From Editor’s Desk
Dear readers,
It’s amazing to know the various skills refugees bring into this country, especially delicious ethnic culinary, beading and embroidery skills, and unique handicrafts.
SPF recently initiated a skills-exchange programme with YWCA-VTOC. Refugee women taught the art of fruit and vegetable carving to 19 VTOC students, and beading to 15 other VTOC students. In exchange, VTOC trainers provided baking lessons to 40 refugee women.
YOUTH COLLECTIVES
“We want a platform to discuss, share and decide on issues concerning refugee youths”, says Andrew, the newly elected chairperson of Youth Collectives (YC). YC is a new initiative
by SPF to foster sustainable youth teams from diverse refugee groups.
Currently the YC comprises Sri Lankan, Myanmar and Somali refugee youths. They have enlisted members aged 14 to 25 years regardless of their gender, ethnicity, or religion. There are now 26,910 refugees youths aged between 14-25 years registered with UNHCR.
Dear readers,
It’s amazing to know the various skills refugees bring into this country, especially delicious ethnic culinary, beading and embroidery skills, and unique handicrafts.
SPF recently initiated a skills-exchange programme with YWCA-VTOC. Refugee women taught the art of fruit and vegetable carving to 19 VTOC students, and beading to 15 other VTOC students. In exchange, VTOC trainers provided baking lessons to 40 refugee women.
YOUTH COLLECTIVES
“We want a platform to discuss, share and decide on issues concerning refugee youths”, says Andrew, the newly elected chairperson of Youth Collectives (YC). YC is a new initiative
by SPF to foster sustainable youth teams from diverse refugee groups.
Currently the YC comprises Sri Lankan, Myanmar and Somali refugee youths. They have enlisted members aged 14 to 25 years regardless of their gender, ethnicity, or religion. There are now 26,910 refugees youths aged between 14-25 years registered with UNHCR.
Refugees from Myanmar and Afghanistan for instance, still preserve their traditional skills which are slowly dying in an increasingly modern world. Those are skills that are highly valued.
Refugees are willing to teach, if Malaysians are willing to learn. Skills and knowledge exchanges will help to foster peaceful co-existence among refugees and local communities. And it is greatly empowering for both sides.
Be the one to initiate it! Contact SPF to
learn how you can help.
The group’s vision is to unite refugee youths, provide learning opportunities
for them and establishing PEACE between local and refugee youths.
At the YC elections held on 21 June 2012, and attended by 55 youths, 13 executive committee members were elected. They have taken responsibility to implement four projects – peer counseling support, advance IT course, fundraising through cultural night and outreach for membership.
It’s very fulfilling to see young people interacting with each other despite
cultural and language barriers, for a common, good cause.
Refugees are willing to teach, if Malaysians are willing to learn. Skills and knowledge exchanges will help to foster peaceful co-existence among refugees and local communities. And it is greatly empowering for both sides.
Be the one to initiate it! Contact SPF to
learn how you can help.
The group’s vision is to unite refugee youths, provide learning opportunities
for them and establishing PEACE between local and refugee youths.
At the YC elections held on 21 June 2012, and attended by 55 youths, 13 executive committee members were elected. They have taken responsibility to implement four projects – peer counseling support, advance IT course, fundraising through cultural night and outreach for membership.
It’s very fulfilling to see young people interacting with each other despite
cultural and language barriers, for a common, good cause.
REFUGEE EMPOWERMENT TRAINING
by SPF Team
When they stepped off the bus at the Skytrex Adventure Park that Sunday morning on 8 July, none of the community project coordinators ever imagined that the empowerment training they were about to undergo would include them wearing a harness, being blindfolded, and made to walk backwards on pipes suspended 20 meters above the ground!
Guided by two volunteers from the Netherlands, Cynthia and Roderick, the project coordinators spent the day learning teamwork on a whole new level, with fresh perspectives. The first half was spent brushing up on their theoretical knowledge.
When they stepped off the bus at the Skytrex Adventure Park that Sunday morning on 8 July, none of the community project coordinators ever imagined that the empowerment training they were about to undergo would include them wearing a harness, being blindfolded, and made to walk backwards on pipes suspended 20 meters above the ground!
Guided by two volunteers from the Netherlands, Cynthia and Roderick, the project coordinators spent the day learning teamwork on a whole new level, with fresh perspectives. The first half was spent brushing up on their theoretical knowledge.
After a quick lunch, they then spent the afternoon completing the practical training component, which included devising ways to ensure an egg stayed intact after a 2-meter drop!
Then came time to cast aside any fear of heights and test their agility when they got to walk, crawl, glide and swing from tree to tree to complete the aerial challenges.
Needless to say, the project coordinators thoroughly enjoyed the experience. They left Skytrex feeling empowered, motivated and eager to put their newly-acquired skills to good use in managing their SPF projects.
Then came time to cast aside any fear of heights and test their agility when they got to walk, crawl, glide and swing from tree to tree to complete the aerial challenges.
Needless to say, the project coordinators thoroughly enjoyed the experience. They left Skytrex feeling empowered, motivated and eager to put their newly-acquired skills to good use in managing their SPF projects.
Rohingya children on par with local kids!
by Soraya Alkaff-Gilmour, Soroptomist International Johor
The Kulai School children did their first ever performance at Taman Sutera Mall on 14 July. The school was opened on the 2 May, and now they have shown and given themselves a chance to prove that they are "on par" with our local children.
Three student interns from AIESEC - Jam (Vietnam), Pamela (China) and Joanne (Hong Kong) managed in 3 weeks to organize different ethnic songs and dances. With the great help of our teachers, Mary and Elizabeth, the children were dancing and shaking along with Bollywood music, with two solo singers who put P. Ramlee to shame!!
The good news is that the Management of Taman Sutera Development Sdn Bhd has kindly promised to look into helping the school in response to our “very long wish list". They contributed to the purchasing of costumes for the 22 children who participated in the event. They also treated the kids to a great meal at KFC after the performance.
We wish to say a special thank you to one of the parents, Mr. Aziz, in helping us get a free bus to shuttle the children.
For those who missed the performance - we have another show at 1.00pm on 4 August at the same place. We sincerely hope to see you all there!
The Kulai School children did their first ever performance at Taman Sutera Mall on 14 July. The school was opened on the 2 May, and now they have shown and given themselves a chance to prove that they are "on par" with our local children.
Three student interns from AIESEC - Jam (Vietnam), Pamela (China) and Joanne (Hong Kong) managed in 3 weeks to organize different ethnic songs and dances. With the great help of our teachers, Mary and Elizabeth, the children were dancing and shaking along with Bollywood music, with two solo singers who put P. Ramlee to shame!!
The good news is that the Management of Taman Sutera Development Sdn Bhd has kindly promised to look into helping the school in response to our “very long wish list". They contributed to the purchasing of costumes for the 22 children who participated in the event. They also treated the kids to a great meal at KFC after the performance.
We wish to say a special thank you to one of the parents, Mr. Aziz, in helping us get a free bus to shuttle the children.
For those who missed the performance - we have another show at 1.00pm on 4 August at the same place. We sincerely hope to see you all there!
Our best wishes to Soroptomist International Johor, for their tireless contribution to refugees, especially for the Rohingya refugee community.
Source : SPF, UNHCR Malaysia
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