Baucau, December 22, 2025 – The Vice Minister of Parliamentary Affairs (VMAP), represented by the President of the Board of Administration of Centro Nacional Chega!I.P, Manuel Pereira, along with Board Members Inocêncio de Jesus Xavier and Aniceto Guro Berteni Neves, the Executive Director of Centro Chega!, Hugo Maria Fernandes, the Representative of the Center for Social Solidarity and Inclusion of Baucau Municipality (SSSIMB), and the Representative of the President of the Baucau Municipal Authority, gathered with local authorities from Uailili village and members of the Political Conflict Victims Association 1974-1999, officially hand over the Memory House, known as Uma Memória ba Esperánsa (UMbE), to survivor Ana Freitas. This event followed its inauguration held in Uailili, Baucau Municipality.
In his remarks, the Executive Director, Hugo Maria Fernandes, stated that the UMbE, which Centro Chega!I.P presented to victims and survivors, represents both a memory and a monument of life. “The UMbE that Centro Chega!I.P made for the survivors cannot be judged by its blue color alone. It contains three rooms and serves as a memory and a monument to life,” said the Executive Director.
Uma Memória ba Esperança was built for survivors, particularly Ana Freitas, and represents memory and a monument to her experiences. For many years, she suffered human rights violations committed by the Indonesian military to defend the independence of Timor-Leste.
“Uma Memória ba Esperança is a house made of solid stone, filled with memories and histories that we must encounter. Therefore, young brothers and sisters, and families in Uailili, when you visit this house, do not judge it solely by its blue color, its location by the road, or its size and beauty. You must take the time to listen to Ana Freitas and learn about her past experiences and memories. Hence, Centro Nacional Chega!IP is a public institute entrusted by the government to support victims and survivors who contributed to the struggle for independence. However, Ana’s history remains unwritten in history books. This house symbolizes the dedication, honor, and respect bestowed upon Ana by the state of Timor-Leste,” The director emphasized.
Manuel Pereira, the President of the Board of Administration of Centro Nacional Chega!IP, spoke on behalf of the Vice Minister of Parliamentary Affairs (VMAP) of the IX constitutional government, expressed gratitude to Centro Chega! in supporting Ana, who was chosen as a beneficiary to receive this house. This UMbE cannot be measured by its physical presence alone, but rather by the values left inside the house.
“This is a memory of the struggle, suffering, and difficulties that Ana has endured. These values must transform into love. As long as people see this house, they will be curious to discover why it exists and why she was chosen to receive it. Thus, it becomes a part of history,” Pereira stated.
Hernani de J. A. Ribeiro, the head of Uailili village, expressed appreciation to the government through Centro Chega! for building a house for his community member living in vulnerable conditions, emphasizing that Ana deserves it for her contributions to the struggle for independence. Additionally, survivor Ana Freitas expressed her delight at receiving the house from Centro Chega! and thanked them for providing her with an adequate place to live.
A Survivor’s Profile
Ana Freitas, a survivor, was born on November 3, 1951, in Uailili village, Baucau Administrative Post, Baucau Municipality. She is the daughter of Casilda Freitas Xavier and the deceased Ricardo Neto Xavier. Ana is the youngest of seven siblings, and she has 10 children. In the past, Ana Freitas actively participated in the struggle for independence. The Indonesian military committed numerous human rights violations against her, which significantly impacted her health and left her traumatized when recalling those events.
In her daily life, she works on a farm. Currently, she lives in inadequate housing conditions. Therefore, Centro Chega!, in cooperation with its implementing partner, the Political Conflict Victims Association 1974-1999, constructed Uma Memória ba Esperança for Ana Freitas. This house measures 9×7 meters and consists of 3 bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom, a balcony, and an outdoor kitchen. It is equipped with electricity, ceilings, and ceramic flooring, except for the kitchen. The total cost was $14,016.95, which includes fees for tradesmen.
Uma Memória ba Esperança is part of the implementation of the Chega! Mandate under Decree Law 48/2016, which monitors and supports survivors of human rights violations that occurred between 1974-1999. It is a priority program of the IX constitutional government, which has urged Centro Chega! to continue preserving the memory of the past, promoting human rights, and fostering reconciliation.
From 2021 to 2025, the Division of Solidarity for Reparations (DSR) of Centro Chega! has registered that Uma Memória ba Esperança (UMbE) has delivered to 26 of the most vulnerable survivors as beneficiaries.
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