BAUCAU, U.S. Ambassador in Timor-Leste -- U.S. Ambassador to Timor-Leste, C. Kevin Blackstone and Minister of Education, Youth, and Sport Mr. Armindo Maia, celebrated the 102nd project of the U.S. Navy Seabees in Timor-Leste, July 12, 2021. Together, they cut the ribbon for a new three-room schoolhouse constructed by the Seabees at the Ensino Basico Central Seical in Baucau. The new facility, valued at nearly $353,000, will benefit over 300 students. The U.S. Navy Seabees have had a continuous presence in Timor-Leste since 2009, rotating groups of American military engineers every six months to improve educational and health infrastructure in Timor-Leste.

“It is exciting to announce that the U.S. Navy Seabees have completed their 102nd project. This is their latest contribution to Timor-Leste in over a decade of hard work. Ambassador Blackstone said. The American women and men of the U.S. Navy Seabees built this classroom facility to serve generations of Timorese children. Seeing the students that would use the facility everyday inspired them even more to complete to project as soon as possible. The United States is committed to supporting the education of Timor-Leste’s children and youth through infrastructure projects like this, teacher training programs, exchanges, scholarships and more.”

Soon, the Seabees will start construction of a 4-room schoolhouse at ESG Baucau with an estimated cost of $350,000.

Ambassador Blackstone and Minister Armindo Maia were also joined by Baucau Municipality President Antonio Augusto Guterres, and EBC Seical School Director Luis Da Silva Correia.