On our mission trip to Timor-Leste, we explored our work at the Padre Manuel Nunes Formigão Social Center in Memo, under the guidance of the Reparatory Sisters of Our Lady of Fatima. At the same time our founders arrived and settled at the Center, a training session was taking place with the Poor Clare Sisters of Timor-Leste. We quickly got to know each other and were invited to the Santa Clara de Assis Social Reception Center in Tunubibi to do some activities with the children at the Center!
It was a very fun and intense day. We divided into two teams: Adriana conducted chemistry experiments on one side, and Inês played games like “Chinese Whispers” with the other groups of children. Initially, the children didn’t seem comfortable. We realized they weren’t used to “Malais” (the name they give to foreigners) and were therefore afraid. However, they always treated us with great respect.
With the games, the children began to let their joy (and competitiveness!) come to the surface and quickly embraced our good energy and the activities we were doing with them. We left there, in the end, with our hearts full!
In the video, you can hear Inês saying “di’ak los,” which means “very good” in Tetum. The children had some difficulty understanding Portuguese, and speaking Tetum brought us closer to them.
We all had fun! Our hearts were even fuller when, speaking with Sister Zulmira, we asked her for a testimony, which we couldn’t keep to ourselves and have to share! Read what she wrote:
After learning about their wonderful work with the children at the Reparatory Sisters’ Center in Memo, we invited them to visit our Center and share with our children a bit of that ancient wisdom of “teaching through play.”
They came! Like a breath of fresh air to brighten the day of the little ones at CASSCA (Santa Clara de Assis Social Reception Center).
And on that day, 07/12/2025, these Young – Doctor Ladies – appeared, bringing joy and much wisdom to share with these “rascals” at the Center. About 200 children aged 4 to 15. With the magic of Chemistry, arts, and sciences, and with lots and lots of play in between, they managed to captivate, spark interest, motivate the children, and open new horizons for a new vision of the world and the possibilities that education can offer us. This day was greatly enriching for both the children and the trainers who actively participated in the proposed activities.
Initially apprehensive and shy, the children quickly surrendered to the magic through games and real experiments they could perform with their own hands. They loved spending this time with the “Professoras malais furak tebes,” meaning: the beautiful foreign Teachers. When will they come back again? They ask several times. They promised they would return!…
Because we saw how much they can help children grow in wisdom and human knowledge, we decided to join this project and ask for their collaboration to enrich the children of Timor-Leste. In this social reality of Timor-Leste, where there is a lack of so many things, it is good to take advantage of those who, with sacrifice and so much effort, want to help.
Thank you to this new Organization, GiraCatavento, in the persons of Dr. Adriana and Dr. Inês. We pray that your Project moves forward and that you may continue to do good for all those who need it most. This is the Mission the Lord has entrusted to you. Do not be discouraged. Onward!
In the background are the Poor Clare Sisters of Timor-Leste praying for you.
Sister Zulmira, Poor Clare Sisters of Timor-Leste, Santa Clara de Assis Social Reception Center
