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Help Humpty save lives in Timor!
The Humpty Dumpty Foundation has ventured off-shore for the first time with Chairman Paul Francis leading a team of five specialist medicos to East Timor.
The trip to Dili in November brought to life Humpty Dumpty’s dream of providing life-saving medical support to Timorese children.
It also seals a commitment made by the foundation to East Timor’s First Lady Kirsty Sword Gusmao more than three years ago to improve medical care in the struggling nation which is just over an hour flight from Darwin.
Through it's Timor Wish List Humpty Dumpty will support the children’s ward at Dili Hospital and the Dili clinic of American health advocate Dr Dan Murphy by purchasing much-needed equipment and supplies. To view Humpty’s East Timor Wish List please click here.
Conditions at both the hospital and Dr Dan's clinic are dire compared with the medical services provided in Australia. The team found it was the "little things" we take for granted - like access to refrigeration for medicines, gloves for treatment and infant resuscitation equipment - that are most needed.
Humpty Dumpty's Wish List has been put together in consultation with Sydney's leading medical specialist, doctors in Dili, Government and local Timorese health experts. Items on the list start from as little as $20 for a clock with a seconds hand essential for diagnostic observation.
“To have had the support of five of Sydney’s leading paediatric medical specialist has ensured our money is well-spent and provides the very best care for our Timorese neighbours,” Francis said.
“ Timor is so close to our borders and these people are crying out for help.
“The conditions the doctors and nurses are working in at some of the clinics can only be described as squalor and they are performing miracles without medicine and equipment.
“We can’t sit back and witness this any longer - for us to help and make a difference is very achievable.”
Funds for Timor will be raised separately to Humpty Dumpty’s primary work which is to provide essential medical equipment and services for more than 30 NSW hospitals. It is the only overseas project the foundation plans to support and gives supporters the opportunity to provide international aid through the Humpty Dumpty Foundation.
East Timor - Just the facts
Timor Leste – commonly know as East Timor - is a country in south-east Asia which comprises of the eastern island of Timor
and an enclave of islands on the northwest side. It is located 640km north west of Darwin and boasts a population of about
a million (July 2005). It has one of the highest birth rates in the world.
East Timor was colonised by the Portuguese in the 16th century. In 1975, the country declared it’s independence but was
invaded and occupied by the Indonesians the following year. In 1999, after a United Nations-sponsored act of
self-determination, Indonesia relinquished control and East Timor became a sovereign state in 2002. Timor’s history is both
bloody and inspiring as the people fight for their freedom. The local language is Portuguese and Tetum – an Austronesian
language – and most Timorese are Catholic.
Who's who in the Humpty Crew
Paul Francis - Director, Humpty Dumpty Foundation
Mr Humpty Dumpty himself. The tennis coach-turned fundraiser, whose tireless work for our children and hospitals throughout NSW is without question the life-blood of the foundation. The brain-child of Humpty Dumpty and the man who makes it all happen.
Dr Ralph Hanson - Director Information Services, The Children’s Hospital, Westmead
Dr Richard Lennon - Paediatric emergency specialist, Royal North Shore Hospital
Paul Hunstead - Clinical Co-ordinator, Sydney’s Children Hospital, Randwick
Jennifer Mirto - Nursing Unit Manager Cardiac Renal Ward, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick.
Margaret Bresnahan - Equipment co-ordinator ICU, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick.
Track the Humpty Dumpty crew’s activities in East Timor by logging on to www.humpty.com.au each day. Journalist and Good Egg Catriona Dixon will keep you posted on the team’s exploits in Dili.
Thanks a bunch
A HUGE high five to the devoted medical specialist who have volunteered their time to make Humpty Dumpty’s dream a reality in Timor this week – and to their hospitals and families for letting them go!
Special thanks to Qantas and Australian Air Express for transporting essential medical equipment to Timor. Your support has ensured the trip’s success.
To Angela Garniss for her outstanding organisation.
Funds for Humpty Dumpty’s work in Timor will continue to be raise separately to the foundation’s other NSW-based activities. This fulfils Humpty Dumpty’s primary objective of allowing generous donators to identify where their money is spent.
No donation is too small, nor too big! Stay tuned for the The East Timor Wish List.
To donate to East Timor email humpty@humpty.com.au
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