The world of Tzu Chi June 2021 (Vol.135)

TZU CHI 135 17 MyCARE (Humanitarian Care Malaysia) for refugee children. “Initially, residents in the area objected to such a project of providing refugee children a shelter home within the community. However, over time, the residents became more accommodating as they saw that our children are well behaved, and they keep the living quarters neat and clean,” said MyCARE CEO, Haji Kamarul Zaman. Upon completion of their religious training after three years, these Rohingya children would have to leave the boarding school and carve out their future. The next lap of their journey remains uncertain. What if they could return to their own country? As of March 2021, there are 178,920 refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia. This number could be doubled, if it includes those not registered with UNHCR. This huge number does not hinder the humanitarian work of MyCARE. CEO Kamarul Zaman insists that “we try our best to help those who are eligible”. The CEO believes that all human beings have the obligation to help others in need. “Just imagine the negative impact to our society if such a large number of refugees is left uncared for. MyCARE is trying to extend humanitarian aid to these refugees, getting them ready for whatever is ahead.” After settling down in Malaysia, the next thing these refugees need is a job. They have children to feed. It is a very real and pressing problem. “It is a matter of life and death. In order to survive, anybody would do anything. If we do not bother to look into this problem, there are bound to be problems pertaining to social security in our society.” Who would not want to return to their homeland, if possible? This may be a temporary stopover, albeit a long one for many, and this is the reason MyCARE prefers to treat these refugees as if they are our guests. Would it be more meaningful if, while they are here, we could seek out these people, and help them as much as possible? Hopefully, we could each do our part to help reduce the negative social impact of their presence. The way forward is to allow ourselves a chance to understand their situation, and to work towards a peaceful co-existence. Instilling right values through education The Rohingya refugees constitute the biggest number of refugees in Malaysia. If they are unable to find jobs and feed their families, they may resort to desperate means to stay alive. Kamarul Zaman has made it clear that “once such problems arise, we are the ones who suffer. So, we need to make the public see this point. We are doing all we can to provide education for the refugees, so as to increase their knowledge and the ability for social engagement, thereby bridging the gap between them and us”. From the point of social stability, the many NGOs that serve refugees are helping the nation. Choosing to overlook education as a life-changing tool may give rise to grave consequences. “I guess you still remember the arson case of a religious boarding school.” Kamarul Zaman was referring to a case that happened in 2017, where a religious school in Kuala Lumpur was set on fire, taking the lives of 21 students and 2 wardens. I Was Told to Run, and to Run Quickly