About

WithOneSeed is a not-for-profit social enterprise established in Australia. It is dedicated to improving the resilience of rural communities in Timor Leste by addressing sustainability issues. WithOneSeed will facilitate the development of sustainable reforestation projects through the establishment of village-based Community Tree Cooperatives.
 

WithOneSeed Activists
 

Andrew Mahar – WithOneSeed Founder

Andrew is a community organiser in both Australia and the Asia Pacific Region. Andrew has been involved in creating social enterprises for 25 years and in Timor for 10 years and has provided advice and guidance to community sector organisations, government at all levels and the private sector. Andrew has built his knowledge and understanding from practical, hands-on experience working in the not-for-profit field. 

Leopoldina Guterres – WithOneSeed Co-Founder and Project Manager

Leo is the Principal of five catholic schools in the sub-district of Baguia. Born and raised in the area, Leo has been witness to the extraordinary changes and challenges that her community has faced over the past 40 years, ranging from living in a Portuguese colony to the Indonesian invasion, to independance and self-sovereignty. Leo is committed to building sustainable local communities in which her children can live.

John Tadeo – WithOneSeed Co-Founder 1965 to 2012

It is with enormous sadness that we acknowledge the death of our esteemed colleague and great friend John Tadeo Gusmao. A wonderful man who embraced and led the WithOneSeed project in Baguia, Timor Leste as project Coordinator and Chairman of the Baguia Community Tree Cooperative. John died after a short illness.

Lyn Jenkin – WithOneSeed Communications

Lyn is a community worker and graphic designer who has worked in social marketing, communications and project management for over 25 years. Lyn has assisted to develop the WithOneSeed concept and has been visually documenting the project in Timor Leste since its inception year in 2009.

Michael Robertson – Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne - Education Coodinator / WithOneSeed Universal Education Advisor

Mick has an abiding interest in nature and a need to pass on the marvels, connections and wisdoms found in the natural world. He found his way to teaching through adventure guiding, particularly kayaking.  Former secondary teacher in outdoor, environmental, biological science and geography and has been Education Co-ordinator at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne since 2003.

Angus Cameron – Director Nomad Art / WithOneSeed Universal Education Advisor

WithOneSeed staff  – Baguia Timor Leste

Gregorio Rodolfo Ramos – WithOneSeed Program Officer

Martinha Das Neves Simoes – WithOneSeed Secretary and Finance

Emilo De Oliveira Guterres – WithOneSeed Tree Monitor

Pedro Simoes – WithOneSeed School Coordinator

Januario Dias – WithOneSeed Nursery Officer

Joao Gusmao – WithOneSeed Technology Internet Coordinator

Community Tree Cooperatives

The fundamental building block for the operation of WithOneSeed is establishment of village-based, self-managed Community Tree Cooperatives.

Village-based Community Tree Cooperatives ensures the involvement and participation of the local community and the sharing of the benefits that the community gains. While tree planting and employment are the most obvious features, school and community education and the establishment of Community Technology Hubs are essential aspects of the enterprise.

School-based programs

WithOneSeed are developing cooperative school-based educational programs with local educators in Victoria and Timor Leste. Programs will focus on environmental science and agroforestry education.

The school program includes the development of school-based propagation nurseries that provide an ongoing supply of saplings to the Tree Trust program.

Technology Resource Hubs will be established in each main village, allowing access to computers and satellite broadband internet by the entire community.

Planting the forests

The Community Tree Cooperatives will plant saplings on an annual basis. Reforestation will assist communities adapt to climate change and grow sustainably through building the local economy, encouraging education, training and employment, raising living standards and improving infrastructure.

Skills training and employment opportunities

Training, skills development and employment opportunities will be created in each Community Tree Cooperative. Members of the community will be trained to audit, track and map the trees to collect data about the growth and development of the Tree Trust plantations.

The installation of wireless broadband access and technology hubs will provide the Community Tree Cooperatives with the tools to manage, track and store information.

Community education and training

A detailed community education and training program will focus on each area of the social enterprise model.

Sustainability and funding

WithOneSeed has established a Computer Emissions Fund to provide a sustainable revenue stream for Community Tree Cooperatives as well as for the broader community. It provides opportunities for Australian schools, businesses and government to offset the greenhouse gas emissions from their computer use, while supporting community development in Timor Leste.

Distribution of funds 

WithOneSeed will pass income raised through the Computer Emissions Fund to Community Tree Cooperatives enabling the development of village-based economies.

WithOneSeed has also established a Community Investment Fund to provide funding for whole-community development projects. A small administration fee will also be paid from these funds.

Community Tree Cooperative management

The Community Tree Cooperative farmers will receive an annual payment for managing and maintaining the plantations of mahogany trees.

The plantations will improve water and soil conservation by reducing soil degradation and erosion, while contributing to the removal of carbon from the atmosphere.

Measurements of success

Success will be measured by the following criteria:

1. Establishment of Timorese school-based nursery
2. Establishment of Technology Resource Hub
3. Planting and maintenance of trees
4. GPS identification of trees
5. GPS identification of farmers’ land
6. Number of Australian school’s involved in the Royal Botanic Gardens education programs
7. Number of families involved in Community Tree Cooperatives
8. Increase in annual income of subsistence farmers
9. Improvement in village infrastructure through the Community Investment Fund