by Euclides Monteiro

06 July 2007

All started with an odd phone call on a sunny day in Maputo-Mozambique; the gentleman on the other side invited me for an assignment with UNV in East Timor, a place where supposedly they spoke Portuguese. “How bad could it be?” I thought to myself.

Somewhat hesitant I accepted the offer and that was the beginning of this unforgettable journey.
The hurdles were endless, cultural and personality differences made it complicated and almost unbearable but we had to soldier on...
 
At a certain point the weather was so bad that the helicopters could not land on the inaccessible areas of beautiful Manufahi district. Time was ticking and our team started to show signs of emotional breakdown and pressure, after all we had worked so hard for the "big" day and that effort was going down the drain; no way we could let that happen, not only for us but for the Timorese in those areas, who have been waiting to exercise their right to choose their leaders.
 
Sacrifices had to be made, risks had to be taken and a team had to go to Turiscai to deliver the materials by road. Needless to say that the road was so bad that even the vehicles started complaining.
 
That night I slept in the car with no warm clothes in a weather where even the locals wear heavy blankets for protection, the moon caressed the gorgeous curves of nature and I felt privileged to be in that situation, though I cursed the stars for watching my pain on a night that seemed to last longer than usual.
 
Got back to Same on E-day and straight back to work. All was smooth but the strenuous effort became extreme due to long shift hours at the counting center, until at long last we felt the sweet taste of success.

We had fulfilled what we came here for. I may be broken physically and emotionally but I get paid everyday by the honest and friendly smiles of the Timorese. They say thank you every time and that boosts my pride, the feeling that we are doing a meaningful job helping the Timorese restore their pride, help achieve what some of us take for granted in our countries like freedom, democracy, peace, social stability just to name a few, and because of us they finally have a chance to get it.
 
To all of you in this mission I say ‘thank you’ for this experience and especially to my team in Manufahi, I am particularly blessed and grateful for your friendship and all you have taught me.
 
Now, whenever you feel down and home sick, think of the needy Timorese population who benefits from your presence here.
 
You are making a difference.
Isn’t that special?