I AM A WOMAN - DÍLI ALLSTARS

‘I AM WOMAN’
MUSIC TO HELP HEAL THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF TIMOR-LESTE

‘I Am Woman’ - a CD produced to help heal women and children of Timor-Lest was officially launched at 8th April, as a national Mothers Day Appeal, at the State Parliament of Victoria by Rob Hudson MP, Chair of the Balibo House Trust and Paul Stewart, (brother of Tony Stewart - one of the Balibo Five killed by Indonesian troops in 1975).

"The deaths of Timorese women and their children from preventable diseases is unacceptably high,” said Rob Hudson.

The vital funds raised in this national campaign will contribute toward improving women and child health at the Bairo Pite Clinic, a respected medical community clinic that sees more than 300 patients per day in Dili, Timor-Leste - the world’s newest nation.

The new CD called ``HAU ABUT'' (I am Woman) which was produced by Paul Stewart, is the latest music compilation created by the Dili Allstars to raise awareness of the plight of Timorese women and children and contribute much needed funds toward improving their health.

Long-time activist and supporter of Timor-Leste, Stewart said, “my blood is in the soil along with that of thousands of East Timorese. Since meeting Timorese musician Gil Santos (who lost his father on the same day that I lost my brother), I have been inspired to walk side-by-side with the people of the former Portuguese colony in their struggle for liberation and independence.”

With a strong social conscience and having used music to highlight the problems faced by the Timorese to push for international justice on their behalf, the Dili Allstars are a testament that music can influence the struggles of oppressed peoples and bring hope to a poor nation torn apart by war and violence.

Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific Ltd (AFAP) – (02) 9906 3792 or online via the AFAP website at: www.afap.org