I am thrilled to join the East Timor Hearts Fund as CEO during this exciting time and to build on the success of the past ten years. I wholeheartedly believe in the organisation’s mission to improve outcomes in rheumatic heart disease in Timor-Leste through excellence in research, prevention, treatment and capacity building. I am inspired by the dedication and commitment shown by our volunteers, staff, sponsors, supporters, donors, ambassadors and board members each of whom brings diverse skills and experience.
I have spent the last 15 years working in leadership roles in the international development sector across the Indo Pacific region. My background is in leading international development programs and country offices – specifically supporting the delivery of high-quality programs, working in teams to deliver sustainable outcomes, implementing strategy, engaging with stakeholders and driving growth initiatives.
As CEO, I am committed to supporting Timor-Leste’s continued progress in health as the nation continues its development journey. I am aiming to travel to Timor-Leste as soon as feasible to meet the dedicated people who bring unique and highly-valued skills and experience to support the organisation’s mission.
I look forward to the opportunity to expand life-saving surgeries, increase clinical care, implement sustainable prevention programs help improve public health systems in Timor-Leste and to leading the organisation into the future.
I wanted to work with ETHF for 3 reasons.
- ETHF is an NGO that supports the good health of Timor-Leste, especially helping those Timorese communities who have been affected with heart disease, to give treatment, preventions and assist capacity building for the Timorese doctors and nurses.
- Supported the Ministry of Health Timor-Leste with cardiac clinics in Timor-Leste, including a number of surgical patients who have travelled to Australia for operations and improved cardiac services in Timor-Leste.
- I have been able to adapt my international working standard, which is so crucial to enhancing my ability in the future, to have an opportunity to work with other international NGOs.
I have good skills in communications, collaboration, health management, problem solving, and passion and self-dedication in the area that I am working. Other than that I also have public health skills such as; prevention, counselling, health administration and management.
I want to continue working with ETHF to produce better outcomes in improving cardiac services in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Timor-Leste and HNGV. I am also keen to pursue a scholarship or any short-term course opportunity in health research, health management or health administration in Australia, to enhance my ability and learn new skills, to implement and improve the quality of the health care system in my country.
I truly believe that there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing first-hand the effects an organisation like ETHF has on their donor recipients, patients, families, and communities. I grew up with Timorese people being a part of my extended Portuguese family and community in Melbourne, so the connection was already there for me.
My previous roles have largely supported senior and executive management in various industries. I’m a ‘jack of all trades’ as I’m often called and there’s no challenge or task too great. My studies focused on anthropology, politics, international security and applied linguistics. I’m fluent in Portuguese given it’s my cultural background, learnt a little Bahasa Indonesia whilst in Defence and can generally understand some Tetum.
In my role I need to stay one step ahead and ensure that I’m supporting everyone in and involved with ETHF: patients, staff, volunteers, donors, supporters, partners, etc. Whether it’s fundraising, marketing, administration, bookkeeping, planning an event, coordinating clinics and travel for patients, or having a chat to a donor…my role is involved and I’m grateful to be a part of a volunteer driven organisation.
I am delighted to be working with East Timor Hearts Fund to transform the lives of Timorese people affected by rheumatic heart disease. The organisation’s holistic range of health programs greatly inspired me – from diagnosis through to treatment of patients in greatest need, prevention and capacity building of medical teams in Timor-Leste. For a small organisation, it has achieved so much through its generous donors and network of incredible volunteers in Australia and Timor-Leste.
Over the past 15 years I have worked in marketing, communications, and fundraising roles in the not-for-profit sector, including international development. My experience as a refugee and growing up in poverty ignited a passion to work towards a world where people, especially children, have better opportunities in life. Access to healthcare and education are such essential tenets to strengthen individuals and communities.
It is always a privilege to meet beneficiaries and have the chance to capture and convey their voice and experience. I also enjoy bringing donors closer to the programs and people they impact through storytelling and technology. It is exciting to have this opportunity to tell the life-changing stories of people we serve and help build future support to transform even more lives.
I am thrilled and grateful to have the opportunity to work with East Timor Hearts Fund as a rheumatic heart disease (RHD) Nurse to help the lives of Timorese people who are affected by RHD.
I am really motivated to work with an organisation that has strong values and a positive work environment. ETHF is driven to assist Timorese people affected by rheumatic heart disease by delivering education, prevention and treatment programs. It also provides surgery for patients and supports their needs and costs of living while in Australia. This is why it is at the top of my list of places to work.
After I received my Nursing Degree, I joined the Timor-Leste Ministry of Health (MoH) in Lospalos and was working in the emergency department, outpatient department and inpatient rooms. I also collaborated with other medical teams in COVID-19 screening triage. We travelled to villages and schools around Lospalos to administer COVID-19 vaccinations and deliver health promotion regarding the virus.
I also worked with the Red Cross in Lospalos on various programs. These included conducting health promotion with various ethnic groups, providing first aid nursing care and providing support for drought relief operations.
I have been nursing for two years and I love it. I am always looking for ways to develop professionally and my aim is to continue learning throughout my career as a Nurse. I am very excited to grow my nursing career ETHF and help the people of Timor-Leste who are suffering from RHD.
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