Imagine knocking on the door of the man who had killed your father 12-years earlier, and then accepting his invitation in for dinner.
Following Timor-Leste’s independence, in 2007 a formal friendship agreement was established between Blue Mountains City Council and Hatobuilico to support Timorese-led decision-making.
Born in 1976, a year after Indonesia’s occupation of the small nation of Timor-Leste, Jacinto Mendes Pereira, like many thousands of Timorese, grew up in the shadows of a battlefield of resistence.
Naive and sweet, young and petite, she sits quietly, pen in her hand. Watching every move of the teacher, listening to every word slip off her tongue. Grateful for this education, this day seems to be one for learning. As every moment passes, she starts to feel weary. In a flash everything changes, she’s caught in the futility of a war.
In a country where sons are often favoured over daughters, Fundasaun Alola is weaving change.
Almost two decades ago, Arezo Younes was granted refugee status in Australia after escaping the Taliban regime with her mother and three brothers. Since then, she has become a prominent voice for Afghan women around the world and hopes to educate others about the challenges that immigrants face.