Change of heart bears fruit in East Timor

Moruk (far right) farms watermelons with his friends, after turning his back on a life dealing in black market goods [CAFOD]

Meet Moruk, who turned his life around from being a black market dealer, to now being a proud farmer of watermelons - thanks to the work of CAFOD partners in East Timor

Known as the mastermind of the black market in Salele, East Timor, Moruk* had a reputation for being stubborn and a troublemaker.

He earned big money dealing in mobile phones, diesel, cigarettes and other smuggled goods – as did many other local young people whose options were few and far between.

Based in the south-west district of Suai, Salele is close to the border of Indonesian West Timor – making it ideal for a thriving black market and as a haven for smugglers.

Cigarettes and alcohol

Moruk says: "After I got money from selling on the black market I would usually buy tua manas (local booze) and cigarettes, and would just sit on the edge of the road and play the guitar."

Then one day a friend invited Moruk to a meeting of the parish organisation, FOSCA (“Foinsa Catholica" or "Catholic Youth”), a local group working alongside CAFOD partner Catholic Relief Services (CRS).

Moruk says: “"I knew FOSCA, but I didn't know what they were doing. Then I remembered the Week of Peace held by them in Salele and Maliana, and I became more interested.”

Soon, Moruk found himself helping FOSCA in its work running peace camps for young people, as well as various workshops on justice and conflict resolution.

But Moruk also wanted to change his own life – as well as those of other young people. He wanted to grow watermelons on some land still owned by his family.

Through working with FOSCA, he had learned to write simple project proposals, and showed that he and his friends only needed a small amount of money to begin.

He won the support he needed, but still had to overcome one more obstacle in his path - in the shape of his former schoolteacher, who tried to stop other young people in the area joining Moruk in his new venture.

But Moruk persisted, and is now the proud owner of one hectare of ripening watermelons.

He and his friends sleep in the field among the growing plants to ensure the plants are allowed to bear their fruits.

Moruk says the negative words of his teacher actually challenged him to succeed, and he felt encouraged by the positive and practical support from both FOSCA and CRS.

He says: “When we harvest the watermelons, I will have something even more positive to show them!”

*name has been changed

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