Lend a helping hand to these refugee children

If we had a roof over our head, food on the table, a family and a few good friends, we are more fortunate than most people in the world.

My name is Eemei and I am a volunteer to refugee children at a Myanmar learning centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Malaysia has the biggest refugee population in Southeast Asia. As of end July 2019, there are some 178,010 refugees and asylum-seekers registered with UNHCR in Malaysia - and some 45,390 children below the age of 18.

Malaysia is not a party to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, which means refugees have no legal status - including having no rights to official work or attend public schools in the country. Consequently, refugees are at heightened risk for depression and mental health disorders.

Refugee children are often denied normal childhood; the things that we take for granted such as going to school or participating in outdoor games, but mostly as children the freedom to enjoy life. A lot of these children are malnourished and often drop out of school early to support their families. Education is a human right, not a privilege.

I will be celebrating a milestone birthday this November and in lieu of gifts/money/meal, I'm aiming to raise USD 1500, all of which will be donated to the learning centre that has approximately 65 students from preschool to secondary education.

The funds will be used for:

1. Children's Day celebration (movie, food, transport, activities) - USD 500

2. Educational resources (books, board games, art supplies) - USD 300

3. Monthly contribution (outing/classroom activities) - USD 100 per month x 6 (from Jan-June 2020)

4. Food/Snacks for students - USD 100

To view my journey as a volunteer, please check out the video attached.

To ensure transparency, I will share weekly updates and how the funds will be deployed on my blog at www.eemei.co

Every bit counts. Your gift might not change the world but will certainly change lives. Thank you and God bless!

"I alone can't change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples" - Mother Theresa