Our Partnership with Casa Vida
I want to share with you more about a beautiful ministry that the Lord called me to be a part from June 2019.
Casa Vida is based in Dili, the capital city of Timor-Leste. The non-government Christian Faith-Based Organization was first established in 2008. Casa Vida’s mission is to ‘provide victims of abuse a place of security where they can receive care for their physical, mental, social and spiritual needs; facilitating their return to complete health/wellness, to families and communities with a restored self-confidence and self-esteem.’ In Timor, there is no emergency foster care so victims of abuse are referred by the police, social welfare department or family members, to Casa Vida where the girls (and their baby/child/children in many cases), can live in safe houses where their journey of healing can begin.
The girls receive ongoing counselling, have the opportunity to finish their schooling and attend life skill programs where they can learn various skills such as computing, languages, and handicrafts to help build their self-esteem and equip them with skills that will better enable them to find employment or operate small businesses for when they are reintegrated into their community.
Moyses and Josie Xavier arrived back in Timor from Brazil in 2017, specifically to work with Casa Vida as volunteer psychologist and social worker and have continued their work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2019 I started to work between Casa Vida in Dili while continuing to visit the village of Weberek each fortnight with a wonderful team who the Lord brought together. At Casa Vida, I supported I helped in the area of client health and nutrition and supported the director in the office editing emails and other administrative jobs. I have been able to continue to support Casa Vida during the unexpectedly extended period in Australia due to Covid, by continuing assistance with editing emails and some translation work.
Para Marcia also supports Casa Vida by shipping donations:
Bags donated to Casa Vida from Para Marcia supporters in 2022. Shipped in a Rotary container from Brisbane.
Unfortunately, Casa Vida has been constantly struggling with finances since a major donor ended their financial support at the end of June 2020.
If the financial situation doesn't improve, or they receive another major and committed donor, Case Vida will be forced to reduce the number of abused girls they can rescue.
Can you or your Church help Casa Vida cover and allow this child protection organisation to remain operational in 2026? Both your prayers and financial help, if able, are urgently needed.
Does anyone know of an altruistic community organisation or business that would be willing to become a regular supporter?
There has been a dedicated Para Marcia fundraising account to help raise these urgent funds.
Please send donations to
BSB 012 800
Account No. 153355275.
To request a receipt, please email: paramarcia.timor@gmail.com
God Bless you,
Lucinda.