Dalan Hamutuk: the way is together

This morning we woke to the familiar, yet forever chaotic, medley of rooster crows, crashing waves, and laughter drifting in from the village. 

The prospect of formally launching Dalan Hamutuk was quick to get us all out of bed. We brewed a local (i.e. extremely strong) coffee, stepped directly outside to inspect the lively ocean, and got straight into our bathers. Like every morning for the past few weeks, we were running swimming lessons for our Timorese friends.

They arrived with their usual eagerness and unwavering bravery, ready to launch themselves into the ocean regardless of its state. We shared the same unfiltered laughter and stories. But this morning, as we collectively walked towards the ocean, something appeared different. Tracks. Only two of them - each approximately 10cm wide - tracing a peculiar scrambling path across the sand.

Fresh turtle hatchlings! 

We followed the tracks back towards their nest, where two excited dogs were already digging through the sand; uncovering fragments of shell, unhatched eggs, and tiny hatchlings desperately trying to right themselves. Together, we worked to protect the nest and recover the remaining hatchlings. It was then that we realised the extent of the problem. The egg chamber had not only been disturbed by the dogs, but was heavily compacted with rocks; so tightly packed that the hatchlings beneath could barely make their way out. Dozens were still buried in the sand. Exhausted. Unable to move any further.

We contacted our partners at Lenuk Tasi - a youth-led research initiative dedicated to the conservation of threatened aquatic species in Timor-Leste - to determine the best, most ethical way forward. There were dozens of Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) hatchlings; one of the six species of turtles occurring in the waters of Timor-Leste. Unfortunately, they face a plethora of global threats: climate change, rising sea-levels, hunting, predation by pests, marine debris ingestion and entanglement…the list is ever-growing. They need all of the help they can get. 

That brings us to now. At sunset, we released them directly where they were found: in front of the Dalan Hamutuk base. It is surreal to think that these experiences constitute our daily lives here. Immersing in nature. Connecting with community. Creating spaces for people to learn, and being equally grateful to learn in return. Collaborating genuinely with incredible local initiatives. Supporting those [turtle hatchlings] who need it. And nurturing marine conservation that begins not with obligation, but with connection. In this way, Dalan Hamutuk is more than a foundation. It is a way of being. 

On reflection, it is only fitting that, years ago, the movement of Dalan Hamutuk was first inspired by a rekindled connection between a Timorese elder and a turtle. And today, the day that we formally consolidate the movement, Dalan Hamutuk is being released alongside a clutch of rescued Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings (something we have not witnessed in the two years we’ve lived on this beach). This day honours new beginnings, deep-rooted connections, and ongoing collaborations; for the way always was, and forever will be, together. 

♡ the community of DLN HMTK.