"I want to be responsible for my children, and I want justice. It is love for my children that gives me power to carry on.” These are the words of a 34-year-old mother of six, a year after she lost her husband to the violence that broke out in Timor-Leste in early 2006. She is one of the Widows of the Crisis whose stories have been collected in the “Memory Book”.

Last May 25, the Alola Foundation and Fokupers (Communication Forum for Timorese Women), presented the “Memory Book” to the Widows of the Crisis as a way of remembering those who died and paying tribute to the strength and spirit of those left behind. Through the “Memory Book,” the Widows of the Crisis not only reflected on their losses, they also shared their hopes for the future and continued to call for peace and justice. The Widows also took the opportunity to present a second Declaration to the Government, outlining their concerns for their and their country’s future, as a follow up to the Declaration presented to the Prime Minister six months ago.

The ceremony was attended by notable guests that included: Wolfgang Weisbrod-Weber, Chief of Staff of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Timor-Leste; Carmen da Cuz, Director for Social Services, Labor and Community Reinsertion; Alcino Baris, Minister of Interior; and former First Lady Kirsty Sword Gusmão, Chairwoman of Alola Foundation. In her opening remarks, Kirsty Sword Gusmão said that the “Memory Book” “can be an important way to work through grief and find healing”. She added: “It has been encouraging to see the widows find support and friendship from each other through the group meetings and the counseling work. The sewing and jewelry training is beginning to provide income, meaning and hope for many of the women.”

Since September 2006, the widows have been meeting regularly as a support group at the Alola Foundation. Alola and Fokupers, supported by USAID’s Small Grants’ Program, provided them with psychosocial counseling. The psychosocial counseling included group counseling by Fokupers, as well as Alola’s support through advocacy, humanitarian assistance, scholarships and training in sewing and jewelry making. In November 2006, Fokupers held a reflection day which helped the widows to record their feelings in words and images. This was how the ‘Memory Book’ was born.

Back to back with the launch of the “Memory Book”, Alola also launched the Women’s Resource Center, which has been instrumental in advocating for the Widows of the Crisis and ensuring humanitarian as well as financial support for their families.