The Abundant Water team continues to face one of Timor-Leste’s greatest logistical challenges - its roads. Despite ongoing development, the country's road network remains difficult to navigate. A trip that may appear short on the map—just 90 kilometers—can take many hours, with landslides, potholes, and winding mountain paths turning simple deliveries into demanding journeys.
Chris Draper, Abundant Water’s Supervising Program Supervisor based in Timor-Leste, shared how the team manages these conditions to ensure our water filters reach even the most remote communities.
“Most of the time we opt for motorbikes as they are the fastest and easiest due to the poor road conditions,” said Chris. “But if we need to deliver more than 10 filters or have some other people who can't ride by bike, we also go by car.”
Motorbikes, which are light, fuel-efficient, and relatively reliable, are often the preferred method of transport. However, for larger deliveries or when traveling with additional team members, the team turns to their vehicle, known affectionately as Angguna, a compact ute that plays a big role in navigating tough terrain.
“The Angguna is a lot slower going north to south due to the potholes and landslides,” Chris explained. “So I'll choose which car I take - 4WD or 2WD - depending on the conditions.”
During a recent trip from the capital Dili to Suai - 175 kilometers south - Chris encountered a major obstacle. “I was two-thirds of the way there when a landslide blocked the road. The mountain had slid across the road in wet and rainy conditions, making it completely impassable.”
However, the commitment of the Abundant Water team and its local vendors, remains steadfast.
“What makes Abundant Water so incredible,” Chris said, “is that our vendors travel these challenging roads to make sales to those in their communities. Even if the road is muddy or partially collapsed, our vendors are able to bring clean water to the most remote locations of the country.”
Thanks to their resilience, Abundant Water continues to reach households, schools, and communities far beyond the main roads—serving the common good, one filter at a time.
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