“If we want our school to grow and improve in the future, we must focus on shaping students’ character. If a student has good character, he or she will be more willing to contribute to the school’s development.” Said Betinho da Costa Ramos (17), Grade 11 student, at Colégio Santo Inácio de Loiola (CSIL), Kasait.
Being a student at CSIL is a dream come true for Betinho. “CSIL has been my dream school since I was in primary school, especially because my sister studied here. I feel lucky and grateful that my parents support me in pursuing my studies here,” Betinho shared.
Betinho is among the CSIL students who recently represented their school at the East Timor Region (ETR) Education Cluster meeting held last month. The meeting was organized and led by Regional Superior Fr. Erik John J. Gerilla, SJ together with other Jesuit education projects in the region.
“For me, participating in the cluster meeting was a great privilege because I was representing my fellow students,” Betinho said. He attended the event alongside his schoolmate Bilia, two students from Nossa Senhora de Fátima (NOSSEF) in Railaco, and two more from Instituto São João de Brito (ISJB), all schools under Jesuit Educations Project.
Betinho has been studying at CSIL for five years, having started in 2020. Today, he is recognized as one of the top students at Loyola, but his journey wasn’t always smooth. “I used to be quite arrogant and always wanted to be the best. Because my sister studied here before me, I thought I knew everything about the school. That attitude hurt my academic performance,” he admitted.
CSIL, as part of the Jesuit education, emphasizes the importance of Ignatian values—Compassion, Conscience, Competence, and Commitment (4Cs). These values, along with practices like the Examen, retreats, and recollections, have significantly impacted Betinho’s personal and academic life.
“I think the Ignatian Examen, retreats, and the 4Cs have helped me become more self-aware,” he reflected. “One friend in particular, Espedito, has inspired me since my first year at Colégio St. Inácio de Loyola. He was always in the Top 10 and worked very hard.”
Watching Espedito’s consistent dedication motivated Betinho to improve himself. “People often chose him to lead and organize activities. That inspired me to take my formation at CSIL more seriously. I struggled at first, but over time, I started to grow, both personally and academically,” he explained.
Although he failed his first attempt to join the Student Council, Betinho succeeded on his second try and is now a council member. He values student interaction and makes it a point to talk with peers who tend to be quiet. “I love spending time with my schoolmates, especially those who don’t talk much. I believe that by talking to them, they feel seen and cared for. It also helps us become friends and support each other,” he said.
Reflecting on the ETR Cluster meeting, Betinho expressed gratitude for the opportunity. “It was a moment of happiness and pride. For the first time, I took part in a high-level meeting where teachers and directors genuinely cared about students’ opinions on the learning process and school activities.”
He appreciated the structure of the meeting—the discussions, the presentations, and the openness of the process—and recommended that schools adopt similar methods. “This would give teachers and students more quality time to discuss important matters.”
For Betinho, studying at a Jesuit school goes beyond academics. It has helped him become more aware of the world around him—his family, friends, and daily experiences.
“Nothing is ever too late for someone willing to improve their future and change their mindset,” -Robert Floyd. Betinho’s story proves that determination and the right environment can truly transform a life.
Writer: Iriana Soares–ETR Communications Officer