Author: Lobitos Alves
Two women share their journey back to their hometowns, flying with MAF planes, and how it compares to the alternative.
Can you imagine spending long hours travelling on a bumpy road and how it would affect you? Imagine how much harder the journey is with young children.
Two mothers made a wise decision to avoid spending a difficult road trip when returning to their hometown of Suai, in Covalima municipality, located in the southwestern part of Timor-Leste.
Frederica Gusmão, a mother of six who currently resides in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste located in the northern part of the country, travelled with her 5-year-old son, Nixon Gusmao, to their hometown in Suai for a holiday.
She shared her experience flying with MAF and seeing the country from the air.
“We prefer travelling by MAF planes because it takes us a short period of time and allows us to enjoy the beautiful sights of the island of Timor-Leste,” said Mrs Gusmão.
Usually, travelling by bus or using public transportation from Dili to Suai takes about eight hours and involves unpaved roads, which can leave passengers feeling unwell.
She also highlighted how travelling on a MAF plane was a smoother journey, even though she admitted to being nervous at first.
“I was happy because it took us 35 minutes to reach Suai, but travelling by car could take eight hours on a road trip,” she added.
“I was firstly scared, but now I'm comfortable, and I want to fly more with MAF planes.”
I was firstly scared, but now I'm comfortable, and I want to fly more with MAF planes.
Maria Delfina dos Santos, a mother of two children from Zumalai village in Covalima Municipality, said she was also a worried flyer initially.
“I was afraid, but now I'm confident about experiencing the flight with MAF planes!”
She came to Dili by bus, but it was not a pleasant experience for her, as she was travelling with a 2-years-old child, Ahzrel Jules dos Santos Gomes.
“We want to fly on MAF’s planes because it will take us less time than travelling by car, which normally causes us car sickness,” said Mrs Santos.
“I'm travelling with my baby boy, so I prefer using MAF planes to avoid vomiting. MAF's domestic flight service helps us a lot.”
MAF pilot Joe Farren said shuttle flight services are about much more than convenience for people from remote communities in Timor-Leste.
“I think it’s such a privilege that we get to be part of the MAF mission: bringing help, hope, and healing to the lost and isolated,” he said.
“We provide an opportunity for people to quickly and promptly visit their families. We also offer people the opportunity to come and work in Dili, earning revenue that can then support their families back in their villages.
“It’s really lovely when you get to see the joy on people’s faces after those flights. I've really discovered the power of stories and the power of our own faith walking with God and how that can be used to encourage others.”