The Timor Children's Foundation
At Edward St Dental, we believe in giving back to the community locally and globally. Since 2020, Edward St Dental has proudly supported the Timor Children’s Foundation (TCF) and its inspiring dental project in Timor Leste, which began in 2013 and was spearheaded by Dr. Malcolm Campbell, a director of TCF. This ongoing partnership reflects our commitment to social responsibility and has been life-changing for the communities we serve in Timor and the staff and friends of our Brisbane practice who have participated in these transformative trips.
Over the years, Dr. Campbell has led numerous trips to Timor, where dental teams have provided essential care to remote and underserved communities. These journeys profoundly impact—both those receiving treatment and the volunteers who return home with a new sense of purpose and fulfilment. The connection between our team and the people of Timor runs deep, as we provide much-needed dental care and share invaluable knowledge, mentoring local health workers to ensure long-term, sustainable improvements in oral health.
The Upcoming Balibo Trip: Providing Care, Mentorship, and Hope
In November 2024, Edward St Dental will again support TCF Dental's sending a dental team to Balibo, a region in Timor Leste that holds great significance to both our team and Timor's history. This year’s team will include two dentists and an oral surgeon operating from the Balibo clinic.
Their mission is twofold—to provide hands-on dental treatment and to mentor the locally employed dentist, offering guidance, training, and much-needed equipment and materials.
Previous trips to Balibo have left an indelible mark on the community. Last year's trip to Balibo and Dili saw the team conducting schoolroom lessons on oral hygiene and overcoming language barriers with creativity and compassion. In the past, care has been provided at Marcello 2 School in Dili and rural clinics in Lospalos. Every trip has left a lasting legacy.
The importance of these visits goes beyond the immediate care provided. They are an opportunity to mentor local health workers, ensuring they have the skills and resources to continue their work long after the dental teams have returned home. This dedication to mentorship fosters self-reliance and sustainability within the community, one of TCF's core principles.
Raising Funds to Continue Our Work: Coffee for a Cause
One of the most critical ways we fund these life-changing trips is by selling ethically sourced coffee beans from Timor Leste, which are available at our Brisbane practice or the TCF website. These beans support the Timor Children’s Foundation and help the local growers’ cooperative in the Aileu district of Timor Leste, making each cup directly contribute to the community. Additionally, direct monetary donations can be made either at the surgery or via the TCF website.
Your support helps ensure we can continue providing essential care and resources to communities like Balibo. Last year’s team conducted school room oral health classes for all grades despite the language barrier, and we hope to continue building on that foundation with this year’s trip.
The Difference We Make Together
The schoolhouses in Timor, like the one in Balibo (pictured above), remind us of how fortunate we are in Australia. Seeing the resilience of the local children and families and being able to contribute to their well-being drives our commitment to this project. Every trip deepens our bond with the people of Timor Leste and strengthens our resolve to continue this vital work.
As we prepare for this year’s trip to Balibo, we invite you to support the Timor Children’s Foundation. Whether through the purchase of Timor coffee or direct donations, your contributions play a vital role in ensuring that we can continue providing dental care and mentorship to the people of Timor Leste.
Together, we can make a difference—one trip, one treatment, and one cup of coffee at a time.
