SETRA
Seattle-East Timor Relief Association

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The Seattle East Timor Relief Association was formed shortly after East Timor gained independence and became the world's newest country on May 20, 2002. Our mission is to raise money to help the people of East Timor rebuild their country after years of brutal and destructive occupation by Indonesia.  We want to help make reparations to the Timorese people for the role played by the United States in the Indonesian occupation and to raise awareness of the plight of the people of East Timor. We raise money primarily through donations and the sale of fair-trade, organic coffee from East Timor. At this time the funds we raise are used to help support two organizations in East Timor: the HIAM Health Clinic in the capital city of Dili; and Kay Rala High School located in the village of Manatuto.

The Seattle East Timor Relief Association (SETRA) is registered as a Charitable Organization with the WA Secretary of State (Reg #21908) and is a 501c3 non-profit organization so your donations are also tax deductible! For more information contact Debra at 206-523-3278 or email info@timorrelief.org.  If you would like to support SETRA with a donation please click here to print a donation form and mail with your check.

East Timor Background

A tiny half-island 400 miles northwest of Australia, East Timor was brutally invaded in 1975 by it's giant neighbor Indonesia with tactic approval of the United States.  During the 24 year occupation that followed more than 200,000 East Timorese--fully one-third of the pre-invasion population--were killed by massacres, forced starvation and disease.

Following the downfall of the Indonesian dictator Suharto, 78.5% of the East Timorese cast their votes for independence in a referendum. Yet more misery was to come. Before leaving the Indonesian military and it's militias conducted a scorched earth campaign. Thousands were killed and more than three-fourths of the population was displaced, with 250,000 forced into concentration camps in Indonesia. An estimated 70% of the infrastructure was destroyed including hospitals, schools and clinics.

On May 20, 2002 the Timorese finally realized their dream of independence and began the monumental task of rebuilding their country.   

Other organizations helping the people of East Timor:

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Revised: 04/13/08