Finn assists crowded house in East Timor

New Zealand songwriter Neil Finn was so moved by a documentary detailing the plight of East Timorese orphans in the ramshackle capital, Dili, that he swiftly composed a couple of ways to help.

The musician was not the only Kiwi to have his heartstrings pulled when 43 sickly children were shown sharing eight beds and six vermin-infested mattresses in a room the size of an average lounge.

Australian aid volunteer Anne Moon has been overwhelmed by the response of New Zealanders who have given enough money to buy land for a new facility.

"It's been incredible. We haven't had any support here [Australia]," she said.

Hundreds of viewers who saw the documentary in June have contributed about $28,000 - enough to buy a hectare of land on the beachfront at Hera, a rich agricultural area half an hour from the capital.

She is returning to the fledgling independent nation in January to complete the land deal and then work on the construction project.

Finn made a substantial "five-figure" contribution towards the building project and, after reading about the children's love of music in their profiles, the father-of-two is also assembling a collection of instruments for use at the orphanage.

"They're all musically gifted, it must be something in the water," Ms Moon said.

New Zealand actor Sam Neill also contributed to a charity auction this year held in Queenstown. A local businessman donated 50 beds and mattresses.

Ms Moon first worked as a volunteer in Timor in 1999 but saw conditions in the orphanage only when she returned for independence day celebrations in May.

"I was coming over for the party but when I saw how these children were living my first thought was how to improve the situation for them."

She was approached by residents to run the orphanage but was initially reluctant.

"I said there was no way I could live there, then I thought if I'm not going to live there why should they?"

The children were malnourished, many suffered skin diseases and half of the roof was missing, Ms Moon said.

It is hoped the new orphanage will be operating by the middle of next year.

- NZPA

Further reading
Feature: Indonesia and East Timor

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