We are a RARE Program (Rotary Australia Repurposing Equipment) under RAWCS in the care of the Rotary Club of Como. 

From occupation to nationhood, and from hardship to hope, Rotary continues to walk alongside the people of Timor‑Leste - strengthening communities, supporting development, and living our shared commitment to Service Above Self.

A Nation Forged Through Resilience

Timor‑Leste’s modern history is defined by courage and determination. After World War II, Portuguese rule resumed until the 1974 Carnation Revolution triggered rapid decolonisation. In 1975, FRETILIN declared independence - but within weeks, Indonesia launched a full‑scale invasion and annexed the territory in 1976.

For more than two decades, the Timorese people resisted occupation. Leaders such as Xanana Gusmão guided the Falintil resistance, while international awareness grew following the 1991 Santa Cruz Massacre, where hundreds of peaceful protesters were killed in Dili. Global support intensified when José Ramos‑Horta and Bishop Carlos Belo received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996.

In 1999, a UN‑supervised referendum saw 78.5% vote for independence, triggering violent reprisals until peacekeepers restored stability. Timor‑Leste’s independence was formally recognised in 2002, and the nation joined the United Nations the same year.

Despite progress, the country continues to face challenges - from political instability to natural disasters such as Tropical Cyclone Seroja (2021) - all of which place pressure on already fragile infrastructure.

Rotary’s Lifeline: Containers for Timor

In response to ongoing need, Rotary established the Containers for Timor Project in 2008, later registering it with RAWCS in 2010. The project delivers 40‑foot containers of high‑quality donated goods from Western Australia to communities across Timor‑Leste.

Each container is packed in Perth by: Members of the Rotary Club of Como, the WA Community and the Timorese community. To date, the project has shipped 46 containers - more than 600 tonnes of vital resources diverted from landfill and placed directly into the hands of those who need them most.

Containers for Timor provides critical support to a wide range of organizations and communities in East Timor, including the Casa Vida & Alola Foundation: Offering housing and support for children and young girls affected by domestic violence and sexual assault, Hospitals - Such as Gleno Hospital and Guido Valadares Hospital, Orphanages: Including Bibi Atan Diak Orphanage and Father Acio’s facilities in Dili and Aileu, Schools: Serving local schools in Ermera, Los Palos, Aileu, Dili, and beyond and Remote Communities: Supplying clothing, kitchen equipment, tools, bags, shoes, and more through local priests and sisters. 

Global freight increases now threaten the project’s sustainability. Each container costs approximately $15,000 to purchase, ship, and deliver - a rise of more than 30% since the first shipment.