Maubisse

Maubisse is located in the central highlands district of Timor-Leste in the Ainaro district. It is located 73 kilometres south of the capital, Dili, and is 1,400 metres above sea level. Maubisse subdistrict has a population in excess of 20,000 and is the main coffee growing area of the country. Similar to most parts of Timor-Leste, the Maubisse community faces many barriers such as unemployment, limited health and education services, and incomplete transport and communication infrastructure. The typical Maubisse resident is a member of a subsistence farming family with limited income and accommodation. There have been improvements in recent years; however there is still limited access to electricity, running water and transport.

BMFC members

All members of the BMFC are volunteers. Those that travel to Maubisse to work as part of project teams or to attend the biennial friendship consultations do so at their own expense by paying for their own airfares and associated travel costs. An enormous contribution has been made from both the committee and the Bendigo community; over 50 project teams equates to many volunteers who have paid their way and contributed their own time as volunteers.