It was not my first field trip Oecusse, but this time the trip was a little bit different. With U.S. Ambassador Judith Fergin and USAID/Timor-Leste Mission Director Rick Scott, we flew out from Dili on a UN helicopter. Because Oecusse is separated geographically from the rest of Timor-Leste by part of Indonesia’s West Timor Province, flying on UN helicopter really saved us time. Our destination was Bobometo, a difficult-to-reach village in this remote district, where we would inaugurate the new clean water supply system built with the support of USAID.

Solar energy pumps clean water to the distribution tank in Luin, Oecusse. Photo credit: Mauricio Borges, USAID

We arrived at Bobometo village in the early afternoon. Crowds of people welcomed us with traditional dancing. I could see smiles and happiness in the faces in the crowd—after waiting a year, the residents finally have access to clean water on a regular basis.

We walked out to see the large solar energy pumping system that USAID and the Timor-Leste government’s District Water and Sanitation Services Office (SAS) had installed. The solar energy pumping system is built in the middle of nowhere, but it is quite impressive. A combination of natural clean energy systems (gravity and solar power) brings the clean water from the source to the people. In this case, a gravity feed system brings clean water to a large storage tank. From there, solar energy pumps push the water up to distribution tank. Gravity takes over again from the distribution tank, bringing clean water to tap stands in the nearby communities. Thanks to this pumping system, residents can enjoy both clean water and a clean environment.

Community leaders told us that around 1,850 people now have access to clean water from this water system. Another similar water system nearby reaches more than 675 residents. The communities are committed to maintaining their systems, too. Through their local facility management groups and the district SAS, they will pay a small user fee to cover the cost of system maintenance.

Having the chance to see the completed water supply system and witness the benefits that people get from having access to clean water, I’m beginning to believe that a seemingly impossible thing can become possible when people work together. I believe that the cooperation between USAID and Oecusse District SAS has really improved the lives of many residents in Bobometo by giving them access to clean water and improved sanitation and hygiene.

And seeing the solar-powered pumps and gravity feed systems has convinced me that a combination of clean energy systems—including solar energy, wind energy, and gravity—can offer solutions to the challenges of bringing clean water to rural communities in Timor-Leste without compromising the quality of the environment. I believe that replicating these proven methods will improve USAID’s future water programing and provide a better future for Timorese citizens.