ACbit – Chega! Ba Ita Learning from the Past, for A Better Future
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Survivor groups have been established as safe spaces where survivors can empower each other and engage in small-scale business activities (micro-enterprises) to support their families economically. With ongoing support from ACbit, survivor groups have been successfully formed in the municipalities of Lautém, Baucau, Ainaro, Bobonaro, Oecusse, Covalima, and Viqueque.
These groups have carried out various activities such as saving and lending money, tais weaving, sewing, raising animals, selling goods, and practicing permaculture. However, one of the common challenges faced by survivors is the lack of leadership capacity in organization, administration, and group management. To strengthen these groups and help them carry out their activities successfully and sustainably, ACbit’s Community Organizer (CO) began working in early March and has since been closely accompanying survivor groups in Bibileo and Kraras, Viqueque. The CO is supporting the Grupu Habelun Hamaluk Feto Maluk to reorganize its members, resume group activities, and engage young people to work alongside the group.
Fernanda, the secretary of Grupu Habelun Hamaluk Feto Maluk, shared: “At the beginning, our group carried out many activities such as saving and lending money, planting vegetables, raising animals, sewing, and tais weaving. But these activities stopped because we were not well organized. With the presence of Hermen from ACbit, we’ve managed to reorganize ourselves and resume activities in permaculture, sewing, and tais weaving, and have also expanded artisanal activities for young people.”
Rozita added:“Through permaculture, we also learned how to make organic pesticides, which has helped me a lot to control pests that were damaging the crops I planted.”
Brandão, said: “I’m happy that Maun Hermen came and taught us how to make artisanal crafts using waste materials and turn them into products with economic value.”
According to Hermen, ACbit’s Community Organizer: “Our presence is focused on strengthening the group’s existing activities and continuously encouraging them to use the resources they have to develop their initiatives, generate income, and sustain their livelihoods.”
Similar activities were previously carried out by ACbit with survivor groups in Mauchiga – Ainaro, and will continue with other survivor groups in additional municipalities. This initiative is supported by Misereor.
