Many of us live our lives oblivious to
what’s happening around us. How often do we remind our kids how
fortunate they are when there are other less fortunate kids out there
who some, don’t have the luxury of cuddling with their loved ones, or
have a formal education or just have a childhood?
The United Nations Refugee Agency Malaysia
(UNHCR) is mandated to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugess
and asylum-seekers worldwide and they have been working to protect and
assist refugess in Malaysia since 1975.
These refugees are not criminals nor are
they parasites. Their intention is not to take away the jobs in the
country. They are courageous people with strength and determination to
move on and build new lives for themselves with hopes that one day,
their country will be safe for them to go back to and if not, they just
want to have a chance to have a life – like everyone else. There are not
only men and women involved but also children – who’s only hope is to
have a normal childhood with lots of love and an education. 13,800
refugee children in Malaysia are of school-going age and less than 40%
of them have no access to formal education. Those that do have access
to a formal education attend classes that are run by UNHCR and NGOs or
community-based education classes that are organized by refugee
communities themselves. However, these children are no as lucky as our
children. They have classes in cramped, rented shop houses or flats
where the rooms are converted into classrooms and are mostly lack of
basic teaching facilities and qualified teachers.
UNHCR seeks long term solutions for
refugees including finding them new homes in third countries or helping
them return home voluntarily when it is safe to do so. While they are
seeking temporary protection in Malaysia, UNHCR works with partners to
create a safe and secure environment for them where their basic needs
are met.
In the spirit of spreading the word about the Refugee Camp, GIN & JACQIE™ threw an art contest for the children and called it Art with Heart : A Refugee Art Project.
The children were provided with all the necessary materials which included the theme – ‘Happiness’.
Mary, a 15 year old refugee child from
Myanmar was chosen out of hundreds of children. Her piece was an ode to
her mother whom she had lost recently.
”I painted love,” said Mary, “When my mother passed away, I was scared. But I know her love is always with me. And that makes me happy.”
GIN & JACQIE™ printed her artwork onto canvas bags, and these bags are available for purchase from here
starting 20th June 2012. All proceeds will go to the aid of education
for the children, which includes basic needs, books, and stipends for
teachers.
If you would like to be a volunteer or
just find out more about the refugees in Malaysia and what UNHCR is
doing to help them, log on to www.unhcr.org.my.
Spread the word on how we can support the refugees in Malaysia. Do your bit in giving back to the society.
Source : http://www.mom2ashley.com
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