A Lifeskills Assistance

Alor Creative made a breakthrough to reach out brothers legally held in prison for crimes they have committed, by carrying out coconut shell craft workshop for the resident inmates at Correctional Institutions (7-14/12/2023) located in the BINKER PRISON building. This activity is important to provide skills after the detention so they can survive and continue living wisely. Finally, there are four people having a hobby to make craft.

Apart from improving skilled craft workers, in the future, it can support creative businesses and Alor Creative is ready to accommodate them to produce crafts in large quantities. Craft businesses in Alor have large market opportunities because they have a very wide tourism area, ranging from natural, cultural, religious, and underwater tourism.

During the mentoring activities, 4 brother whom were accompanied felt very happy, because they could do their hobbies while eliminating fatigue and boredom during the detention period. They chose coconut shells craft because the material were easy to get. They made crafts such as cigarette ashtrays and candy holders. It helped them to get used to the principles of making crafts.

During the activity, the Head of Jail House and several employees came to visit as a form of support and appreciation. Many suggestions were given so that more forms of crafts could be done by inmates. "They hope that when they are released from the prison they can change the stigma attached to them, that they always commit crimes," said the head of the prison.

A good adaptation process in society will change the existing negative stigma. Having a harmonious life and good relations with society is everyone's hope, especially ex-prisoners. It is desirable because as social creatures, they need recognition for their existence in society.

Alor Creative hopes that prison residents can become reliable workers to meet market demand, in addition to earning money as extra income even in prison. ***

The understanding about women and children is still low for common people, and theological explanation is also limited. It is problematic because many problems occur in Christian-majority areas, as several times the cases of sexual violence against women and children in church work areas have become increasingly widespread this year. It must be a serious concern from church institutions and all elements in society to prevent cases of violence against women and children (KTPA) increasing in Alor Regency.

As a concern to this problem, the Multiplication of Stube HEMAT in Alor collaborated with the Theology Study Program of Tribuana University build a deep understanding for the students about violence against women and children. The inclusive discussion with the theme "Women and a Christian Perspective" (29/04/2023) was held at Kevinda Café – Mali.

Eunike Molebila, M.Th, a lecturer in Theology and head of the UNTRIB Quality Assurance Institute (LPM) is the guest speaker. In the opening, the activities of introduction, the students were directed to be able to recognize their potency through the meaning of the names given by their parents.

In a further presentation, Eunike shared an understanding of women and gender. The discussion became lively when students were allowed to define women and gender. Based on their understanding, the participants expressed their opinion, Eben said, "Women are patient and good advisers." Meanwhile, Semu said, "Women and men are the same, only sexual identity differentiates." Furthermore, as a basic understanding of violence against women and children, Eunike explained four things, such as sex, gender, gender standardization, and gender inequality.

According to the theme (Women and a Christian Perspective), the presentation discussed the role of women in the Bible. There are two different things in the Bible about it. There are female characters who are mentioned and not mentioned. In the genealogy of Jesus Christ, there is a woman mentioned, namely a prostitute, from whom David and Jesus were born. It can be seen here, there is a positive role and there are also female figures who are not mentioned. Speaking of women in Christianity, women used to take the role behind the pulpit, but we are grateful that the GMIT Synod (Evangelical Christian Church in Timor) has changed, women have been given equal opportunities. Women in the Christian tradition have progressed, but why certain churches have not given opportunities to women is still a question? They reasoned that women should be silent. Furthermore, the resource person allowed the participants to express their hopes as Christian men and women, written on a piece of paper and then attached to the wishing tree.

More detailed material regarding violence against women and children was conveyed by Therlince Loisa Mau, S.Pd, a female activist and disaster-resilient church facilitator. She explained that several things must be maintained, namely thoughts, words, and deeds. If these three things are not maintained properly, it will become a form of violence. Participants who have been divided into five groups explain the meaning of the words that have been distributed.

The first group got the word ‘physic’. According to the first group it relates to the body from head to toe, strong and weak. Strong, for example, a father commits physical violence to his child or wife. Weak, for example, women are deceived by sweet promises, immediately weak, and tempted. Relating to the physical, kick, hit, grab, pinch, reject, push. The second group with the word ‘psychologic’, and the following groups received words, such as Human Trafficking, Economic Violence, and Sexual Violence.

These words are closely related to the problems that occurred in Alor. At the end of the discussion, the resource person hoped that the participants who attended this activity would become living letters to remind each other about violence, when they found cases of violence that occurred in the community or those who experienced it, they could immediately report directly to the authorities. ***