so near yet so far away

i visited a village yesterday only about 20 minutes drive from Dili centre - in fact, the village is still part of sub-district Cristo rei. Once again, while traversing the rocky paths, i awed at the lush green landscape that greeted me - a sight that we have privilege of for only a few months each year before the dry season sucks the moisture out and turns the mountains brown. The air was clean and fresh, it was like water hung on the leaves, the trees, in the air... really cooling and refreshing. The view that greeted us as we climbed higher and higher in the 4WD was also breathtaking.

At one point, we arrived at a spot where a few shacks had been built along a narrow rock path. On the right was the moon crescent lagoon of Cristo Rei's white sands, on the left, you could see the entire Dili city - most prominent of all, the Comarca or Becora Prison. A wonderful view, almost paradise-like. It's easy to become lost in romantic thoughts and envy the people who call this prime estate their home.

Except - the villagers have no water and have to walk hours each day just to have enough water to cook the rice, and prepare food, never mind hand-washing, and bathing.

Except - the villager have no electricity, and by 7pm, only tiny candles will light up the village - we Dili residents have all seen the mountains twinkle at night - this is them.

Except - they have no clinic there, they have to walk hours to see a doctor but who has time? So much time is already spent on fetching water, minding the children, and tending the land. There is a reason why the National hospital has earned the moniker - passage to heaven - most people arrive already at the brink of death.

At this spot up in the mountain, a curious bunch of kids gathered as usual to view the strange 'malae'. Amongst them, a little girl who was completely naked. She could be 2? i don't know. she had a large bloated stomach, but she didn't look very skinny. I clapped my hands to test her reflexes and played a game of hide and seek. Her eyes were not bright, but she did respond to my games and had the energy to run around to play catch. Will she go to school? Will she see a doctor? Will she be dewormed? Thousands of children like her live across the 13 districts in TL. I guess, she left such a deep impression because she was so near, yet so far away from better health.

People sitting in their air conditioned offices have no excuse saying they have no time to visit the districts to understand local conditions - you only need 20 minutes to see it for yourself. 20 minutes to get a reality check. 20 minutes to remind yourself that this girl is a human with dignity, and not a statistic and should not become one.