Varakai Lda, authorised Starlink reseller, has announced the launch of Starlink for Good, a groundbreaking national initiative to connect remote communities, conservation and research organisations to high-speed satellite internet.

The Lenuk-Tasi Rescue and Conservation Center (LTRCC), a youth-led sea turtle conservation organisation based in Kasait, Ulmera, Liquiçá Municipality, has been selected as the initiative’s founding conservation partner. 

Since 2022, the youth led organisation has released more than 15,000 turtle hatchlings, protected more than 120 nests and delivered more than 80 community awareness campaigns.

Under the new 12 month partnership, Vorakai will provide four Starlink kits and free internet service for a year, connecting LTRCC’s rescue and education hub in Kasait with coastal monitoring activities across Liquiçá, Dili and Bobonaro municipalities.

Vorakai Chairperson Tammy Kassiou said the project demonstrates how satellite connectivity can be used to support practical conservation work in remote areas.

“These young conservationists are walking beaches, protecting nests, releasing thousands of hatchlings and educating communities, often with very limited resources,” Ms Kassiou said.

“Now we are putting powerful technology into their hands.

“Imagine what they can achieve when a young conservationist standing on a remote beach can record a turtle nest, map its exact location and connect that information with researchers and conservation partners around the world.

“This is technology being used for something incredibly tangible, helping protect wildlife and supporting the communities doing the work.”

From the beach to the satellite

The partnership will also fund the development of a purpose built conservation database and tracking system to record coastal patrols, GPS mapped nest locations, egg translocations, incubation outcomes and hatchling releases.

The information will help LTRCC strengthen its conservation programs while supporting scientific research, government reporting and international partnerships.

LTRCC Executive Director Jinu Braz de Araujo said technology could transform the organisation’s ability to monitor sea turtles.

“Through Starlink for Youth we are developing a GPS based tracking and database system that will help us improve the way we monitor and record our conservation activities,” Mr de Araujo said.

“We are particularly excited about the potential to develop satellite supported sea turtle monitoring, patrol and tagging programs.

“For a small conservation organisation in Timor Leste, being connected to the world can make an enormous difference.

“It allows our young people to collect better information, learn, collaborate with others and show the world what is happening along our coastline.”

Turtles could also drive local tourism

The project is also designed to turn conservation into a greater economic opportunity for surrounding communities.

Vorakai will fund the complete redevelopment of LTRCC’s website, creating a bilingual platform enabling online donations, volunteer registrations and bookings for turtle watching and hatchling release experiences.

The longer term objective is to grow community managed ecotourism that supports conservation while creating opportunities for local families and women led enterprises.

“A turtle nesting beach is not only environmentally important. Managed responsibly, it can also create sustainable economic opportunities for the surrounding community,” Ms Kassiou said.

“Visitors can come to experience something extraordinary, spend money locally and directly contribute to protecting the turtles they have travelled to see.”

Four Starlink sites across three municipalities

The partnership will provide:

• Four Starlink kits and 12 months of free connectivity across LTRCC’s conservation network

• A GPS enabled conservation database recording nests, patrols, incubation and hatchling releases

• A completely rebuilt bilingual website supporting donations, volunteers and ecotourism

• Digital capability development to strengthen research, education and international collaboration

• Support for community based conservation tourism benefiting local families and women led enterprises

All four Starlink locations are targeted to become operational during the first quarter of the program.

Vorakai intends to use the project as a model for future partnerships with youth, community, conservation and research organisations across Timor Leste.

“This is about putting Timor Leste’s changemakers on the map, literally and digitally,” Ms Kassiou said.

“LTRCC has already demonstrated what young people can achieve with limited resources.  Our job is to give them better tools and connectivity so they can take that work much further.”

About Lenuk Tasi Rescue and Conservation Center

The Lenuk Tasi Rescue and Conservation Center is a youth led sea turtle conservation organisation based in Kasait, Ulmera, Liquiçá Municipality.

LTRCC conducts coastal monitoring, nest protection, hatchling releases, community education and marine research across Liquiçá, Dili and Bobonaro. Since 2022, it has released more than 15,000 hatchlings and protected more than 120 nests.

About Vorakai Lda

Vorakai Lda is a Timor-Leste-based company committed to delivering innovative technology solutions that enhance connectivity, drive digital transformation and support sustainable national development.

With deep local expertise and a forward-thinking approach, Vorakai is helping shape the future of digital infrastructure across the country