Early Life and Journey to Tailoring
Agnes Salu, 46, lives in Bobocase, rural Timor-Leste, where she works at her sewing machine outside her home. She grew up in a small village and graduated from primary school in 1994. When her mother did not allow her to continue to secondary school, Agnes sought help from nuns who suggested she join a tailoring course.
For six months, she learned everything from basic design and buttonholes to handcrafting handkerchiefs. Her talent allowed her to attend an advanced course in Nurasi. Upon returning home, she celebrated her first sewing machine with a party for relatives and neighbors, establishing her reputation as a skilled tailor.
Her sewing journey also intersected with the country’s fight for independence. In 1999, she was detained for sewing a flag for the independence movement but continued her craft despite the challenges. Even when fleeing to West Timor as a refugee, she carried her sewing machine, which sustained some damage during the turmoil.
After returning home and marrying in 2002, Agnes continued tailoring and also sold bread, learned from the nuns, to support her family and children’s education.
The 2021 Flood: Loss and Survival
In April 2021, a devastating three-metre flood swept through Bobocase. Agnes’s house, livestock, and sewing machine were destroyed. She and her family barely escaped with their lives, evacuating with only their cow, while four goats and all their chickens perished.
The flood left their home underwater, documents soaked, and debris scattered everywhere. Agnes recalls running through chest-deep water to rescue their cow, while her husband climbed a tree to film the disaster, only to lose his phone in the flood. For weeks, they stayed with relatives, cleaning and rebuilding their home with limited resources.
The flood was the worst we had ever experienced. We lost everything, but we survived— Agnes Salu
Recovery Through Oxfam’s HAMRIIK Project
Unable to sew for two years, Agnes’s livelihood was devastated, until she joined a savings group through Oxfam Aotearoa’s HAMRIIK project. She received a loan to purchase a new sewing machine and quickly repaid it within three months. Today, she is able to loan money to others in her community, helping them rebuild alongside her.
The HAMRIIK project targets 650 vulnerable households in Oecusse and Liquiça, Timor-Leste. It promotes climate-smart agriculture, water conservation, and sustainable land use practices. In its first year, 18 new savings groups were formed, including one of 24 women who saved NZ $1,291 in just ten weeks, providing loans for various community needs.
The HAMRIIK project targets 650 vulnerable households in Oecusse and Liquiça, Timor-Leste. It promotes climate-smart agriculture, water conservation, and sustainable land use practices. In its first year, 18 new savings groups were formed, including one of 24 women who saved NZ $1,291 in just ten weeks, providing loans for various community needs.
Disaster Preparedness and Community Resilience
Following the 2021 flood, Agnes and her community received disaster preparedness training through Oxfam partner ROMANSA. They learned to recognise natural warning signs, like bird sounds, thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds, and how to respond using color-coded flood alerts: yellow to prepare, red to evacuate.
Safe evacuation shelters were established, equipped with tents, bathrooms, and water tanks, ensuring families could stay protected during emergencies. Agnes also participated in simulations and training provided by the Red Cross, learning health, safety, and emergency response skills.
Adaptation and Agricultural Innovation
Beyond disaster preparedness, Agnes and her neighbors received training in climate-smart agriculture. They learned to build raised vegetable beds in “C” or “Kaibauk” shapes to conserve water and plant trees near water sources to prevent soil drying.
We want to continue planting vegetables and improving our community. With this knowledge, we can adapt to the changing climate and grow food even in challenging conditions— Agnes Salu
Although floods can still delay planting, Agnes has begun planting kangkong (water spinach) on dry patches of land. She hopes to start working as a group with neighbors soon, applying the lessons learned to strengthen community resilience and food security.
Looking Forward
Agnes Salu’s story is one of resilience, skill, and hope. From losing everything in the 2021 flood to rebuilding her livelihood with support from Oxfam, she has become a pillar of her community, empowering others while adapting to a changing climate.
With my new machine, I am sewing again and helping others. Life is not easy, but we keep moving forward.— Agnes Salu
