Exploring Timor-Leste's Origins

A group of Radford staff and students are preparing to return to Timor-Leste in June this year. In preparation, students are learning as much as they can about the people and places of Timor-Leste. In small groups, students are also researching aspects of the Timorese culture, economy, industry, politics and history.

Kobe Sun, Oscar Watt, Sophia Prince and Katie Ceniza-Drake have decided to learn more about Timor-Leste’s coffee industry. This led to an invitation to attend an event hosted by Orijem Timor, a company that is working with Timor-Leste-based Kape Diem Coffee Lab, Australia-based Project Origin, and 1LM, as well as project partners, Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Palladium: Make It Possible and Business Partnerships Platform to improve the coffee quality and develop export potential.

The event consisted of delicious coffee tasting and many great conversations, including with Kape Diem’s coffee harvest coordinator, Estefania Ferreira, who shared her leadership experience, which is paving the way for the next generation of coffee professionals.

Her Excellency Inês Maria de Almeida, Timor-Leste's Ambassador to Australia; His Excellency General Taur Matan Ruak, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste; Her Excellency Adaljiza Magno, Timor-Leste Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; and William Costello, Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste were all present at the event and it was great to meet them.

Kobe Sun wrote:

Orijem Timor is a company that works with Timorese coffee growers to increase the quality and the amount of coffee for export. I had the privilege to attend an Orijem Timor event that discussed the importance of coffee to the Timorese economy and how Orijem Timor is working towards promoting gender equality and social inclusion though the production of coffee.

Whilst at the event, we had the opportunity to talk to Daniel, one of Orijem Timor's team members about the Timorese coffee industry. During our conversation, he invited the 2023 Timor group to visit Orijem Timor's facility when we go to Timor-Leste. Overall, the experience was valuable to understand more about Timor-Leste’s growing coffee industry.

Watch this space to see where this visit might lead! To watch a short video about Orijem Timor, click here.