Over the years the community of Aubeon has survived thanks to the blessing of their fertile land and eagerness to work to make a good living. Aubeon people live together in harmony and traditionally cultivate their farm land, fish and keep livestock for their families’ daily subsistrurence. Unhampered by an isolated geographical location on the south coast of Timor-Leste, some community members have a strong desire to maximize their productive land and animals with the support of UNDP.

One of the group leaders, Mr. Pedro dos Santos, 50, living with his wife and five children, was immediately inspired when the UNDP coastal resilience building project team presented the project objectives at a community sensitization workshop.

Understanding well the community’s responsibility to conserve the coastal ecosystem, particularly protecting mangroves from further degradation to reduce climate change impacts, he took the initiative to organize 17 other community members to establish a group to work on modern cow fattening. His objective is to reduce damage to mangroves caused by animals and excessive human exploitation.

Mr. Dos Santos says: “Based on our farming experience over many years to support our families, I saw that this important project would allow us to work together to pursue our dream of improving the economic conditions for Aubeon community.

“I take responsibility for ensuring that my team members are I are able to effectively utilize the support provided by UNDP.”

The cow fattening group now has seven women members. They actively help their male colleagues by providing food while the men’s groups construct the fattening house and collect grass for cows.

Chefi Suco of Aubeon, Post Administrative of Natarbora, Manatuto Municipality, Mr. Domingos Gonzaga says: “The community cooperative, particularly cow fattening and agriculture groups are motivated to work. Following the training facilitated by UNDP last year, the community began to organize themselves by conducting meetings and preparing their land and cows with the expectation that UNDP will support them.”

Currently the UNDP coastal resilience building project provides construction materials and equipment to support the cow fattening and agriculture groups.

Mr. Dos Santos appreciates the support from UNDP and along with his team members is planning to fatten their cows and deliver a regular supply to Dili livestock market once the cow shelter is ready.

He says: “We have a good energy for doing business now as group members are determined to keep the team spirit up.”

UNDP is committed to continuously supporting Aubeon community cooperative by providing further training, materials, technical advice and linking them to Dili livestock market.