AOH 32 Makes Donation to Orphanage

Recently, AOH 32 member Bill Carr asked for our help in raising money for the Topu Honis Kutet orphanage in East Timor. Our order generously donated $200.


The Topu Honis Kutet organization is run by a Divine Word Missionary priest Father Richard Daschbach, SVD. It began about 12 years ago, and was up to 60 children when, in 1999, a rampage of Indonesian troops occurred.

Disaffected about East Timor's overwhelming vote to become independent from Indonesia, these troops succeeded in destroying the entire infrastructure of the little fledgling country, including the orphanage buildings.

Father Richard hid out in the surrounding hills with the children until Australian and other UN forces intervened. When it was safe, they returned and commenced to rebuild the orphanage.

The children (orphans, function orphans, and special cases) were up to 125 by 2007 when soaring prices and a poor harvest threatened the continuance of the orphanage. Rice rose from $250 to $500 a ton. It takes $14,000 a year now just to feed the children rice.

The good Father sends his thanks to AOH 32 through this letter:

Thank you for the generous $200 for the Children's Home in East Timor. Your donation will help feed and clothe the kids.

I have certainly known of the Ancient Order of Hibernians over the years, but had never been in contact with them. My brother has referred several times to Irish organizations helping to build various parts of his children's home complex, and perhaps your organization had a part in that.

There is no Irish blood on my mother's side (Czechoslovakian), but dad's side's a mixture that includes Irish. So I guess there is a bit of the ol' Irish in meeself as well. That explains the good elements with which I am endowed.

Please know that your donation will go entirely to the kids. There is no solicitation cost involved in this endeavor.

God bless you for your concern for God's children.