And that’s a wrap on AIDN’s 2026 Timor-Leste Insight Tour co-hosted with The Good Business Foundation! 🌍
AIDN’s Insight Tours give engaged funders an in-depth insight into the work of a variety of NGOs working in different sectors, and their operating context, with a particular focus on locally-led organisations.
On this Tour, 8 delegates were joined by AIDN hosts, Julie Rosenberg and Linda Fox, as well as Peter McMullin AM and Stuart Mkojera-Thomson from The Good Business Foundation, for eight days across one of Australia’s closest neighbours: Timor-Leste.
On day 1, to settle in and allow our guests to gain insight into the context of Timor-Leste, the group went to Pro-EMA Restaurant for dinner and heard from Josh Francis, Fiona Hamilton, Anas Madeira and Xian Warner.
Day 2 kicked off with two site visits in Dili:
👉 First off was a site visit to Maluk Timor to learn about their health strengthening programs.
👉 The team were then welcomed to learn more about PRADET – Psychosocial Recovery and Development in East Timor.
On Day 3 in Dili:
👉 The group had the opportunity to visit Mary MacKillop Today’s education programs.
👉 That afternoon, they gained an on-the-ground insight into the Elimination Partnership in Cervical Cancer (EPICC).
👉 The afternoon also included an informative meeting with Catalpa International, before finishing the day at a networking event spotlighting The Good Business Foundation’s female founders program.
Day 4 in Dili:
👉 The day began with a visit to the proudly Timorese Caltech Group of Companies headquarters.
👉 This was followed by a warm welcome at the alola foundation.
👉 The group then had the incredible opportunity to have lunch with Timor-Leste President and Nobel Peace Prize awardee José Ramos-Horta.
👉 After lunch, we fit in one more site visit to Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR) to hear how they are strengthening human rights across the Asia-Pacific.
Day 5 continued the immersive journey, this time just outside of in Dili to Tasi Toli and Liquiçá with a powerful lineup of site visits and a special evening reception:
👉The morning began with Classroom of Hope who are expanding access to safe and sustainable schools and learning environments.
👉There was a bit of time to explore the area of Liquiçá before heading to Rai Matak to learn about their approach to community-led social and economic development through regeneration and innovation.
👉The afternoon concluded with an engaging visit to Educating The Future before heading back to Dili.
👉The group then wrapped up a massive day of learning with a dinner reception hosted by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Day 6 brought an action-packed schedule:
👉 The day kicked off with an incredible morning Showcase Session featuring insights and knowledge sharing from an amazing lineup of organisations: alola foundation, Asisténsia Legál ba Feto no Labarik (ALFeLa), Ba Futuru/For The Future, BETTER (Building East Timor Through Education & Resources), Blue Ventures Timor Leste, CARE, Caritas Australia, Casa Vida, ChildFund Australia, Classroom of Hope, Educating The Future, Engineers Without Borders Australia in Timor-Leste, EPICC Timor-Leste (Elimination Partnership in Cervical Cancer), Estrela Plus, Rai Matak, Foundation Reloka, TasiFest Foundation, HAMNASA – Hamutuk Nasaun Saudavel, Laudato Si’ Movement Timor-Leste, Many Hands One Nation (MAHON) Foundation, Mary MacKillop Today, Menzies Timor-Leste, Movimentu Feto Foin Sa’e Timor-Leste (MOFFE-TL), Oxfam in Timor-Leste, Permatil Global, Positive Change for Marine Life, SolarBuddy, TLCE, University of Sydney, World Vision Timor-Leste, and the Xanana Gusmão Reading Room.
👉 The group then took a short 15 minute flight from Dili to Atauro Island with Mission Aviation Fellowship MAF International – we thank them for their partnership and for showcasing their life saving work to us.
👉 That afternoon featured a great site visit to SPEND IT WELL followed by a tour to various community-led development organisations on Atauro Island, hosted by Fiona Hamilton.
👉 The day wrapped up with a wonderful dinner alongside Barry (owner of Barry’s Place where the group stayed) and our pilot Ping from Mission Aviation Fellowship.
Day 7 wrapped up the Atauro island stay and brought the journey full circle back to Dili:
👉 The morning featured an insightful site visit with the The Leprosy Mission International.
👉 The group then took the short flight back to Dili with MAF International to wrap up the trip.
👉 In the afternoon, they learned more about Timor-Leste’s fight for independence at the Resistance Museum.
👉 That evening, everyone celebrated an incredible week together with a final group dinner at the Beachside Hotel.
Day 8 marked the final morning of the trip:
👉 The day began with a scenic 1.5km morning walk up to the iconic Cristo Rei of Dili (Christ the King of Dili) statue situated atop a globe at Fatucama, followed by a relaxing breakfast on the beach.
👉 Some of the group took part in a Timorese cooking class – yum! Before everyone headed to the airport for departure.
We sincerely thank the local leaders and representatives of these organisations who generously shared their work, passion, and insights with us. We also extend our gratitude to Intrepid Travel, AIDN’s key operations partner for Insight Tours, in addition to AIDN’s Emily Umbers.
Finally, thank you to our Insight Tour guests for their energy and enthusiasm to always learn more, including: Brendan O’Brien, Leonie Bell, Laura Byrne, Michiyo Yamada, Nani McMullin, and Thomas Seddon.
