United Nations bring asylum seekers' plight to light through art
Thursday, June 21, 2012 - 14:21
Location:
IPOH
AGAINST
ALL ODDS: The winners of the art competition with Vernon (second from
left) and Henry (right) holding up the canvas bag printed with Mary's
painting
AT 12, he was forced to flee his homeland. His only link to his father now is one precious phone call a month.
All Zein Iapipd wants is for his country Palestine to be at peace so that he can return home.
Having called Malaysia home for the last five years, Zein was one of many refugee children who attended the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' (UNHCR) World Refugee Day event at Bangsar Village 1 yesterday.
He was one of the participants in an art competition organised for the refugee children, whose winning artworks would be displayed at the mall.
He won a consolation prize for his piece, which featured a painting of a bird framed by a heart.
"I want my country to be free like a bird. I want a future for my family where we can all live in peace and love each other."
UNHCR celebrated World Refugee Day yesterday to recognise and raise awareness on their plight. Among the guests were former Miss Universe Malaysia and refugee rights advocate Deborah Priya Henry.
UNHCR representative Alan Vernon hoped the event would encourage Malaysians to step forward and help in their own capacity.
The art competition this year was held in collaboration with local bag designer Gin & Jacqie.
Gin & Jacqie designed and sponsored canvas bags printed with the artwork of first prize winner, 15-year-old Mary Mang Hou Cing. The bags went on sale yesterday.
All profits from the sales will be donated to refugee education programmes in Malaysia.
The bags will be available at www.ginjacqie.com and Cziplee, Bangsar for RM24.
Mary, from Myanmar, painted a picture in memory of her mentally-ill mother who died a few years ago.
Mary said while her mother struggled with fleeing the violence of her own country and battling her unstable mental condition, she never failed to ensure Mary felt loved, even in the most difficult times.
Mary received the first prize for her art piece titled "Love" and will have her art printed on the canvas bag to be sold under a fundraising initiative called "Art With Heart: A Refugee Art Project".
She has been living in Malaysia for three years and aspires to be a fashion designer.
As of April, there are 98,100 refugees and asylum seekers registered with the UNHCR in Malaysia.
Out of these are 20,000 children below the age of 18 who do not have access to formal education and a nurturing environment.
All Zein Iapipd wants is for his country Palestine to be at peace so that he can return home.
Having called Malaysia home for the last five years, Zein was one of many refugee children who attended the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' (UNHCR) World Refugee Day event at Bangsar Village 1 yesterday.
He was one of the participants in an art competition organised for the refugee children, whose winning artworks would be displayed at the mall.
He won a consolation prize for his piece, which featured a painting of a bird framed by a heart.
"I want my country to be free like a bird. I want a future for my family where we can all live in peace and love each other."
UNHCR celebrated World Refugee Day yesterday to recognise and raise awareness on their plight. Among the guests were former Miss Universe Malaysia and refugee rights advocate Deborah Priya Henry.
UNHCR representative Alan Vernon hoped the event would encourage Malaysians to step forward and help in their own capacity.
The art competition this year was held in collaboration with local bag designer Gin & Jacqie.
Gin & Jacqie designed and sponsored canvas bags printed with the artwork of first prize winner, 15-year-old Mary Mang Hou Cing. The bags went on sale yesterday.
All profits from the sales will be donated to refugee education programmes in Malaysia.
The bags will be available at www.ginjacqie.com and Cziplee, Bangsar for RM24.
Mary, from Myanmar, painted a picture in memory of her mentally-ill mother who died a few years ago.
Mary said while her mother struggled with fleeing the violence of her own country and battling her unstable mental condition, she never failed to ensure Mary felt loved, even in the most difficult times.
Mary received the first prize for her art piece titled "Love" and will have her art printed on the canvas bag to be sold under a fundraising initiative called "Art With Heart: A Refugee Art Project".
She has been living in Malaysia for three years and aspires to be a fashion designer.
As of April, there are 98,100 refugees and asylum seekers registered with the UNHCR in Malaysia.
Out of these are 20,000 children below the age of 18 who do not have access to formal education and a nurturing environment.
Source : http://www.mmail.com.my
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