The Chief of Ercina fish grilling group, Silvano Paulino, is happy to express his gratitude to UNDP for installing a water point along the coastal road.

“It is a marvellous stepping stone for me personally and also for my group who has lived here for almost five years struggling without clean water during our daily lives,” he says.

“We previously walked 1km to collect water from Atabae villa just to be able to run our small business and sustain our families.

“Sometimes people complain about the hygiene of our service, but this problem is over now because thanks to the UNDP coastal resilience building project and Government Water and Sanitation Department support we now have sufficient clean water to serve the community and strengthen our business.’’   

Erkina is a small community of Suco Adebalete which lives along the busy Dili-Maliana road, which also leads to West Timor (Indonesia).

Most of the 20 women in the community manage the business with the help of their children and husbands. They use a small area at the road side to run their fish grilling and kiosk business but suffered due to lack of a clean water supply. 

One of the husbands, Silvano, 51 reports that fortunately, now the water point is bringing the group good opportunities for their business.

“Compared to what we earned before the water point installation, our income has increased from $15.00 to $ 25.00 per day per individual. There are also other community members coming from other neighbourhoods requesting to open new shelters for business and some want to build their houses near Erkina.”

The fish-grilling group organized themselves and set rules for all members on efficient water use and assigned responsibility for management and maintenance. To keep underground water running smoothly, no one is permitted to settle near the water fountain at the back of the hill.  All these efforts will ensure sustainability of the water point and their business.

Silvino Paulino who wants to expand his business activities said: “Now I can I realize my dream one day to build a nice restaurant and bungalows along my hilly areas. I know there will be thousands of people travelling to and from Dili and Maliana, including people from West Timor, who need to relax, sleep and taste fresh food like grilled fish and katupa.”

Suco Chief Aidabalete Francisco added that in addition to improvement of community business activities, the community will be encouraged to provide hygienic food, clean the beach, protect the environment and coastal ecosystem to sustain their business and contribute to the development of the country.