Carlito’s reporting for duty once more

By Jim Mynard
ERMERA journalist Carlito Soares is back in business and has expressed thanks to the Casey Friends of Ermera.
Carlito lost his transport in 2007 when he was involved in an unfortunate accident.
His motorbike was a total write-off and he had a few bruises, but he struggled on until members of the friends group on a visit to Ermera investigated his problem and reported that he was worthy of support.
Members raised enough money for him to acquire a new bike.
Friends of Ermera president Jan Trezise spent 10 days in East Timor during January and met with Carlito.
She said he was grateful for the support he received from Australia.
He wrote to the friends group: “When my old motor bike was damaged beyond repair in 2007 for several months I was unable to do my journalist job effectively.
“I am the only journalist in the Ermera District and I write for one of the two daily newspapers in East Timor.
“So when I couldn’t do the job then the job wasn’t done.
“I was able to travel to the towns using a microlet, a small van that provides transport between towns, but this became an expense for me and I used a lot of time waiting for the microlet to go.
“Microlets do not go often to some villages and not at all to others.
“So some times if I could not borrow a bike then I was not able to go.
“My new motor bike is strong and reliable and can take me to any place in the Ermera District.
“I am being very careful in how I use it.
“I will not carry anyone on the back of the bike until it is run in.
“Thank you to the Friends of Ermera for collecting the money to buy my bike.
“Thank you to the many people who gave money.
“I promise that I will continue to do a good job as the Ermera District journalist.
“Maybe some day some of my Australian friends will visit me in East Timor,” he said.
Ms Trezise said the motorbike cost SUS2000.