03/08/2026
❤️ Jesuina Ximenes ❤️
Jesuina grew up in East Timor as the youngest of 9 children. Large families are common there and although life was not easy, she remembers a happy childhood. Her mother supported the family by making and selling traditional dresses so her children could receive an education. Those clothes remain deeply meaningful as a reminder of her mother's sacrifices.
She studied Management Information at university. In 2015 her partner moved to Dungannon for work and in 2017 she made the difficult decision to join him. Leaving her family, especially as the youngest daughter and her baby with her sister was incredibly hard, but low wages and limited opportunities in East Timor meant she wanted a better future. She says "If you want to change your life to get a better one, stand up and keep going." She started work the day after arriving and now works full-time in customer services while raising her family.
In 2019 she returned home and brought her son and mother back, believing they would have a better life and healthcare. She now has settled status. They speak Tetum at home, which is especially important as her mother speaks little English. Family is her priority and she wants her children to have a good education. Although NI is her home now, she misses her family, the food and weather in East Timor. She still cooks traditional food despite some ingredients being unavailable and continues the tradition of hospitality.
She has experienced discrimination because of her skin colour but refuses to let it define her. She knows her worth and works hard to provide for her family. A devoted Catholic, she attends Mass and celebrates Christmas, Independence Day and other holidays.
She loves living in Mid-Ulster, values its people and community. She is grateful for her kids opportunities.
Her Bunga Terate tattoo, a flower like a water lily, reminds her that although life can have tangled roots beneath the surface, we can still thrive and flourish.
Her motto is: "Hu'u feto ida ne'ebe forte, ha'u bele halo ida-ne'e"-"I am a strong woman and I can do it."
To watch her story interview click the link below ✨
https://heritagejourneysni.com/profiles/jesuina-ximenes/
This beautiful portrait was taken by our photographer Divine Photography 📸
