On Wed 26th March, Sister Mary Anne Dwyer updated club members on the use and benefits of a transport van purchased in May last year with the help of RCWB funds.

Adapted to carry up to twenty people depending on the number of children travelling, for Timorese people whose needs are great (the elderly, pregnant women, children) the van enables long distance transport, along routes difficult to traverse at times.

Sister Mary Anne spoke about four main factors affecting vehicle operations: the special needs of the passengers, e.g. their physical condition, negotiating the weather and variable climate conditions, choosing the best routes possible in a country where warnings, signage and roadworks can be highly unpredictable and how best to moderate social interactions between van users including matters of hygiene, courtesy, rubbish disposal etc.

Involving simple bookkeeping to keep track of expenses, the van runs as a business, not as a profit-making enterprise but as a community service.

Sister Mary Anne expressed her appreciation to RWBC for making this difference to the lives of Timorese possible.