Dili, Timor-Leste :: President Ramos-Horta welcomes Doulos Hope's floating bookfair, highlighting her role in boosting literacy and education access for children in Timor-Leste.
Strengthening access to books and learning
Doulos Hope returned to Timor-Leste for her second visit, bringing more than 2,000 unique book titles to Dili. During the visit, over 23,000 people came on board, with 7,000 books sold and another 110 donated, giving the community greater access to books and learning.
President José Ramos-Horta welcomed the return of Doulos Hope to Timor-Leste. During his visit on board in Dili, he said, "This is the first time that the country came across a ship that's also a bookshop. I would say you've made hundreds and thousands of children happy. They can access books. They've probably never set foot in a ship like this. For them, it's quite exciting."
He added, “All [who] work inside the ship are from different nationalities. To me, that is a very good example and good experience for the children and the young people.”
Government representatives and community leaders echoed his sentiments. “You promote a chance of culture and education, so it's very helpful for the Timorese because we need more books here, not only for students, but for myself as well,” H.E. Jesuína Maria Ferreira Gomes, vice minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, shared.
“There are no bookshops in Timor-Leste. It's just very small sections in some shops. An event like this, with so many books for sale, is really something you need here,” said H.E. Duarte Bué Alves, ambassador of Portugal to Timor-Leste.
He added, “I'm sure that if you came for the second time, it's because there is appetite from the Timorese.”
Doulos Hope extends her heartfelt thanks to Timor-Leste for its warm welcome and continued partnership, and to everyone whose continued efforts help bring to life the ship’s vision of sharing knowledge, education and a love of reading.
As Doulos Hope moves on to her next port, Timor-Leste is left with something lasting: a generation of young people newly hungry to read and learn.