The Canossa Magalhães Training Center (CMTC) Lecidere, has the commitment to environmental stewardship. It has always been a value-driven motivation and objective. For nine long years, the goal of achieving Zero Plastic on the campus has remained a profound dream and a great desire—a crucial campaign to protect environment and instill responsibility in all components, teachers and students.
Last month, that dream takes a monumental step toward becoming a reality. We are overwhelmed with gratitude to have received a transformative gift from the Archdiocese of Dili, made possible through the profound generosity of His Excellency Cardinal Virgílio do Carmo Da Silva, SDB: a filtered drinking fountain.
This gift is more than just a piece of equipment; it is the catalyst that allows us to finally move onward with our Zero Plastic campaign.
We acknowledge that this shift will mean the end of our small earnings from selling aqua bee in plastic bottles at the canteen. However, this is a negligible loss. The bigger, immeasurable gain is the contribution we will make to saving Dili from plastic pollution. This action will count for more than any monetary profit.
With our hearts full, we say a profound Thank You to the Archdiocese of Dili, in particular to Cardinal Virgílio. There is no greater gift than this, for while it directly benefits the students and children of CMTC, it is actually a gift for the good of the whole city of Dili—saving it and helping to keep it clean.
CMTC goes for Zero Plastic! We are proud to lead
by example and inspire our community toward a cleaner, healthier future.
By: Sr. Sonia Sangel, FdCC
CMTC/7 December 2025