At a morning tea after our village weekly Mass, I mentioned to Fr. Phuong, the Assistant Priest at St Francis Xavier Parish, Box Hill, that Helen and I had recently returned from Timor-Leste.

Fr Phuong pricked up his ears and wanted to know more about the reasons for our visit.  I told him about the history of the establishment of Klibur Domin by Ryder-Cheshire Australia in 2000 and its impressive development in the succeeding years.

I also mentioned that, during our recent visit, Klibur Domin had been presented with the Medal of the Order of Timor-Leste by President Jose Ramos Horta for its exceptional contribution to the health and wellbeing of the Timorese people.

Shortly after this conversation, I received a phone call from Fr Phuong with an invitation to meet the Parish Priest and several other Parish staff.  They had already seen the excellent video made by Joaquim Soares on Klibur Domin and were keen that I should talk to parishioners at a special Mass on 1st September.

This resulted in nearly $600 in donations for Klibur Domin from the St Francis Xavier parishioners.

The Parish holds these special Masses on a monthly basis and intends contributing the plate donations to Ryder-Cheshire Australia for Klibur Domin every second month.

Fr Phuong spread the message about the good work at Klibur Domin more widely among his friends, one of whom is now making regular substantial donations to Ryder-Cheshire for Klibur Domin.

So, a chance comment has borne fruit in providing much needed support for Klibur Domin.

Peter Newton