The Barefoot Hero Doctor: Timor Leste

In all tragedies, whether natural disasters or conflicts, there is always a hero of the situation that emerges as a shining light. In Timor Leste this hero comes in the form of a barefoot Australian doctor.

This guy is amazing at the age of 62 and as fit as a mallee bull!. A resident of Timor Leste, John James came to East Timor from Perth in October 1999, aboard HMAS Jervis Bay well before the elections were held in the country. He soon realised that the health conditions were extremely poor and was eager to see if traditional medicine could be applied to help the situation there.

He understands the lives of the Timorese and his daily diet of rice and banana flowers with the occasional piece of chicken, and his lean frame, attest to that. His medical kit, computer, camera, vehicle and just about everything else he owned, including a laser spectrometer, have been stolen. So the former Sydney man, who has just one chair, operates on a shoestring.

An interesting an incredible man and a saint in the eyes of many Timorese people. Anyone wishing to help John James can contact him at PO Box 1001, Comoro, Dili, Timor Leste. Contributions will definitely get to the people most in need.