The UNITED TIMOR DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION* (UTDF), is an Indonesian-based non-profit organization based in Atambua, Belu District, NTT, Indonesia.
Founded in 2023, UTDF honours the 2022 commitment and vision of Colin Barlow (deceased December 2022) and Ria of responding to requests for development assistance from communities in West Timor in the Districts of Belu, Malaka and North Central Timor. Activities extended to Timor Leste (TLE) in Dili, Suai and Oekusi in March 2025.
Dr. Ria Gondorwarsito, Chair of UTDF, together with Rev John Naihati (Head UTDF) and field staff, have responded to community identified needs in Belu District, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. In March 2025, they responded to requests for assistance from poor communities in the outskirts of Dili, Suai and Oekusi in Timor L'Este.
Funding from the United Nations Women's Guild (UNWG), Rome. has enabled the building of 7 ferro-cement water tanks and 7 disability-accessible (GEDSI-Gender Equity Disability Social Inclusion) toilets. By July 2025 with other donations, the UTDF was able to assist communities to build 120 water tanks and 20 disability toilets in the three Districts, and in Timor L'este.
*previously known as the Colin Barlow Ria Foundation
To address the communities' basic needs including providing acccess to water and sanitation, and improving health and wellbeing and standards of living.
To support communities in their committment to scaling up of community development acttvities of their choice and priority needs.
Alleviating poverty in West Timor (districts of Belu, Malaka, North Central Timor) and Timor L'Este, by empowering communities to help themselves.
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Construction of water tanks with a capacity of 15,000 liters per family
Read MoreThis pilot project in the District of Malaka addresses food security issues through a focus on adopting maize and rice prolonged and sustainable storage.
The UTDF team undertook a Needs Assessment in Hera Dili in March 2025, in response to a request for water and sanitation improvements. This included a request for 15,000 Lt ferro cement water tanks and GEDSI (disabled friendly) toilets.
To keep teachers up-to-date with changing national curricula, remote area Elementary School Teacher Training was conducted as a pilot project in the Disrtict of Belu. The success of that project highlighted the need for teacher training in both Elementary and Middle Schools in other remote areas, particularly in Malaka and TTU. Training addresses updating teachers' skills and national curriculum knowledge.
To address the community needs identified in these 3 Districts, UTDF is working closely with the Catholic Archdiocese of Jakarta to deliver Water & Sanitation, Education, Agriculture and Livestock projects.
This feed variety is for breeding and fattening livestock such as goats, pigs and cattle, which has been well adopted in NTT. The Lamtoro Taramba (Leucaena Psyllid) also provides a vital protection against insects and pests. This variety is easily grown and highly resilient to climatic change - therefore extremely advantageous for maintaining livestock in drought prone areas.
Atambua of Belu, is about 20 km from the border of Timor L'Este (TLE). The influx of TLE refugees started in 1999 which quickly made Atambua a big town, the second largest on West Timor behind Kupang, and the fourth largest in NTT. The District of Belu covers an area of 1,127.3 km2.
Betun of Malaka, borders with Belu District in the northern part, with TTU and TTS on the western part. In the southern part Malaka borders with the Timor Sea and on the eastern part, with TLE and therefore also recipient of TLE refugees. Malaka District covers an area of 1,109.2 km2.
Kefamenanu, capital of TTU (Timor Tengah Utara), borders with the enclave of TLE in Oekusi/Ambeno. The city hosts less TLE refugees except in the areas closest to the TLE border. Its topography consists of both mountainous and flat areas. TTU covers an area of 623.2 km2.
Suai is a part of Covalima District in Timor-Leste (TLE), located near the western border with Indonesia, adjacent to the Malaka District. It is one of the key agricultural centers, known for its rice and maize production due to the fertile plains and irrigation systems in the area. Suai covers an area of 202,6 km2 with a population of 9,866 (census 2015)
Oekusi (also spelled Oecusse), officially known as the Oecusse-Ambeno Special Administrative Region, is an enclave of Timor-Leste (TLE) located within the Indonesian territory. The region includes both coastal lowlands and hilly interior terrain. Oekusi covers an area of approximately 814 km2.
Dili the capital city of Timor-Leste (TLE), is situated on the northern coast of the island along the Ombai Strait. As the largest city and main port of the country, Dili serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of Timor-Leste. Dili covers an area of about 368 km2.
Please join us in our journey to innovate and respond to the needs of the communities of the UTDF. Your support will be life changing for the people of this part of NTT and Timor Leste.
As we value transparency and good governance practices, our donors may request to see our financial statements. We welcome your support of the work of the UTDF. Please donate directly to:
Your support helps us continue our mission of community development and empowerment.
Founder United Timor Development Foundation
