The Friends of Same community group was set up by Boroondra Council in 2002 to develop the friendship relationship entered into by the City of Boroondara with Same Sub-District in the District of Manufahi, Timor-Leste, as part of the wider friendship program established by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) to provide community support for the people of the newly independent nation of Timor-Leste, following years of occupation and violence. Timor-Leste is still a developing nation, with high levels of poverty, malnutrition and disease (for example dengue fever, rheumatic heart disease and TB), and there is a continuing need for projects that assist development. 

Over the years Friends of Same has helped to fund a number of initiatives suggested by the Manufahi District Administration and by local organisations. These include scholarships, an education centre for blind and vision impaired people, a coconut oil press for a women's group, helping renovate a birthing room in the maternity hospital, and facilitating transport of medical supplies to Same Hospital.  Friends of Same has funded projects in Same mainly through the sale of Timor Friendship Coffee (see details below and also under the tab 'coffee' for  information about the coffee and how to order.)