Kecoli - Timor-Leste’s Youngest Hero
In Mertuti there is a house with a secret. For two years the former Commander of Falantial, Nino Konis Santana, hid from the Indonesian military in a tiny bunker under the house.
During that time he relied on one five year old boy, Kecoli, to bring him food, water and human companionship via the bunker’s secret trapdoor entrance.
Phillip and our translator Maria do Ceu met Kecoli, now fifteen years old, and heard his story. You’ll hear it in full on Late Night Live soon - here’s a preview…
October 5th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Hi there,
As an addendum to this - Timor-Leste’s first National Park was recently declared, and is named after the ‘Che Gueverra’ hidden by Kercoli whose birthplace was in the area - Nino Konis Santana National Park. It takes in the entire eastern tip of Timor-Leste, is joint terrestrial-marine, will be jointly managed with local communities, is is amazing visually, historically (from prehistory to colonial and resistance), traditional culture is still very strong there and of course has wonderful biodivdersity, land and seascapes. It’s was a resistance stronghold in the war with Indonesia and Xanana himself was based and commanded from there.
and thanks for your programs and wonderfully irreverant style, we do love them, helps keep us expats just a little bit sane(ish)
Cathy xx