Preview of the first few days

My journey to and through Australia begins today. I board my first flight at 2:30pm today and then have two more flights to our final destination, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

Our team’s first few days include our flights, adjusting to the time change, followed by a two-day trip to Dili, Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste is a small island nation a short flight away over the Timor Sea. I personally am not very familiar with this country and am looking forward to learning about their people, the country’s economy, history and anything else the hosts will share with us.

In particular I am interested to hear how a small island nation works to create and maintain a sustainable economy. A couple of our visits while in Dili will include conversations with a leader of a local clinic and a representative of a social enterprise.

The social enterprise, SOLS 24/7, is a solar energy company which designs, builds, and maintain solar energy systems. The company dedicates 80% of its net profits to educating underserved communities. We’ll be hearing from the Deputy Director of SOLS 24/7 in Timor-Leste. SOLS 24/7 works with 3,000 in 47 branches in the country.  (http://www.sols247.org/)

I’m curious to learn if the social enterprise trains underserved communities for jobs with the company. Does it install solar energy systems in communities lacking other energy infrastructure? What’s the scale of the operation – is it a multi-million dollar enterprise? A billion dollar enterprise? How are civic leaders engaged in determining where the company directs its purpose-driven activities?

Lastly, I do know Timor-Leste has had a long journey to independence. I’m looking forward to our visit to the Timorese Resistance Archive & Museum, and humbly hearing and learning about Timor-Leste struggle for independence and democracy. (http://amrtimor.org/amrt/index.php?lingua=en)