How Can We Help?

I cannot help but to acknowledge, part of the reason why Malaysia is not taking in Rohingya refugees only recently is that we had the responsibility and obligation to take care of these refugees in our country all this while, but we chose to be ignorant towards their existence and their cries for help. Last year, Small Changes (the NGO I'm working with) raised funds for Carefugees; an NGO that helps to feed refugees every year. Not only that, we also hope that we could raise awareness as well by calling refugees from Syria, Myanmar etc to be part of our event and share their side of story by which only if they're willing to. Not only was it unbearable, but their call for help will never end as they are stateless. They have no rights to jobs or education. Moving onto today..

The motive of this post is to sort of give you a couple of ideas on'
'How you guys can help and contribute in helping these refugees?'

1. Sign the petitions!
On 15 May 2015, Malaysia’s Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar was quoted as saying: “We have to consider what our people want to see us doing.”
There a few websites that put up petitions that needs your support by signing yourself up for it !
i. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/250/235/804/rescue-the-rohingyas/
ii. https://www.change.org/p/h-e-le-luong-minh-asean-member-states-government-of-malaysia-save-the-migrants-asylum-seekers-stranded-at-sea?recruiter=7666896&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_term=des-lg-share_petition-no_msg
Those are a few websites that was shared among my colleagues, so sign before its too late and let's hope changes will take place !

2. Volunteer at UNHCR Malaysia
A good friend of mine interned at UNHCR Malaysia last year and said much help; no matter what skills you have, is much appreciated ! You can help by teaching these kids as they have no rights to education, provide them skills to sustain themselves and lots more. No harm just by signing yourself up although you may not know how much you are of help @ http://www.unhcr.org.my/Volunteers-@-Volunteers.aspx 
I just registered myself, and hoping that I myself would spare time and energy to support them as well over my Summer break 

3. Support NGOs
There are a few NGOs in Malaysia that are and have been a helping hand to the asylum seekers settling in our beloved country. Do support them by giving them funds or even attend their events. Here's a couple of these NGOs:
1. Carefugees (http://carefugees.org/ )
2. Rohingya Society of Malaysia [RSM] ( http://rohingyasocietyinmalaysia.org/ )
3. UNHCR (not to forget!) 
4. Shelter Home ( http://www.shelterhome.org/index.cfm?menuid=23 )
and recently;
'Rakyat4rakyat' also collaborated with 'Food Aid Foundation' to provide food aid and life jackets 

4. Purchase from Rohingya businesses
In Selayang's Pasar Borong, the Rohingya's are trying their best at making an honest living by selling groceries and vegetables (Not only that, I heard that they're cheaper too!)

5. Be Creative & Spread the awareness !
The change comes from you, and it has to start today. The society has to stop being ignorant on the ones in need in Malaysia (And am not only referring to the refugees). Spread the awareness now, that these people need your help. Organize events, raise funds anyway you like, as long as the message is out there. That we need to help each other cause,
'The moment we stop fighting for each other, that is the moment when humanity is lost' 

Special thanks to all my good friends and colleagues (especially from Small Changes MY) for spreading the idea and many ways on how we can contribute as a community. Let us give a helping hand. And let's start today.

'I do not own rights to all ideas, pictures or videos in this post'