Imagine trying to get these people organised and acting as well behaved citizens for the common good . Yes, it s messy. Forget the heated towel rail, your closet of clothes, your VCR, your car, your water heater, washing machine, telephone, the movies, the pub, your pay packet or your dole. Instead, consider having to buy rice and an eggplant over buying a school uniform. Many children in East Timor don t go to school because they can t afford the pencil and notebook.
Many schools have no chairs or desks, even for the teacher.
Yes, these people are poor. Think of a lively party of 50 friends and acquaintances eating, drinking, having a dance and a laugh. Then imagine everyone one of those people, including yourself, having at least one close relative who has been murdered, or who disappeared and you never found out what happened to her. Then think of a whole nation of these people. Yes, these people are tortured.