Many Hands farewells long standing volunteer Lucia Pichler

This month Many Hands farewells longstanding Australian volunteer Lucia Pichler who has lived and worked in Lospalos, Timor-Leste for almost three years.  During that time, Many Hands achieved much, including activation of the Lautem Cultural Centre, with the first community programs being established, documentation of the endangered cultural heritage of the Fataluku people, creative inspiration for young people through our youth arts program, and much professional skill development of our staff and colleagues in Timor-Leste. We have also been successful in establishing the National Alliance of Tobacco Prevention led by our staff member Thomas Lopes. 

Lucia was fundamental to all that achievement, through her steady professional and respectful support of our staff and the wider community in Lautem.  She was assisted by many other volunteers who worked with MHI during that time, including Amy Stevenson, James Nash and Tim Ballagh. MHI thanks Scope Global and the people of Australia for Lucia's volunteer position that enabled her to live and work well supported by a professional team, led very ably by Naomi Toole. We wish Lucia well as she moves into a new phase in her life, and pay tribute to all our volunteers who make such a positive contribution to our work in Timor-Leste.

Health Promotion Officer Thomas Lopes pays tribute to Lucia and other MHI volunteers in this story.