The Jesuit educational project in Timor Leste is well underway. The original plot of 7.1 hectares has been extended to 8.44 hectares with the purchase of an adjacent piece of land. A solid fence surrounds the property located in Kasait, in the village of Ulmera, 18 km from Dili. The time spent sourcing for water yielded excellent results that will ensure that Instituto de Educação Jesuíta has more than enough fresh water to meet its needs.
Detailed drawings and the master plan will be given to four pre-selected contractors in this month, and it is hoped that Phase I construction will commence in July, immediately after the successful contractor is chosen. There is pressure to complete Phase I in time for the first intake of 75 students in Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loiola for the school year beginning January 7, 2013.
In the meantime, the four teachers continue their formation, learning how to apply the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm in their lessons.
Planning for the teacher education academy, Colégio de São João de Brito, is proceeding in tandem as the team prepares the necessary paperwork for permits and accreditation.