I have always been saying that whatever you read in the mainstream media, it is SO
political motion and politically inclined. Be it whatever videos, some death, kids missing,
development projects, officially announcing of public holidays and everything else.
I just find it that way and I shall have my further say later on…

Yesterday Rue told me sudden change of the government’s plan to move the public
holiday to 28th and it is all over the news. True? I don’t watch news weh!!
If it is true, my reason to my boss will be “I don’t watch news on TV” :P

Over to my main topic..

Last weekend, before the Nuffnang Traffic Jam event I went to visit the Myanmar
Refugee Community at Cheras. I felt the need and want to visit this place after I read
about it at Shelley’s blog.

Citizens of any country seeking asylum or refuge in our beloved country are somewhat
considered as illegals. It is because Malaysia has yet and will not sign the UN Refugee
Treaty which countries like Australia and New Zealand has already signed.

Last year, our Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid said

“We have given humane treatment to these people who have come to this country illegally. It is a transition, but it is becoming a flood.”

These refugees here in Malaysia are under the United Nation care and they are here
just passing their days until UN finds a place for them in countries where they accept
refugee asylum. Place are limited and all they do is wait and wait to be relocated.

So…

Every weekend, a few volunteers from the Church of St. Francis of Assisi will cook a
meal and bring it over to the refugee centre where the kids will be schooling during
weekdays and weekends.

Last week, it was chicken rendang. The cooking will be done at the church compound
and then brought over to the kids at the school which is about 10 minutes away.

So where is this school? The school is just one unit of apartment. This apartment is
located in Cheras (i forget the name) where numerous Myanmar families are also
staying. The condition this school is nothing great but sufficient for the children to
run their daily activities of learning.

This is the guest hall. It is also used as a learning room when there more children
comes to this school. Currently, it is not being utilized yet.

This apartment also house a caretaker who is also a Myanmar national. He takes care
of the children and earns a small income as construction worker in Shah Alam.

Like I said, the house is just nice and they live in a very modest environment.
More than what they would have enjoy back in their country.

Imagine these refugees pay more than RM2,000 just to come here and also for the
betterment of their lives while we Malaysians are crying fowl over increase in fuel
prices, toll prices, limited supplies of flours and etc…

These refugees have to just live on what they have. The meal the volunteers cooked
for them last weekend is just chicken rendang complimented with slices of breads.
Some other days they just have to make do with rice and simple vegetable soup.
Else, they will have to skip a lunch meal and just have dinner.

Just like what Matthew said, when he is with these refugees, he does not feel poor
neither felt bad when his condition is bad. Matthew is helping these refugees on a full
time basis. Trying very hard to reach out to the people out there to help this refugee
communities in whatever way he can.

He have only god to thank that till date, there are donors and well wishers to help
support the refugees but it is still not sufficient for this large community of more than
100 people. What you are seeing now is just children in the communities.

It might just be chicken rendang and bread but the children are all happy.

After lunch, the apartment is transformed to a study school. Where there will be two
separate classes for Pre-School children and another Primary School children.
What a multi-purpose-apartment huh?

That’s Matthew in black tee at the back there.. :)

There are few volunteers offering their skills in teaching the children. I had difficulty
communicating with the children as they speak very minimal english. Over here, they
are willing to learn. Imagine what would it be like back in their home country.

The volunteer teachers are neither teacher in profession. This lady is an accountant
as profession and she offered her time to teach these children English.

While the younger ones in Pre-School learns nursery rhymes. I was nearly in tears
when despite their condition, they are happy and contend.

While for me, I struggle and yet sometimes complaint of everything that is around me.
Just listen to them sing, when I was taking a video of them and see how cheerful.

If you have read this and think that you would love to lend a helping hand, below are
the contact persons you can get in touch with.When it comes to the term “refugee“, many people just shun it from their helping hand
and also shy away. It could be of many reasons why and also due to corporate values
and many other things. But I only have one conclusion to it.
Contradiction with your self or corporate or country values or not, they are human
like me and you and they are here surviving their days to be relocated.

I’m going to lend my helping hand. ARE YOU?

This seems to be a very long post… O_O