Mr. Lino Tani Amaral is 52-years-old and a father of 9 children (7 daughters and 2 sons). He is Xefe Aldeia (Village Chief) in Suco Makadique, Post Administrative of Uatulari, Viqueque Muicipality. His aldeia in the area of Nunteri-Digamasi-Bubulita had been isolated with limited accessibility or transportation means. This situation had remained so since colonial times and there had always been the clamour by the local community for accessibility to public services. The situation had been very challenging to the local community as they could not transport produce to the market. In addition, there were difficulties in accessing other public services such as health centers and schools.

Mr. Lino Tani Amaral who refers to himself as the voice for the voiceless remarks. “We have been here, in this area since our ancestor’s era until this time, 2020. Our situation has not changed. We still face the same challenges that our ancestors encountered before. We could not access public services because of no public transportation. Public transportation challenge was attributed to the poor condition of road. This had a negative impact on the community livelihood. We had to walk for about 20 kms to reach the market. We do have our produce and animals to be sold to the market, but unfortunately the walking distance is far, and it was difficult to us to deliver our products to the market or even to buy things in the market for our daily needs. Now, we are witnessing some changes in our area. The roads are now in good condition and it is facilitating local community to have access to the public services easily because we do have access to public transportation. Our produce can now reach the market and we can also buy family needs. More so, vendors from outside our village are able to come to buy our produce and animals because the roads are now accessible by public transportation such as dump truck or mini truck (angguna)”.

He also proudly notes that, following swift movement of public transport within the aldeia, it inspired him to establish a community market in the area. The idea was accepted by the local authorities and community of Digamasi, Nunteri and Bubulita. As a result, they were able to establish a market which operates on Wednesdays and Sundays. The market has been a success, attracting the local community and many vendors from Baucau and Quelicai. As a result of the market, the local community started to form groups to cultivate vegetables, and fish with the multiplier effect of economic development reflecting in the building of several houses along the road.Lino is grateful for the roads rehabilitated by ERA-Agroforestry project which are financed by the European Union. He said they are happy that the project did prioritize their village, owing to the agroforestry potential. He also says that because of this, they are now seeing improved livelihoods in their village. He also thanked the Government of Timor-Leste that collaborated with the development partners.