Alola Foundation

13/10/2025

Kirsty Sword Gusmão, AO: The HALIKU/Alola Women's Cancer Support Centre is open for business and helping to ensure that women from across Timor-Leste have access to diagnostic and treatment services. You can donate via Alola Australia
Tax deductible donation link: https://www.alola.org.au/get-involved/make-a-donation/

Obrigada barak and Happy Pink October

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October is a special month globally dedicated to raising awareness of Breast Cancer. Globally, breast cancer and other cancers are categorized as life-threatening diseases, regardless of gender, age, education level, or social status. 'Pink October' is not only a celebration to raise public awareness about breast cancer, but also a time to gather commitment to support those suffering from this disease.

"Often, breast cancer cases that come to the National Hospital arrive at an advanced stage; 50 percent of all hospitalized patients are already in the final stage and can only be provided with palliative care," explained Dr. João Teodosio, President of the National Cancer Institute (KNKTL) and Clinical Oncologist at the National Cancer Institute (HNGV).

As a universal symbol for October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, pink represents love. It symbolizes the spirit of friendship, harmony, and peace from the heart. For the first time, this symbol was used in the United States to draw attention to the importance of early breast cancer detection.

In Timor-Leste, three women, Mana Kirsty Sword Gusmao, Mana Isabel Fernandes de Lima, and Sister Lita Gomes FMA, have become an inspiration in the fight against women's cancer. Through their dedication over 10 years, thousands of women have become informed, received public education, and begun practicing early detection to save their lives from breast cancer. As breast cancer survivors, each of them has endured a painful journey, from the shocking and exhausting diagnosis and treatment to recovery, and these experiences have made them strong and determined.

"Today, February 14th, I wear white and black. "The color black symbolizes mourning for those who have died from cancer, and the color white symbolizes hope for healing, and hope for a better and healthier future for all," said Sister Angelita Gomes, FMA, at the first HALIKU meeting in 2014.

Through one meeting, these three survivors decided they had to do more to ensure that no other woman faces the same tragic situation they did. They also believe that public education is key to changing the mindset of other women that breast cancer is not destiny, but can be prevented through early detection and a healthy lifestyle. From this meeting, they began a small group called "Hau Hili Atu Kura" or HALIKU (I Choose to Heal).

Founded with the primary goal of providing public education about women's cancers, HALIKU has become a unique organization in Timor-Leste dedicated not only to raising awareness about cancer symptoms but also to educating the community about early prevention, counseling, and providing material, spiritual, and moral support to women affected by cancer.

"If we want to save lives, save futures, and To save the family, we must go to the nearest health facility. "We cannot rely solely on traditional medicine because it is only complementary," explained Kirsty Gusmao while participating in the first HALIKU discussion several years ago.

As a non-communicable disease, according to global data, cancer kills nearly 8 million people every year, and of these, approximately 4 million die between the ages of 30 and 69. The HALIKU team and the Timor-Leste National Breast Cancer Commission (KNKPTL) collaborate with other institutions to continue community interventions by sharing information and providing referrals to HNGV. By the end of 2024, HALIKU had educated and empowered more than 37,000 beneficiaries. In addition to education, HALIKU had also helped identify and refer 268 patients to HNGV.

Fundasaun Alola, a civil society organization with a 24-year history in Timor-Leste, is delighted with the success of HALIKU. Alola is also proud to realize its commitment to dignity, equality, and solidarity in the care of women with cancer by establishing a Women's Cancer Support Center.

"The Women's Cancer Support Center is an initiative that reflects our collective commitment to dignity, equality, and solidarity in the care of women in Timor-Leste, contributing to the principle of health for all and leaving no one behind," said Fundasaun Alola's Executive Director, Maria Guterres at the recent inauguration ceremony of the Women's Cancer Support Center.

With support from the Embassy of Japan in Timor-Leste and the Esperansa Timor Oan (ETO) Group, the newly established Women's Cancer Support Center will support and accommodate low-income patients in need of housing during and after treatment at the Guido Valadares National Hospital (HNGV) in Dili. The center's activities are based on three main principles: safety, accessibility, and cultural sensitivity, with an inclusive design to ensure the center is not only functional but also provides inclusive value by not discriminating against female cancer patients with physical disabilities.

"HAu Hili atu Kura," or HALIKU, is not only a group that provides care for fellow women with cancer, but also serves as an inspiration for a movement to save lives from the risk of cancer. With strong love, three breast cancer survivors—Mana Kirsty Sword Gusmao, Mana Isabel Fernandes De Lima, and Madre Lita Gomes, FMA—tirelessly share their painful experiences during their battle with cancer to provide light and hope to other women. Their love serves as a pillar of hope, continuing to spread the message to the public that cancer is a chapter, not the entire story of a woman's life.

"Our life is an extraordinary gift from God; it is important for us to know how to care for it, how to treat it, and how to address this disease," said Madre Angelita Gomes, FMA, who is also the Director of the Don Bosco Community in Timor-Leste.

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HALIKU (Hau Hili Atu Kura), a cancer education and support program for women in Timor-Leste, was founded in February 2014 by Kirsty Sword Gusmão, founder of Fundasaun Alola and a breast cancer survivor. On March 7, 2014, HALIKU was inaugurated by the Minister of Health, Dr. Sergio Lobo, at the Dili Convention Center (CCD). Kirsty Sword Gusmão, along with other cancer survivors such as Mrs. Isabel Fernandes de Lima and Sister Angelita Gomes, inspired the formation of this group.

In 2016, HALIKU was integrated into Fundasaun Alola and became a subprogram within the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) program. HALIKU's goal is to increase women's knowledge about the prevention, early detection, and treatment of women's cancers, as well as to facilitate referrals.

HALIKU is also a member of the Timor-Leste National Breast Cancer Committee, based at the National Hospital, and has become a member of the Southeast Asia Breast Cancer Network and the International Union for Cancer Control in 2018.

Secretaria de Estado da Igualdade-SEI Palácio das Cinzas Alola Australia Presidência da República Democrática de Timor-Leste UN Women Timor-Leste União Europeia em Timor-Leste Breast Cancer Awareness by GreaterGood Cancer Support Community Hong Kong Cancer Fund | 香港癌症基金會 Breast Cancer Now Bill Gates Cancer Society Auckland Northland

02/10/2025

As one of Timor-Leste's representatives participating in the ASEAN for the Peoples Conference 2025, the Alola Foundation, represented by Executive Director Maria Guterres, will share its experience in strengthening women's voices in the region. The regional event, which will take place from October 4-5, 2025, in Jakarta, will bring together hundreds of Southeast Asian civil society organizations. This will be an opportunity to share experiences and learn from the successes achieved by various civil society organizations. Feel the ASEAN vibe, get connected, and be inspired. Bring the spirit of to audiences across Southeast Asia.

01/10/2025

LIGHT IN THE SHADOWS: A STORY OF THREE SURVIVORS AND A "NEW HOPE" TO SAVE LIVES FROM THE DANGER OF BREAST CANCER - Happy

October is a special month globally dedicated to raising awareness of Breast Cancer. Globally, breast cancer and other cancers are categorized as life-threatening diseases, regardless of gender, age, education level, or social status. 'Pink October' is not only a celebration to raise public awareness about breast cancer, but also a time to gather commitment to support those suffering from this disease.

"Often, breast cancer cases that come to the National Hospital arrive at an advanced stage; 50 percent of all hospitalized patients are already in the final stage and can only be provided with palliative care," explained Dr. João Teodosio, President of the National Cancer Institute (KNKTL) and Clinical Oncologist at the National Cancer Institute (HNGV).

As a universal symbol for October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, pink represents love. It symbolizes the spirit of friendship, harmony, and peace from the heart. For the first time, this symbol was used in the United States to draw attention to the importance of early breast cancer detection.

In Timor-Leste, three women, Mana Kirsty Sword Gusmao, Mana Isabel Fernandes de Lima, and Sister Lita Gomes FMA, have become an inspiration in the fight against women's cancer. Through their dedication over 10 years, thousands of women have become informed, received public education, and begun practicing early detection to save their lives from breast cancer. As breast cancer survivors, each of them has endured a painful journey, from the shocking and exhausting diagnosis and treatment to recovery, and these experiences have made them strong and determined.

"Today, February 14th, I wear white and black. "The color black symbolizes mourning for those who have died from cancer, and the color white symbolizes hope for healing, and hope for a better and healthier future for all," said Sister Angelita Gomes, FMA, at the first HALIKU meeting in 2014.

Through one meeting, these three survivors decided they had to do more to ensure that no other woman faces the same tragic situation they did. They also believe that public education is key to changing the mindset of other women that breast cancer is not destiny, but can be prevented through early detection and a healthy lifestyle. From this meeting, they began a small group called "Hau Hili Atu Kura" or HALIKU (I Choose to Heal).

Founded with the primary goal of providing public education about women's cancers, HALIKU has become a unique organization in Timor-Leste dedicated not only to raising awareness about cancer symptoms but also to educating the community about early prevention, counseling, and providing material, spiritual, and moral support to women affected by cancer.

"If we want to save lives, save futures, and To save the family, we must go to the nearest health facility. "We cannot rely solely on traditional medicine because it is only complementary," explained Kirsty Gusmao while participating in the first HALIKU discussion several years ago.

As a non-communicable disease, according to global data, cancer kills nearly 8 million people every year, and of these, approximately 4 million die between the ages of 30 and 69. The HALIKU team and the Timor-Leste National Breast Cancer Commission (KNKPTL) collaborate with other institutions to continue community interventions by sharing information and providing referrals to HNGV. By the end of 2024, HALIKU had educated and empowered more than 37,000 beneficiaries. In addition to education, HALIKU had also helped identify and refer 268 patients to HNGV.
Fundasaun Alola, a civil society organization with a 24-year history in Timor-Leste, is delighted with the success of HALIKU. Alola is also proud to realize its commitment to dignity, equality, and solidarity in the care of women with cancer by establishing a Women's Cancer Support Center.

"The Women's Cancer Support Center is an initiative that reflects our collective commitment to dignity, equality, and solidarity in the care of women in Timor-Leste, contributing to the principle of health for all and leaving no one behind," said Fundasaun Alola's Executive Director, Maria Guterres at the recent inauguration ceremony of the Women's Cancer Support Center.

With support from the Embassy of Japan in Timor-Leste and the Esperansa Timor Oan (ETO) Group, the newly established Women's Cancer Support Center will support and accommodate low-income patients in need of housing during and after treatment at the Guido Valadares National Hospital (HNGV) in Dili. The center's activities are based on three main principles: safety, accessibility, and cultural sensitivity, with an inclusive design to ensure the center is not only functional but also provides inclusive value by not discriminating against female cancer patients with physical disabilities.

"HAu Hili atu Kura," or HALIKU, is not only a group that provides care for fellow women with cancer, but also serves as an inspiration for a movement to save lives from the risk of cancer. With strong love, three breast cancer survivors—Mana Kirsty Sword Gusmao, Mana Isabel Fernandes De Lima, and Madre Lita Gomes, FMA—tirelessly share their painful experiences during their battle with cancer to provide light and hope to other women. Their love serves as a pillar of hope, continuing to spread the message to the public that cancer is a chapter, not the entire story of a woman's life.

"Our life is an extraordinary gift from God; it is important for us to know how to care for it, how to treat it, and how to address this disease," said Madre Angelita Gomes, FMA, who is also the Director of the Don Bosco Community in Timor-Leste.

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HALIKU (Hau Hili Atu Kura), a cancer education and support program for women in Timor-Leste, was founded in February 2014 by Kirsty Sword Gusmão, founder of Fundasaun Alola and a breast cancer survivor. On March 7, 2014, HALIKU was inaugurated by the Minister of Health, Dr. Sergio Lobo, at the Dili Convention Center (CCD). Kirsty Sword Gusmão, along with other cancer survivors such as Mrs. Isabel Fernandes de Lima and Sister Angelita Gomes, inspired the formation of this group.

In 2016, HALIKU was integrated into Fundasaun Alola and became a subprogram within the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) program. HALIKU's goal is to increase women's knowledge about the prevention, early detection, and treatment of women's cancers, as well as to facilitate referrals.

HALIKU is also a member of the Timor-Leste National Breast Cancer Committee, based at the National Hospital, and has become a member of the Southeast Asia Breast Cancer Network and the International Union for Cancer Control in 2018.

Secretaria de Estado da Igualdade-SEI Presidência da República Democrática de Timor-Leste Palácio das Cinzas Alola Australia UN Women Timor-Leste União Europeia em Timor-Leste Embassy of Japan in Timor-Leste Alola Australia

15/09/2025

15/09/2025

𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐊𝐍𝐊𝐒𝐓𝐋, 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐔 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐓𝐒 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐍 𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐁𝐎 𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇 𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑.

(Alola Media/Bobonaro) On Thursday, September 11th, the Alola Foundation, through HALIKU team, in collaboration with the Timor-Leste National Breast Cancer Commission (KNKSTL) and the Australian Specialist Cancer Nurses-Australia, continued its training program to train local healthcare workers, specifically in wound management for breast cancer patients.

After completing the training for healthcare workers at the Babonaro Community Health Center, a joint team from three institutions continued a series of similar training sessions for healthcare workers at the Balibo Community Health Center. This training aimed to strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers, especially those at the Community Health Center level, to identify breast cancer cases and manage breast cancer-related wounds.
Opening with remarks from the Executive Director of the Alola Foundation, Ms. Maria Guterres, accompanied by the Head of the Balibo Community Health Center, Mr. Zacarias Fernandes, the training, held in the NIFAS room at the Balibo Community Health Center, brought hope for improved healthcare services for breast cancer patients.

In the first session, Dr. João Teodosio Amaral, a Medical Oncologist at the Guido Valadares National Hospital (HNGV) and President of the Timor-Leste National Breast Cancer Commission, gave a presentation on breast cancer prevention and treatment.

In the next session, facilitated by Australian Specialist Cancer Nurses team consisting of registered nurses Joanne Catherine Lovelock and Rosemary Katrina Gillies, participants listened to an in-depth presentation on how to care for breast cancer wounds.
"When breast cancer patients present at an advanced stage, they are already stressed and under pressure, so to help them recover, we first help them gain confidence," said facilitator Joanne Catherine Lovelock of the Australian Specialist Cancer Nurses-Australia.

Breast cancer can cause various complications, including open sores on the breast that appear when cancer cells grow and damage surrounding tissue. These sores are not only painful but can also increase the risk of infection if not treated properly. Therefore, proper breast wound care is crucial to ensure patient comfort and maintain their quality of life.

As a non-communicable disease, cancer kills nearly 8 million people each year, according to global data. Of these, approximately 4 million die between the ages of 30 and 69. This reality is one of the reasons why HALIKU has remained committed for over 11 years to providing advice, material, spiritual, and moral support to women with cancer.

"I want to choose to be cured because I want to give others a life full of hope," said Sister Angelita Gomes, FMA, a cancer survivor and one of HALIKU's founders.

Founded with the primary goal of educating the public about women's cancers, HALIKU, or "I choose to be cured," is a unique organization in Timor-Leste dedicated not only to raising awareness about cancer symptoms but also to educating the public on early breast cancer prevention and treatment.

"If we want to save our lives, our futures, and our families, we must go to the nearest health facility, not just rely on traditional medicine," explained Kirsty Sword Gusmão while participating in the first HALIKU discussion 11 years ago.

Over the years, the HALIKU team has conducted various activities to educate the public, including students and institutions, about the symptoms of breast cancer, the risk factors that contribute to its spread, and to educate fellow women about early detection through physical examinations, including encouraging them to immediately detect symptoms as explained by the team.

Photo

15/09/2025

ALOLA SIMU VIZITA HUSI EKIPA AUSTRALIA VOLUNTEERS INTERNATIONAL.
(TT | Eng |PT)

(AlolaMedia/Dili) Simu pesoalmente husi Diretora Ezekutiva Fundasaun Alola, Sra. Maria Guterres, vizita husi delegasaun Internasionál Voluntáriu Austrália nian nu’udar momentu amizade ida ne’ebé hametin relasaun entre komunidade Austrália ho Timor-Leste, liuliu família Fundasaun Alola. Vizita delegasaun AVI nian iha loron 10 fulan Setembru nu’udar vizita dahuluk ba Fundasaun Alola no fó oportunidade atu fó vizaun jerál komprensivu kona-ba programa sira Alola nian ba voluntáriu foun sira ne’ebé sei serbí iha Timor-Leste ho bandeira AVI-Austrália.

Maizumenus oras ida nia laran, Diretora Maria Guterres aprezenta kona-ba Fundasaun Alola no programa xave balun ne’ebé nia implementa. Voluntáriu AVI na’in neen ne’e rona ho atensaun hodi hatene kona-ba situasaun feto no labarik sira iha Timor-Leste. Kuriozidade kona-ba asuntu sira-ne’e hamosu pergunta lubuk ida durante enkontru badak ne’ebé hala’o iha salaun enkontru HALIKU.
Tuir enkontru ne’e, Diretor Ezekutivu Alola lori delegasaun AVI hala’o vizita ba Alola nia fasilidade no atividade programa.

Programa Voluntáriu Austrália nian hala'o papél ida ne'ebé importante tebes la'ós de'it iha nasaun Austrália maibé mós iha rai-li'ur. Iha nivel Internasionál, programa ne’ebé finansia hosi Governu Austrália tulun ona nasaun parseiru sira, partikularmente iha rejiaun Ázia-Pasífiku, hodi haruka voluntáriu profisionál sira fahe sira nia abilidade no hametin kapasidade iha setór oioin hanesan edukasaun, saúde, agrikultura, no seluk tan. Australianu sira ne'ebé partisipa iha programa ida-ne'e dedikadu atu fó impaktu pozitivu ba komunidade alvu sira, esplora esperiénsia foun sira, no harii ligasaun sosiál sira ne'ebé amigavel. Sira nia kompromisu hatudu paixaun maka'as atu kontribui ba sosiedade.

Fundasaun Alola rasik kleur ona sai organizasaun sosiedade sivíl ne’ebé hetan benefísiu hosi kontribuisaun hosi serbisu voluntáriu Australianu sira hodi hametin Fundasaun nia kapasidade iha setór oioin, hahú hosi instituisaun sira to’o esforsu advokasia, inklui dezenvolvimentu ekonómiku feto nian. Prezensa delegasaun AVI nian iha eskritóriu Alola nian iha semana ne’e la’ós de’it hametin amizade hirak ne’e maibé sai mós hanesan ponte ba kolaborasaun ne’ebé boot liután iha futuru.

Dala ida tan, ami hato'o ami nia apresiasaun klean ba delegasaun AVI ne'ebé fó tempu hodi mai aprende kona-ba Alola. Ami hein katak informasaun ne’ebé ami hato’o sai útil ba sira-nia serbisu iha Timor-Leste.
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Welcomed personally by the Executive Director of the Alola Foundation, Ms. Maria Guterres, the visit of the Australian Volunteer International (AVI) delegation was a moment of friendship that strengthened the relationship between the Australian community and Timor-Leste, especially the Alola Foundation family. The AVI delegation's visit on September 10th was the first for the Alola Foundation and provided an opportunity to provide a comprehensive overview of Alola's programs to the new volunteers who will be serving in Timor-Leste under the AVI-Australia banner.
For approximately an hour, Director Maria Guterres presented about the Alola Foundation and several key programs it implements. The six AVI volunteers listened attentively to learn about the situation of women and children in Timor-Leste. Curiosity about these issues led to numerous questions during the brief meeting held in the HALIKU meeting room.

Following the meeting, the Executive Director of Alola took the AVI delegation on a tour of Alola's facilities and program activities.
The Australian Volunteers International Program plays a vital role not only in Australia but also abroad. Internationally, the Australian Government-funded program has assisted partner countries, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, by sending professional volunteers to share skills and strengthen capacity in various sectors such as education, health, agriculture, and others. Australians participating in this program are dedicated to making a positive impact on target communities, exploring new experiences, and building friendly social connections. Their commitment demonstrates a strong passion for contributing to society.

The Alola Foundation itself has long been a civil society organization, benefiting from contributions from Australian volunteers who work to strengthen the Foundation's capacity in various sectors, from institutions to advocacy efforts, including women's economic development. The presence of the AVI delegation at the Alola office this week will not only strengthen these friendships but also serve as a bridge for even greater collaboration in the future.

Once again, we extend our deepest appreciation to the AVI delegation for taking the time to come and learn about Alola. We hope that the information we provided will be useful in their work in Timor-Leste.

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Recebida pessoalmente pela Diretora Executiva da Fundação Alola, Sra. Maria Guterres, a visita da delegação da Australian Volunteer International foi um momento de amizade que fortaleceu a relação entre a comunidade australiana e Timor-Leste, especialmente a família da Fundação Alola. A visita da delegação da AVI no dia 10 de Setembro foi a primeira da Fundação Alola e proporcionou uma oportunidade para apresentar uma visão geral abrangente dos programas da Alola aos novos voluntários que irão servir em Timor-Leste sob a bandeira da AVI-Austrália.

Aproximadamente uma hora, a Diretora Maria Guterres apresentou a Fundação Alola e vários programas importantes que esta implementa. Os seis voluntários da AVI ouviram atentamente para se inteirarem da situação das mulheres e crianças em Timor-Leste. A curiosidade sobre estas questões levou a inúmeras questões durante o breve encontro realizado na sala de reuniões da HALIKU.
Após a reunião, a Diretora Executiva da Alola levou a delegação da AVI numa visita às instalações e atividades do programa da Alola.
O Programa de Voluntários Australianos desempenha um papel vital não só na Austrália, mas também no estrangeiro.
Internacionalmente, o programa, financiado pelo governo australiano, tem auxiliado os países parceiros, particularmente na região da Ásia-Pacífico, enviando voluntários profissionais para partilhar competências e reforçar a capacidade em diversos setores, como a educação, a saúde, a agricultura e outros. Os australianos que participam neste programa dedicam-se a causar um impacto positivo nas comunidades-alvo, explorando novas experiências e construindo ligações sociais amigáveis. O seu empenho demonstra uma forte paixão por contribuir para a sociedade.

A Fundação Alola é, desde há muito, uma organização da sociedade civil, beneficiando dos contributos de voluntários australianos que trabalham para reforçar a capacidade da Fundação em diversos sectores, desde instituições a esforços de advocacia, incluindo o desenvolvimento económico das mulheres. A presença da delegação da AVI no escritório da Alola esta semana não só irá fortalecer estas amizades, como também servirá de ponte para uma colaboração ainda maior no futuro.

Mais uma vez, expressamos o nosso profundo agradecimento à delegação da AVI por ter dedicado o seu tempo para vir e aprender sobre a Alola. Esperamos que as informações fornecidas sejam úteis no seu trabalho em Timor-Leste.

08/09/2025

𝑺𝑬𝑹𝑬𝑴𝑶𝑵𝑰𝑨 𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑮𝑼𝑹𝑨𝑺𝑨𝑼𝑵 𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑹𝑼 𝑨𝑷𝑶𝑰𝑶 𝑲𝑨𝑵𝑲𝑹𝑼 𝑭𝑬𝑻𝑶, 𝑯𝑨𝑳𝑰𝑲𝑼 -𝑨𝑳𝑶𝑳𝑨, 𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑻𝑨, 4 𝑺𝑬𝑻𝑬𝑴𝑩𝑹𝑼 2025.

(Alola Media/Dili) Fundasaun Alola nu’udar organizasaun sosiedade sivíl ne'ebé eziste tinan 24 iha Timor-Leste kontente tebes ho susesu ne'ebé hetan inklui iha área Saude nian. Harii iha tinan 11 liubá, HALIKU, sub-programa ida iha programa Saude Inan no Oan fó ona nia dedikasaun la’ós de’it atu sosializa sintoma hosi moras kankru feto iha komunidade nia leet maibé mós fó konsellu, apoiu materiál, apoiu espirituál no morál bá feto ne’ebé afeta hosi moras kankru. To’o tinan 2024 nia rohan, HALIKU eduka no kapasita ona benefisiáriu ho totál hamutuk rihun 37 resin. Aleinde edukasaun, durante ne'e HALIKU mós ajuda identifika no refere ona pasiente hamutuk na’in atus rua neen nulu resin ualu (268) bá iha HNGV.

Ho apoiu hosi Embaxada Japaun no ETO Group, iha tinan 2024 Fundasaun Alola konstrui Sentru Apoiu bá Moras Kankru Feto ne’ebé agora dadaun remata ninia konstrusaun. Sentru ne’e rasik sei suporta no sei akomoda pasiente kbiit-laek sira ne'ebé presiza fatin bainhira hala'o tratamentu no depois hetan tratamentu iha HNGV Dili. Diretóra Ezekutiva Fundasaun Alola, Sra Maria Guterres durante serimónia esplika katak Sentru Apoiu ba Kankru feto ne'ebé inaugura nu'udar parte integradu ida husi programa Ha’u Hili Atu Kura ne'ebé mak fó asisténsia ba pasiente moras kankru feto ba iha edukasaun no hasa’e konsiénsia kona-ba deteksaun sedu, apoiu tratamentu no suporta referral ba fasilidade saúde.

“Sentru Apoiu ba Kankru feto nu’udar inisiativa ida ne’ebé reflete ami nia kompromisu koletivu ba dignidade, ekuidade, no solidariedade iha atendimentu ba feto sira iha Timor-Leste ne'ebé kontribui ba prinsípiu saúde ba ema hotu no la husik ema ida iha kotuk”, hato’o Diretora Ezekutiva Fundasaun Alola.

Sra. Maria Guterres mós subliña katak prosesu konstrusaun ba Sentru Apoiu ba Kankru feto hahú iha fulan Outubru tinan kotuk liubá no kompleta iha fulan Junu 2025. Obra husi sentru ne’e rasik hahú ho prinsípiu sentrál tolu: seguransa, asesibilidade, no sensibilidade kulturál ho dezeñu inkluzivu hodi asegura katak sentru ida-ne'e la'ós de'it funsiona maibé mós fó valór inkluzivu hodi la halo diskriminasaun ba pasiente kankru feto ne'ebé ho defisiénsia fíziku.

“Sentru ida-ne'e, harii iha Fundasaun Alola nia lideransa no ho totál orsamentu hamutuk Dolares Americanu $124,680 USD ne'ebé mak orsamentu ne’e mai fontes rua mak husi apoiu jenerosidade hosi Governu Japaun, liu husi projetu GGP ho montante orsamentu hamutuk Dolares Americanu US$ 72,680 no kompleta ho apoiu orsamentu husi ETO ho montante hamutuk dolares amerikanu $52,000”, aumenta Diretora Ezekutiva Fundasaun Alola, Sra Maria Guterres.

Hanesan moras la hada'et ida, kada tinan tuir dadus mundiál, moras kankru bele hamate ema kuaze millaun 8 resin no husi númeru ne’e maizumenus ema millaun 4 mate ho idade entre tinan 30 to’o 69. Perigu husi moras kankru hanesan razaun ida HALIKU estabelese tinan 11 liu ba hodi bele fó konsellu, fó apoiu materiál, fó apoia espirituál no morál ba feto ne’ebé afeta husi moras kankru.

“Hau hakarak hili atu kura tanba ha'u hakarak fó moris ba ema seluk, moris nakonu ho esperansa”, haktuir Madre Angelita Gomes, FMA, sobreviventes ida ne'ebé sai fundadóra ida ba HALIKU.

Harii ho objetivu prinsipál atu bele fó edukasaun públiku kona-ba moras kankru feto nian, HALIKU ou “HAu hiLI Atu Kura”, sai organizasaun úniku ida iha Timor-Leste ne'ebé fó dedikasaun tomak la'ós de'it atu sosializa sintoma husi moras kankru maibé mós atu eduka komunidade sira oinsá halo prevensaun sedu husi moras kankru susun no kankru serviks.

“Se ita hakarak salva ita-nia vida, salva ita-nia futuru no salva ita nian família, ita tenke hakat ba fasilidade saúde ne'ebé besik, la bele fiar de'it ba ai-moruk tradisionál tanba ai moruk sira ne’e atu kompleta de'it”, esplika Kirsty Gusmao bainhira partisipa iha primeiru diskusaun HALIKU nian iha tinan hirak liubá.

Durante períodu hirak ne’e atividade lubuk ida ekipa HALIKU realiza hodi eduka komunidade sira inklui estudante sira inklui instituisaun sira kona ba sintoma husi kankru susun, fatores risku hirak ne'ebé kontribui hodi hamosu kankru ne’e, no eduka feto maluk sira oinsá mak halo detesaun sedu liu husi halo prátika ezame fíziku inklui fó korajen ba sira atu ba lalais fasilidade saúde sei karik hetan sintoma tuir ekipa esplika.

Hodi bele prevene husi moras kankru presiza tebes konsiénsia husi komunidade hotu atu mantein hahalok moris saudavel iha sira nia atividade loron-loron liu husi konsume ai-han saudavel, ezersísiu beibeik no halo detesaun sedu nu’udar xave atu bele salva ita-nia vida. Ekipa HALIKU no KNKSTL iha esperansa boot katak informasaun ne'ebé partilla la para iha selebrasaun ne’e de'it maibé bele hatutan filafali ba estudante no membru família seluk.
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HALIKU (Hau Hili Atu Kura)hanesan programa edukasaun no apoiu kankru feto iha Timor-Leste hahú estabelese iha fulan Fevereiru tinan 2014 liubá husi Kirsty Sword Gusmão nu’udar fundadóra Fundasaun Alola no mós sobrevivente moras kankru susun. Iha loron 7 fulan Marsu 2014, HALIKU lansa ofisialmente husi Ministru da Saude, Dr. Sergio Lobo iha Sentru Konvensaun Dili (CCD-sigla iha portugés). Kirsty Sword Gusmao, sobrevivente husi moras kankru hamutuk ho sobrevivente sira seluk mak hanesan Sra. Isabel Fernandes de Lima no Madre Angelita Gomes sai inspirador ba estabelesimentu grupu ida ne’e.

Iha tinan 2016 HALIKU integra ba iha Fundasaun Alola no sai hanesan sub-programa iha programa saúde inan no oan (MCH). Objetivu husi HALIKU atu hasa’e feto sira-nia koñesimentu kona-ba prevensaun, detesaun sedu, tratamentu ba moras kankru feto no mós halo referal.

HALIKU mós sai membru Komité Nasionál Kankru Susun Timor-Leste ne'ebé mak baze iha Ospital Nasionál, no sai ona membru ba iha rede South East Asia Breast Cancer no International Union for Cancer Control iha tinan 2018.

Informasaun kompletu kona-ba HALIKU bele asesu iha : https://www.alolafoundation.org/womens-cancer-raising-awareness

Presidência da República Democrática de Timor-Leste Secretaria de Estado da Igualdade-SEI Alola Australia UNFPA Timor-Leste UN Women Timor-Leste União Europeia em Timor-Leste Palácio das Cinzas ChildFund Timor-Leste