The Australian Government were standing by as the Indonesian Army and their militias attempted to destroy the new nation. After two weeks of protests, the Government granted the people's wishes and sent Australian forces to East Timor.
Subsequently in 2001, the CFMEU Construction & General National Office raised around $450,000 to fund and build the East Timorese Vocational Training Centre, known as KNUA BUKA HATENE ('Place of Learning').
The Centre has trained over 3,500 East Timorese in construction trades, tailoring, small business, literacy, civic education, organic fertilizer production, plough making, vegetable production and agriculture. It has also contributed to setting up many co-operative businesses which are helping to rebuild East Timor.
