Peace Corps Timor-Leste

(English version)
March 1–7 marks Peace Corps Week! We asked our Volunteers and staff what the Tetun word “tulun” (“help”) means to them, and how they help their communities, counterparts, and fellow Volunteers in their daily work. Today maun Floriano, our Training Manager, shares with us what Tulun means to him. Stay tuned to learn what Tulun means to our team members.

(Tetun version)
Loron 1-7 fulan-Marsu marka Semana Korpu da Pás nian! Ami husu ba ami-nia Voluntáriu no funsionáriu sira saida mak liafuan Tetun “tulun” (“ajuda”) signifika ba sira, no oinsá sira ajuda sira-nia komunidade, maluk sira, no maluk Voluntáriu sira iha sira-nia serbisu loroloron. Ohin, maun Floriano, ita-nia Jerente Formasaun nian fahe ho ita sentidu husi liafuan "Tulun" ba nia.Akompaña nafatin atu aprende tan liafuan Tulun nia sentidu ba ita-nia ekipa.

(English version)
March 1–7 marks Peace Corps Week! We asked our Volunteers and staff what the Tetun word “tulun” (“help”) means to them, and how they help their communities, counterparts, and fellow Volunteers in their daily work. Today maun Jason, one our of currently serving Volunteers shares with us what Tulun means to him.Stay tuned to learn what Tulun means to us.

(Tetun version)
Loron 1-7 fulan-Marsu marka Semana Korpu da Pás nian! Ami husu ba ami-nia Voluntáriu no funsionáriu sira saida mak liafuan Tetun “tulun” (“ajuda”) signifika ba sira, no oinsá sira ajuda sira-nia komunidade, maluk sira, no maluk Voluntáriu sira iha sira-nia serbisu loroloron. Ohin, maun Jason, ita-nia Voluntáriu ida fahe ho ita sentidu husi liafuan "Tulun" ba nia.Akompaña nafatin atu aprende tan liafuan Tulun nia sentidu.

(English version)
At its core, Peace Corps service is built on collaboration through Volunteers living and working side by side with members of their host communities. This video montage highlights some of the meaningful partnerships our current and past Volunteers have carried out together in Timor-Leste. Happy Peace Corps Week, everyone!

(Tetun version)
Parte importante husi serbisu Korpu da Pás nian mak harii liuhusi kolaborasaun Voluntáriu sira ne'ebé hela no serbisu hamutuk ho membru sira hosi sira-nia komunidade. Vídeo montajen ida-ne'e hatudu parseria signifikativu balu ne'ebé ita-nia Voluntáriu atuál no pasadu sira hala'o hamutuk ho sira-nia ómologu iha Timor-Leste.Ksolok Semana Korpu da Pás bai ta hotu!

(English version)
Happy Peace Corps Week, everyone!

(Tetun version)
Ksolok Semana Korpu da Pás bai ta hotu!

(English version)
March 1 is celebrated as Peace Corps Day. It is a special occasion to honor President John F. Kennedy’s vision when he launched the Peace Corps in 1961, encouraging Volunteers to promote peace and friendship around the world. Since then, more than 240,000 Americans have served in 144 countries. Here in Timor-Leste, we have welcomed over 200 Volunteers since our first cohort in 2002. Happy Peace Corps Week, everyone!

(Tetun version)
Loron 1 Marsu selebra nu’udar Loron Korpu da Pás nian. Ida-ne'e mak okaziaun espesiál ida atu fó onra ba Prezidente John F. Kennedy ninia vizaun bainhira nia lansa Korpu da Pás iha tinan 1961 hodi enkoraja Voluntáriu sira atu promove pás no amizade iha mundu tomak. Dezde ne’e kedas, ema Amerikanu liu 240,000 maka servisu ona iha nasaun 144. Iha Timor-Leste, ita simu ona Voluntáriu liu 200 hahuu husi koorte dahuluk iha tinan 2002. Ksolok Semana Korpu da Pás bai ta hotu!

(English version)
Last weekend, mana Annabelle and her counterpart, mestre Ivónio, organized an excursion for 50 students from their school to visit a local turtle conservation initiative run by the youth volunteer organization “Lenuk Tasi.” Their host, maun Cedelizio, delivered a short presentation about sea turtles, the different species found in Timor-Leste and the important role each person can play in protecting these marine animals. After the talk, the Volunteers, educators, and students all worked together to clean up the beach.

It was inspiring to see such strong collaboration and enthusiasm from everyone involved. Our PCVs and counterparts are leading by example, sharing knowledge, and raising awareness about the importance of protecting our marine ecosystem and local turtle populations. Parabéns todos for a job well done.

(Tetun version)
Iha findesemana kotuk, mana Annabelle ho nia omólogu, mestre Ivónio, organiza eskursaun ida ba estudante na'in 50 hosi sira nia eskola hodi vizita inisiativa konservasaun Lenuk lokál ne'ebé hala'o husi organizasaun voluntáriu juventude “Lenuk Tasi”. Maun Cedelizio, líder ida “Lenuk Tasi” hato’o aprezentasaun badak kona-ba Lenuk tasi nian, espésie oioin ne’ebé ita bele hetan iha Timor-Leste no papél importante ne’ebé ema ida-idak bele hala’o hodi proteje animál tasi sira-ne’e. Hafoin ne’e, Voluntáriu sira, edukadór sira, no estudante sira hotu serbisu hamutuk hodi hamoos tasi-ibun.

Inspirativu tebes hodi haree kolaborasaun no entuziazmu maka'as hanesan ne'e husi partisipante no estudante sira. Ita-nia Voluntáriu sira no omólogu sira lidera ho ezemplu, fahe koñesimentu, no hasa'e konxiénsia kona-ba importánsia atu proteje ita-nia ekosistema tasi no populasaun lenuk lokál sira. Parabéns hotu-hotu ba serbisu ida-ne'ebé susesu.

(English version)
Last year, Peace Corps Timor-Leste had the honor of welcoming Dr. John Lee Evans, Board Chair of the National Peace Corps Association to our office. During his visit to Timor-Leste, Dr. Evans met with our staff and several Volunteers serving in their communities, gaining a firsthand look at the impact of their work and their everyday experience living with their host family.

Today, we are excited to share a short video interview in which Dr. Evans reflects on his impressions of Timor-Leste and the meaningful experiences Volunteers gain while living and working alongside their communities. He also witnessed how deeply Volunteers become part of their host families, many affectionately calling their host parents amá and apá, a wonderful sign of the cultural immersion and strong bonds formed during service.

Thank you, Dr. Evans, for visiting our post, spending time with our Volunteers and staff, and sharing your thoughtful perspectives with us.

(Tetun version)
Tinan kotuk, Korpu da Pás Timor-Leste hetan onra hodi simu Dr. John Lee Evans, Presidente ba Board of National Peace Corps Association iha ita-nia eskritóriu. Durante nia vizita iha Timor-Leste, Dr. Evans hasoru malu ho ita-nia funsionáriu sira no Voluntáriu balu ne'ebé servisu iha sira-nia komunidade hodi haree direta kona-ba impaktu husi sira nia serbisu no sira-nia esperiénsia loroloron nian inklui haree sira-nia moris ho sira-nia família uma-na'in.

Ohin, ami haksolok tebes atu fahe video entrevista badak ida iha ne’ebé Dr. Evans reflete kona-ba ninia impresaun kona-ba Timor-Leste no esperiénsia signifikativu ne’ebé Voluntáriu sira hetan bainhira moris no serbisu hamutuk ho sira-nia komunidade. Nia mós asiste oinsá Voluntáriu sira sai parte ida hosi sira-nia família uma-na'in, barak ho laran-di'ak bolu sira nia inan-aman uma-na'in amá no apá, sinál furak ida hosi imersaun kulturál hodi haforsa lasu ne'ebé forma durante servisu.

Obrigado, Dr. Evans, tanba vizita ami nia post, gasta tempu ho ita-nia Voluntáriu no funsionáriu sira, no fahe Ita-boot nia perspetiva ho ami. .