OUR
TEAM
Alex Johnson, Director
In 2017, Alex founded Timor Unearthed with the goal of connecting communities in Timor-Leste and Australia through educational tourism. Since then Alex has lead the Timor Unearthed team to facilitate educational travel experiences for Australian student groups, and support the development of sustainable tourism in Timor-Leste. Alex is passionate about improving the standards of tour services through training and developing local cabacity of Timorese tourism workers, and has a particularly interest in health and safety management within the tourism industry. Alex is the main point of contact with our clients and works closely with our group leaders to design tour programs specific to focus areas of learning.
Anas Madeira, Operations Manager
Anas has been working in tourism since 2015. He has lead school and university immersion groups, training tour guides, managing hotels and running motorbike adventure tours. As a Youth Ambassador for the UN Anas has participated in leadership, entrepreneurship and public speaking programs. He has lived, studied and traveled throughout cities in Australia, Japan, Singapore and Indonesia. As our operations manager Anas' role is to organise logistics, participate in stakeholder meetings, and oversee our team of local staff. Anas plays an important role as our senior guide on our programs providing training and mentorship to our junior staff.
Manuela Soares, Tour Coordinator
Manuela holds a Bachelor of Tourism from Dili Institute of Technology and during her studies volunteered as a tour guide on various tourism projects. In July 2022, Manuela joined the Timor Unearthed team as a facilitator on our Domestic Tourism Exchange project in partnership with USAID’s Tourism For All Program. On this program Manuela delivered training and workshop activities as our team connected two of Timor-Leste’s main tourism associations through a variety of practical and class-based learning sessions. As our Tour Coordinator Manuela conducts field research and designs our educational tour programs (including our recent trip with the University of Queenslands Sustainable Energy Program). Manuela looks after our logistic planning and booking confirmations to make sure everything runs smoothly on your trip!
Noberto Da Cruz, Homestay Coordinator
Norberto grew up in the small rural village where our homestay program is based. He has travelled to Australia a number of times including on a 3 month scholarship studying English in Brisbane. For the last 7 years Norberto has worked as translator, driver, and guide for various educational groups visiting Timor-Leste. As our homestay coordinator Norberto's role is to liaise with our homestay families, facilitate activities in the community and assist with training sessions. Our homestay program allows families to diversify their source of income through sustainable tourism. Norberto is passionate about sharing his culture and proud to work in this key role.
Zetania Da Costa, Tour Guide
Zetania joined the Timor Unearthed team in 2022, after graduating from Dili Institute of Technology (DIT) University with a tourism degree. During her study she volunteered as a tour guide and receptionist at Dili’s Tourism Information Centre to help tourists with public transportations, hotels, restaurants, and other sites in Dili city. Zetania is one of our main tour guides and has experience facilitation educational school and university programs, as well as recreational tour groups. Zetania’s loves sharing Timorese history and culture with our travelers and is always up for a laugh!
Romeu de Araújo, Tour Guide
Romeu graduated from Dili Institute of Technology (DIT) with a tourism degree in 2023. His first experience with TU was in 2022, as a student participant on our Domestic Tourism Exchange grant in partnership with USAID. Romeu is from beautiful Atauro Island, and has previously volunteers as a guide for a local NGO, Roman Luan. On our trips, Romeu manages our drivers and vehicles, and looks after all the behind the scenes logistics. He’s love’s organizing games of football and volleyball for our groups with local communities. Romeu is a great singer and guitar player and always teaches our travellers famous Timorese sing-a-longs!
