The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.107)

44 2019 • 02 lobal Presence Sometimes, we take things for granted. We complain because we do not get what we want, but to the refugees, something little to us is something big for them. The following day, we visited some refugees at their homes. One case we visited stood out from the others. It was a family of eight with three boys and three girls. The oldest child in the family was 18 years old, while the youngest was 3. They were all born in Syria, and had escaped to Turkey. Their father was sent to jail for three years for doing nothing wrong. After being helped by some organization, their father was able to go to Turkey. Unfortunately, the soldiers returned again and asked the kids where their father was, but they did not know. Because of all that, the soldiers assumed that their father was against the party; and the family, including the kids, soon found themselves separated from one another in damp cells filled with mice. I could not find a reason why the innocent kids should be sent to jail. Why make them live in such a miserable place and take away their dreams? For the rest of their lives, they are probably going to be scared! It was not until a year later that the familywas released from jail, following a trade made between the two parties. Then, through a lot of sophisticated work, the family finally gained contact with one another and were reunited in Turkey. We also learnt that the family had only moved into the rented room that they lived in for 15 days when we visited. Many of us turned teary listening to them sharing their encounters. I looked at the kids’ faces. Their smiles had drifted away, replaced with a frown. I shared their grief, and was mad at the people for starting this prolonged war. I felt sorry for them, and for their father, who had been beaten up so badly that he is now unable to lift his hands up above his head. I also got to meet Ahmed Jned, who is in his early 20s. He escaped from Syria carrying some clothes, some essentials, and something that he truly valued – his test results. He came to Turkey to seek education, and really wanted to complete his studies. Unfortunately, when he came to Turkey, he realized that he needed to work to earn a living. Now, after his working hours, he would go to El Menahil International School to learn. In the future, he wishes to become a pharmacist. I felt really bad for all these refugees. They were forced to leave their homes, the place that they had grown up in; their country, which was their homeland; all because of the war. And every one of them had a different story to tell. Some of them had developed trauma because of the war, while others had their smiles and expressions erased off their faces. All the innocent people, once civilians, are now refugees, just because of the war. But regardless, they are still human beings, and should be treated equally. As one who strongly believes in giving back to the community, I think it is our responsibility to help the Syrian refugees in any way we can. Eleven-year-old Chan Zhi Hong joined his parents to extend care to the Syrian refugees in Turkey. His father, Dr Eddie Chan (left), is a Paediatrician and Coordinator of TIMA KL & Selangor. [Photograph by Fu Wing Hoong]