As a refugee child, there is one thing I wish more Malaysians understood. We are not so different from them.
Many people see the word refugee and immediately think of someone who does not belong to anything.
However, before we become refugees, we had a house, school, friends and dreams.
We didn’t choose to leave the country but we were forced to leave because of war, violence and situations that made it unsafe for our families to stay.
What hurts the most is when people judge us without knowing our stories. Some people think refugee children are a burden and we come to take opportunities away from others.
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In reality, we simply want a chance to live safely and build a better future. We are not asking for special treatment. We only hope to be treated with kindness and respect.
Like every other child, we have dreams. Some of us want to become doctors, teachers, engineers or artists. We want to learn, make friends and help society.
However, achieving these dreams is not always easy. Many refugee children face difficulties in accessing education and opportunities.
Despite these challenges, we continue to work hard because we believe that education can change our lives.
I also wish more Malaysians understood that being a refugee is not our identity. It is only a part of our story.
We are children who laugh, play sports, enjoy music and spend time with our families. We celebrate our achievements and learn from mistakes just like everyone else.
A small act of kindness can mean a lot to us. A smile, a conversation or joining an activity can help us feel accepted by them. When people welcome us and give us hope and confidence, we really appreciate it.
Malaysia is a country known for generosity. I believe that when Malaysians take time to understand refugee children, they will not see us as strangers, but as children with dreams and a lot of potential.
We may come from different places, but we all share the same wish – to live in peace, receive education and have the opportunity to build a better future.
In conclusion, I wish more Malaysians understood that refugee children are not defined by where they come from. We are defined by our courage, our dreams and our determination to create a brighter future despite the challenges we face.
The above article was written by a 15-year-old child in one of two schools run by Selfless Together, a non-profit in Penang that provides free education to refugee and stateless children. For more information, follow the group on Instagram and Facebook: Selfless Together or visit www.selflesstogether.com
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
