Ceramic Pottery in Timor Leste – initiated from Timor Foundation

East Timor Development Agency (ETDA) is pleased to provide this report following the Official Opening of the ETDA kiln fired ceramic pottery training course on the 22nd November 2017. The opening for the ceramic pottery, a project initiative from Timor Foundation, was a great success attended by President of Timor Foundation, Josè Ramos-Horta and the CEO Miss Barbara Lietz and over 220 guests and visitors. There was considerable media interest in Official Opening from the media who provided good coverage of the opening through National Television advertising. 
 
A special mention and a great deal of credit must go to the experienced international pottery maestro Peter a monk from Switzerland who is a part of the ceramic pottery initiative from Timor Foundation, since his arrival in Timor-Leste, has displayed a true passion, dedication, experience and ability in selecting, identifying and developing ETDA’s 5 training candidates From a field of 10 hopefuls at the start of the training. Peter departed Timor-Leste on the 5th December this year after providing an excellent foundation for the students to learn pottery skills.
 
The 5 specially selected students are continuing to practice skills passed on from their time under the guidance and mentoring of Peter in producing pottery related items. All are showing a high degree of dedication, application in skill and potential to be developed into professional pottery craftsmen. Peter’s ability to work with the students to pass on his considerable knowledge and skill in the creation of pottery cannot be understated.
 
While the pottery training students have already produced quality ceramic pieces of work under the guidance of Peter, it is clear that they would benefit from additional training to develop their skills and ability in the creation of ceramic pottery products. ETDA wishes to advise that in Timor-Leste, there is a difficulty with achieving the right colour at present due to the clay mixture here. If there is any advice or information on how to correct this, ETDA would welcome any such information or advice on overcoming the colour issue.
 
Since Pierre has departed the shores of Timor-Leste, the students trained by Pierre have progressed to a production stage where they are now producing quality kiln fired ceramic items for the local market. Our ceramic employees are continuing to develop their decorative skills with a focus on Timor-Leste cultural aspects and traditions.
 
ETDA has produced a colour brochure to market our kiln fired decorative ceramic products and agreements have been reached with several commercial business to promote and display our range of pottery items at the Timor-Leste Airport, Timor Plaza, Hotel Timor Hotel, Eco Discovery Hotel

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Further, ETDA has registered 5 new students to undergo training in the creation and production of kiln fired pottery products with a view to provide additional employment opportunities for Timor-Leste youth. 
 
ETDA sees a very big future for this initiative both in the areas of promoting and developing youth employment skills and its contribution to the Tourisms industry in Timor-Leste. As ETDA is the only training organisation in this country with a dedicated kiln dried oven in Timor-Leste and to have the benefit of a highly experienced and dedicated training in Peter, ETDA expects a high degree of future interest from students wishing to undergo this training.
 
ETDA is genuinely excited about the future in pottery training and production in Timor-Leste and recognises the time, effort and skill it takes to become professional at creating the range of pottery items under expert trainer tuition experienced with Peter. ETDA therefore would like to respectfully request that if there is any likelihood for any of the current training candidates to be offered future developmental opportunities in pottery training in Switzerland, we would be delighted to take up any opportunity that may be available. 
 
ETDA again wishes to recognize the valuable and important support Timor Foundation has provided for this opportunity for ETDA students to be able to have access to a professional trainer and training equipment in producing quality pottery items. ETDA is committed to providing opportunities for Timorese youth and is grateful for the ongoing support offered through Timor Foundation and Scope Asia in Timor, Timor-Leste developing Tourism industry.
 
The Director of ETDA trusts that this update will confirm our commitment in continuing to lead and promote professional and quality training to the youth of Timor-Leste. Our cooperation with Timor Foundation and Scope Asia Timor is a success story for the whole country.