Manatuto, July 14, 2025 – Aderito Hugo da Costa, Vice Minister of Parliamentary Affairs (VMAP, in Tetum) of the IX Constitutional Government, alongside Manuel Pereira, Board President of Centro Chega!, and accompanied by local authorities and partners, laid the first stone for the construction of 6 houses for the most vulnerable survivors, where held in Kairui Village, Laleia, Manatuto Municipality.
The VMAP, Aderito Hugo da Costa launched the ceremony, alongside the Board President of Centro Nacional Chega!I.P, Manuel Pereira, Authorities in Manatuto, and partners. There are six houses offered to the survivors across multiple municipalities. These include: One in Manatuto Municipality for Irenie Bi-Bui Fatima de Sousa (Kairui Village, Administrative Post of Laleia). Two in Baucau Municipality for Francisco Vital Ximenes (Buibau Village) and Ana Freitas (Uailili Village), both from the Administrative Post of Baucau Vila. Two in Manufahi for Agata da Silva (Berloic Village, Alas Administrative Post) and Alexandrino da Costa (Fatukahi Village, Fatuberliu Administrative Post). One in Ainaro: for Ana G. de Lima S. Lemos Almeida (Soro Village, Ainaro Administrative Post).
Centro Chega! is providing these 6 houses to survivors who remain highly vulnerable due to the 1974–1999 conflict. The initiative aims to honor their contributions to Timor-Leste’s independence struggle. Each house measures 9×7 meters and includes 3 bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom, a porch, and a kitchen, which is fully electrified and has ceramics (except for the kitchen). The construction budget ranges from $14,800 to $17,000 per house, depending on material transportation costs, and includes labor expenses. The project is implemented by the Association of Political Conflict Victims 1974–1999.
Before that, 20 houses were built for the survivors. This year, the Division of Reparation Services (DSR, in Tetum) of Centro Chega! will build 6 houses for the survivors based on the recommendations outlined in the Chega! and PMAS reports, particularly the reparation program. It is under the responsibility of the Division of DSR to establish a solidarity support program for survivors and vulnerable groups who have faced past human rights violations.
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For detailed information:
Raimundo Sarmento Fraga
Media and Communication Officer
Email: rsfraga@centrochega.gov.tl
Phone: 7874 0345
The Centro Nacional Chega!I.P, From Memory to Hope was established by Decree-Law No. 48/2016 on December 14th with the vision of “Inclusive societies, history of the past to be unrepeated, living peacefully, and respecting human rights.” Its mission is to establish post-conflict centers, preserve the memories of the past, promote the values of human rights, build national and international partners, and strengthen the network to implement the relevant recommendations made in the final Report of the Commission for Reception, Truth, and Reconciliation (CAVR)-Chega!, and Commission for Truth and Friendship (CTF) – Per Memoriam Ad Spem.”
