New Zealand Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Ruth Nuttall, presented the inaugural Private Leonard Manning Memorial Scholarships to eight Cova Lima students. (WN08-0150-01)
By COL Peter Wood
New Zealand's Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Ruth Nuttall, recently presented Private Leonard Manning Memorial Scholarships to eight Cova Lima students at Dom Bosco Technical School.
Dom Bosco Technical School is located at Fatumaca, south of Baucau, in the eastern districts of Timor-Leste, and has a deserved reputation as one of the best schools in Timor-Leste. Students are drawn from all over East Timor and entry is competitive. Its 260 students undertake technical training there and specialise in one of four trades; carpentry, electricity, electronics or basic engineering. Most students live on site.
The scholarships are funded by the East Timor School Trust, established by Charlie and Linda Manning, the parents of Private Leonard Manning. Private Leonard Manning was killed in action Cova Lima in 2000 while serving with New Zealand Battalion 2. The scholarships assist selected Cova Lima students with their fees and living costs during their second and third years of technical training courses at the school.
In Timor-Leste most families struggle to pay for their children to attend school. These scholarships provide encouragement to students from Cova Lima to continue their studies and ensure that deserving students can complete their training. The school’s focus on a sound education and practical training helps provide Timor-Leste with essential skills needed for the development of the country.
Anyone wishing to support the fund can make contributions to the Trust as follows:
The East Timor School Trust
Bank of New Zealand
Putaruru Branch
Account Number:020408 0149554 00.
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