Aileu 02 Fevereiru 2026 (Média Democracia) – FALINTIL Forca Defesa Timor-Leste official hands over “House of Hope” to Widow Maria Perreira in aldeia kotbauru, Seloi malere village, Aileu Municipality.
The House of Hope began construction on August 1, 2025, funded by F-FDTL with a total 0f $15,000.00 USD. The house was built by the F-FDTL Engineering Unit Team, measuring 9×12, with 3 bedrooms, a balcony, included living room, and bathroom facilities.
The representative Chief of the Major General state of the Armed Force, Lieutenant General Domingos Raul “Falur Rate Laek”, Colonel Alberto Dos Santos state, the handover of this house is part of F-FDTL sicial solidarity program to help families in need. This initiative also reflects the transformation spirit of FALINTIL, 25 years from a fighting force to an institution defending the nation and serving the people.
“Today, in Baucau and Aileu, we are not justinaugurating physical infraestucture, but we are inaugurating a mark of human dignity. The ‘House of Hope’ embodies the vision modern Armed Forces that understands National defense cannot be separated from human security,” said Chief of the Major General state of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Domingos Raul “Falur Rate Laek”, represented by Colonel Alberto Dos Santos in aldeia kotbauru, seloi malere Village, Sunday(02/01)
In the speech. the primary mission of F-FDTL is stated as the intrusive defense of sovereignty, complemented in this act by our vocation for piblic service in times of peace.
“The works built with the sweat and technical competence of our military, and made possible with the indispensable support on the Ministry of Defense, show that the camouflage uniform is a symbol of protection and refuge for the vunerable.” Says Colonel Alberto dos Santos
Colonel Alberto dos Santos continues, “We are honoring and actualizing here the sacred values of FALINTIL.”
“Before, our mission was to liberate our beloved country through arms, today our mission also to liberate our fellow citizens through solidarity and military engineering. The context has changed, but the principle of ‘Serve the People’ remains our moral compass.” Affirms the Chief of the Major General State through Colonel Alberto dos Santos.
The excellence of Civil-Military Cooperation, combining the dicipline and logistical capacity of the Armed Forces for the real needs of the population, strengthens the unbreakable bond between the population and the defense institution.
“To all military personnel who carried out this work, your efforts build houses and strengthen trust in the institution. We will continue to work with rigor and humanism, to guarantee that under our protection, no one is left behind.” Emphasizes Colonel Alberto dos Santos
In the same place, the President of the Aileu Municipality Authority, João Bosco dos Santos stated that the house built by F-FDTL is part of a contribution to help the local government.
“Despite their limited national budget and many difficulties, they were able to save that money to build and see to the needs that the government faces.” Says President of the Aileu Municipality Authority, João Bosco dos Santos
President of Aileu continues. As the President of the Aileu Municipality Authority, I thank F-FDTL for helping the local government, because building a house for a vulnerable person is in line with the local government’s competence, but considering the minimal budget, F-FDTL’s help has made is posible to offer it to widow Maria Perreira.
Therefore, the Chief of seloi malere village, Antonio dos Santos Loco, also acknowledges that widow Maria has been living in that house since 1999 in poor condition with the leaking roofs, and no flooring.
“Before, former village chief had proposed a UKL (uma kbi’it laek) house fo Msr. Maria, but elderly woman didn’t get it. I tried some ways but couldn’t manage, but thesome messages were conveyed by the post administrator and the F-FDTL Engineering Team. To see the condition of the place, so the team recognized that the place really needed to be built.” Says Chief of village Antonio
Widow Maria Perreira feels happy, because she received a dignified house offered by F-FDTL which will help her shelter in, because for many years she has been living in a house where the rain pours in.
“I’m verry happy because F-FDTL had a great initiative to build my house. For many years I was living in a simple house with a cracked, until the rainwater poured in.” expresses widow Maria Perreira
Maria Perreira recounts, the house she was living in before, was very bad condition, she and her grandchild were living there, even though the rain poured in, they will stayed inside, because they had nowhere else to shelter, but now they have a safe and dignified house that guarantees, they won’t get wet in the rain.
“The old house was covered with soil, but wooden pillars are broken, I tried to cut wood to fix it, but it was still bad, so I want to thank F-FDTL for this this great initiative, to rebuild my house and make it good. Today I’m very happy because I can live in this good house.” Declares widow Maria Perreira.
Meanwhile, the house built by the FALINTIL – Forsa Defesa Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) Command is part of a plan to build 50 houses for vulnerable families, initiated in the context of commemorating the 50th anniversary of FALINTIL. However, due to time constraints and technical conditions, the delivery of these houses will be done in the context of the anniversary of FALINTIL’s transformation into F-FDTL, which will be commemorated on February 2, 2026.
Reporting : Estefania
Photo : Estefania