The former President of Republic Democratic of Timor Leste, Ex – General Taur Matan Ruak, In the Inauguration Inaugural of International Quesadhip Ruak School at Mascarenhas, Dili, Timor Leste, on January 06, 2024.
Education is important, education is not just the responsibility of a government. Education is the responsibility of society as a whole, including civil society, parents and families. The future development of a nation depends on investment in education. “Education moves the world; it transforms the world and the lives of people.
I am grateful at this moment. This is a happy moment for all of us. As the founder of Centre Quesadhip Ruak (CQR), it is a privilege and a joy to share this momentum with all of you. This school is for the parents, the teachers and the Foundation; this space will allow our children to learn. They are our children, so let us accept that they are also your sons and daughters. This room will prepare their skills. Once they have the skills, they will help their families, especially in the future. Therefore, it is our responsibility to take care of our children. It is not just about the importance of the investment we make, but more importantly the outcome of the investment. When your children finish school, will there be a president or do you expect there to be a president? There will be a member of parliament or a ministry, an engineer or a doctor.
“Learn to be a man of honour, responsibility and discipline. The future of the people who build our nation lies with those who are here and those who have gone in the past.” Hence, work symbolises great dynamism. Therefore, teachers and administrators must manage it well, with love and compassion.
The construction of this school and site was known only to the late Mrs. Isabel da Costa Ferreira, who was in hospital at the time. I was aware of this only one month before her death. On one occasion, some staff came to my place on Saturdays and Sundays. I asked them where they were going, and they informed me that they were building the school. I asked them where the school was, and they replied that it was in Mascarenhas. One day, I visited the site to ascertain whether any families were still residing there. I spoke with them for a brief period. A month later, she passed away. Upon her demise, I considered the possibility of closing the school.
However, I reconsidered this decision after reflecting on her condition during her illness and my own relative good health. I was uncertain about the responsibility for the children’s care. Mrs. Isabel was a caring individual, frequently stating, “Your children, your children, you children.” She was orphaned at an early age, having lost her father when she was still a year old. This experience instilled in me a sense of responsibility to care for her. I am therefore grateful to Mrs. Isabel for her guidance and support. We will work collectively to develop this school further. However, this endeavour is not solely the result of Mrs. Isabel’s efforts; it also represents the collective contributions of numerous other individuals and entities, including members of the Jape family, the Embassy of Japan, the Embassy of Korea, the Embassy of China, the Australian Embassy, and Golgotha Mall. These parties have provided invaluable assistance in the establishment of this edifice.
A local proverb aptly captures the spirit of this endeavour: “Blok ba blok, tijoru ba tijoru ita sei hari Uma ida”.
It is my hope that the teachers, administrators, and the families and parents of the students will work together to achieve one goal: the success of this school. The success of this school is of great importance to us all, as it will affect the future of our children. I would like to thank the families who have brought their children to this school for their contributions to the school’s success.
The school initially accepted one hundred kindergarten students, some of whom were awaiting admission and required transportation to the educational facility. This is a positive indicator. The objective is to motivate and inspire individuals to make more informed decisions regarding their future. It is the collective responsibility of the school community to ensure that this institution is not merely a vision, but a tangible reality. Some have posited that the future begins today, particularly for our younger generation and their future prospects. We will support them for the next 20 to 30 years.
In addition to selling vegetables on the streets, the parents have also provided space for their children. This is the mission of the parents, teachers, managers, foundation, and society. It is our hope that within three to five years, the school will evolve and provide learning opportunities for children.