Subject: 'austraLasia' #252
TIMOR: FORMER RECTOR AND BUILDER CONSIDERS THE COST!
via Fr. Julian Sleuter
(Note: the following is the translation of a phone call between Bro. Ephrem
and Fr. Walter Van Wouwe. The latter is presently in Rome; the former is
able to give precise details of damage to Salesian buildings in Dili. Fr.
Walter was the first Rector at Los Palos where he built the Church and the
orphanage. He then went to Comoro (Dili) where he built the Salesian
residence, classrooms, workshops etc there).
The electricity and the carpentry shops were not burned down.The shops for
needlework are intact,as is the gym,the chapel and hall for youth
encounters.But the welding and computer shops were destroyed,especially the
offices.The 4 buildings housing the boarding section are burned down.The U
shaped garage and housing for employes is burned down together with 2 cars.
The of-
fice of the director and telephone office are burned but the rest of the
residence not.But all doors have been broken down and everything that could
be carried has been stolen.Some furniture has been seen "owned" by
neighbours.The house had been evacuated for a period of time. According to
earlier reports everything that not could be carried away (machinery)has
been destroyed. One
electricity line has been repaired,but there is no water as the pumps are
missing. A few confreres (Brs.Evarist and Marsal) are trying to do some
repair work.
According to this phone call not Fr.Wong but Fr.Orlando should be back
in Comoro,while Fr.Wong, the provincial, and Fr.Edmundo should still be in
Kupang with the displaced parishioners. [But I suppose this is a mistake,I
am trying to resolve].
People around Comoro are trickling back.Many are looking for family
members.Most men went hiding in the moutains, while women and children were
deported to Kupang and Atambua.Shops are nowhere to be found.Nothing to buy
even with money. Everybody gets food from the Australian Armed
Service.Priority is now rebuilding houses,before the rainy season starts in
November. No material is available to start real rebuilding. Fr.Julien
Sleuyter.
Nb.Before I could send you this email,Fr.Walter contacted Comoro
again.The
following is what he understood from a bad communication.Fr Wong went back
to
the camp in Kupang where the displaced persons from the Salesian parish
are.This
people is coming back litle by litle. Fr.Orlando is in Comoro, and it seems
that
Fr.Edmundo is still in a camp in Atambua.
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