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Workshop on
Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) and Poverty Alleviation of Persons with
Disabilities |
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Materials : Country/Review PaperCommunity Based Rehabilitation in Timor- Leste*KLIBUR ALEIZADUS TIMOR LORO SA’E Rua Clak Fuik Becora, Dili – Timor Leste 1. BackgroundTimor-Leste was colonized by Portugal for approximately 500 year, and it was then under illegal Indonesian occupation for 24 years. In 1999 after a long war, struggling for freedom and independence the United Nations through its mission called United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) organized a Popular Consultation to vote for independence in late September 1999. Timor-Leste is now the newest nation of this century in the Asia and Pacific Region. The population of Timor-Leste is about 900,000, with the majority of the population living in the rural areas. Provisional Census 2004 data indicate about 15 per cent of the households have a member with a physical disability or mental condition. There are several local organizations of and for persons with disabilities in Timor-Leste. The incidence of poverty in the country as a whole is 39.7 per cent (World Bank, 2003). In other words, two in five individuals in Timor-Leste are not able to cover the cost of food and non–food consumption requirements. People with disabilities generally do not have access to education, health, employment opportunities or other basic needs. The Disability Working Group of Timor-Leste was established in 2001 and its membership comprises local NGO’s and government. Still, not enough is happening in the disability arena. The Disability Working Group members have expressed frustration, dismay and anger over lost or missed opportunities to promote the situation of persons with disabilities over the last four years. But, as a new country Timor-Leste has experienced immense social system changes. That was marked by a sudden growth of the democratic system that gave wider opportunity for people to get freedom of speech and expression of ideas. Besides the growing economic issues, the awareness of democracy and human rights issues – including the rights of persons with disability – is becoming more prominent in Timor-Leste. KATILOSA is one of the local organizations that have been working with persons with physical disabilities since its establishment in late September 2000. KATILOSA directs special attention to lobbying and advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities in Timor-Leste. 2. CBR in Timor-LesteIn early 2004 KATILOSA organized a workshop in Dili, Timor-Leste on Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR), with financial assistance of the Asia-Pacific section of Rehabilitation International (RI), an international NGO. The workshop was designed to assess the needs of people with disabilities within the community and to formulate an effective strategic plan for developing CBR, which is based on disability issues, its causes and various needs of people with disabilities, their families and their communities. Through the workshop some crucial disability issues were identified:
Considering the above issues, both positive and negative points, it is crucial to set up capacity building for CBR programs both in rural and urban areas. The program would support and develop a feasible, cost-effective approach to increase the quality of life of persons with disabilities. The program would also develop knowledge about problems involved and possible solutions to these problems KATILOSA has begun to address some of these issues through a number of initiatives. a. Self Help and Income Generation In early 2005 KATILOSA organized two training courses, with financial assistance Asia-Pacific section of Rehabilitation International:
Following this training, two income generating groups were established in Dili, for which KATILOSA provided small loans to assist with the establishment of a variety of income generating projects. These two pilot groups will be monitored and evaluated every three months. Later this year the program will be extended to Baucau, Timor-Leste’s second major city. b. Community Based Rehabilitation Services for Children KATILOSA has since 2000 provided home based rehabilitation service to children with disabilities in and around Dili. The program has two nurses who with the assistance of Australian Volunteers International (AVI) physiotherapists provide treatment and equipment for children, and education and advice for their families and their communities. This program has since been extended to Baucau and Ermera, the second and third most populous districts of Timor-Leste. Volunteers, family members and health workers in those communities are being trained by KATILOSA staff. KATILOSA plans to extend this training to three additional districts over the next two years, resources permitting: Bobonaro (Maliana), Cova Lima (Suai) and Manufahi (Same). KATILOSA is also working in partnership with the newly-established “Timor Loro Sa’e Centre for Physical Rehabilitation” at Becora with a view to ensuring that children with disabilities in all regions of Timor-Leste will have appropriate access to its institutionally based services. c. Accessibility Where possible technical and mobility aids and equipment for children with disabilities should be made locally so that it will be appropriate to local conditions. KATILOSA is currently discussing with the International Labour Organization (ILO) employment promotion and skill development team working with the State Secretariat for Labor and Solidarity to identify options by which persons with disabilities can develop the knowledge and skills that they need to participate either as entrepreneur or employee in local production and servicing of technical and mobility aids. KATILOSA is developing a training package to develop awareness of disability and accessibility issues among the staff of governmental and non government organizations. KATILOSA directs special attention to advocating for the inclusion of children with disabilities in the mainstream education system. Currently, KATILOSA is developing a collaborative partnership with the Special Education Unit of the Marist Brothers’ Teacher Training college at Baucau on inclusive education. KATILOSA is strongly advocating for early establishment of a national council of people with disabilities to provide a forum for exchanges of views and knowledge as well as promote improved coordination between Government and the no-governmental community on the situation of persons with disability and development. d. Sports Participation KATILOSA has been active in assisting the participation of athletes with disabilities to attend several international events. This has not only raised the self confidence of these athletes but promoted positive images of people with disabilities. These athletes provide powerful role models for others with disabilities and help to address some of the negative attitudes within the community. 3. Issues related to formulation of a national policy concerning advancement of persons with disability in Timor-LesteAs a member of the Disability Working Group KATILOSA has been participating in the process of formulating the first national policy on advancement of persons with disabilities in Timor-Leste, which is being undertaken by the State Secretariat for Labour and Solidarity. The Constitution of Timor-Leste provides the overall framework for developing a national policy on disability since it guarantees the fundamental human rights and freedoms of citizens with disability, on the basis of equality between women and men. With the rights of persons guaranteed in the Constitution, the focus in drafting the national policy is on promotion of accessibility in the general systems of society of Timor-Leste to further thereby equalization of persons with disabilities to participate fully and effectively as agents and beneficiaries of inclusive development and poverty reduction, which are the paramount goals of the Government. It is envisaged that the State Secretariat will present its draft of the national policy on advancement of persons with disability for the consideration of the Council of Ministers during the second-half of 2005. Dili, Timor-Leste 15 June 2005 * Prepared by Laurentino Guterres, Director, KATILOSA (Dili, Timor-Leste).
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