Timor Leste Kids Literacy Fund

Troy was immediately and deeply affected by the plight of the East Timorese when he was deployed there with the Australian Army & the INTERFET Mission to restore peace in Sep 1999.

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The violence, depth of depravity, and destruction caused by Indonesia was beyond words and comprehension. Troy was touched by the strength of the East Timorese and by the good work of the then, Mary Mackillop Institute of East Timorese Studies (MMIETS). They were a group of Catholic Nuns that had been trying to maintain literacy In East Timor throughout Indonesia’s evil reign of murder and genocide.

Immediately on return to Australia from East Timor, Troy began raising money for MMIETS to assist their work for improving children’s literacy in East Timor. With the publishing of Troy’s first Children’s book “Sorry Wally” in 2007, Troy donated part proceeds of the sale of every book to MMIETS.

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Through MMIETS, a Tetun (East Timorese language) translated version of “Sorry Wally” was done in the hopes of having copies of the book printed and donated to every school in East Timor (Timor Leste). Whilst Troy's Tetun translated version of "Sorry Wally" was distributed to primary schools throughout Timor Leste it was not at the levels Troy had envisaged.

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After fighting demons of his own, Troy now is embarking on a new mission to realise his dream of helping the children of Timor Leste by completing the most important mission of his life. Helping to improve Literacy of the children of Timor Leste.

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Troy has created his own Charity, Timor Leste Kids Literacy Fund, and the program “Books From Mates” to fulfill his mission. Books from Mates means Australians making a difference to our closest and dearest neighbours, Timor Leste. Timor Leste have suffered under the tyranny of Indonesia and now from just poverty, which is seriously affecting literacy rates. By providing books, we are giving the gift of literacy, through the education of the youth, then Timor Leste will rise above and thrive.

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Donate now through our gofund page, or contact Troy and his team here on how you can help make a difference to the people of Timor Leste.

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We are looking for volunteers to assist and/or conduct fund raising activities to raise money to have Tetun translated versions of Troy’s Children’s Books placed in Every school in East Timor.

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Visit our webpage here for more information.