two years from the Melrose Foundation (Australia) for the Food Supplement Feeding Program for malnourished infants/children attending HIAM Centre and wages for part-time staff. $10,000US is also donated towards the procurement of land for the Malnutrition Rehabilitation Centre.
November 2005: Donation from SETRA, (Seattle East Timor Relief Association) to enable a security fence to be built around the HIAM premises in order to establish a household/kitchen garden for teaching purposes. Funds to establish the garden are provided by private donations.
Confirmed for the future
February 2006: Nutritionist sponsored by Australian Volunteers International (AVI) arriving mid February for 6 months to work with HIAM staff to produce a recipe/menu booklet for everyday use, based on healthy nutrition, which ingredients are economical to purchase and locally grown. Booklet is to be funded by British Embassy Grant (Timor-Leste).
July 2006: Nutritionist/Trainer sponsored by Australian Volunteers International (AVI) arriving July 2006 to work with HIAM staff for 12 months to develop and expand their knowledge on Nutrition and Health Promotion.
AVI Commitment: Australian Volunteers International (AVI) have committed to their on going support of HIAM-Health with their future requirements for trainers, e.g. Horticulturist/trainer for Malnutrition Rehabilitation Centre.
HIAM now has five full-time staff, four part-time staff and three volunteers training to become Health Promotion Trainers.*
The HIAM Health Team
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Please help us! Due to the current humanitarian crisis in East Timor, we desperately need your help. |
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How you can help... |
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Help build HIAM Health's Malnutrition
Rehabilitation Centre
Why a rehab centre?
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Education programs... |
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| Parents at a recent education program run by HIAM Health in Metinaro |
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Cooking Demonstration... |
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| Health Education workshops began in September 2004, open to the general public. There are now five workshops held per week. |
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Visiting inpatients... |
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| This little boy has survived for the second time sever malnutrition even though he is now on the road to recovery, because he is under 3 years of age the damage to his development, mental and physical is irreversible |
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Read our stories... |
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| HIAM-Health first met Lola as an inpatient in Dili Hospital [ read more... ] |