World Refugee Day 2024

The United Nations designated 20 June to celebrate World Refugee Day, to honour refugees around the globe.  The world celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. May this day and the days to come, shine a light on their rights, needs and dreams.

In anticipation of The World Refugee Day, Sr Fiona Yeo brought one of our programme participants of Ahuva Good Shepherd, Marymount Centre to visit an Art Exhibition that has been running from 17 June and will end on 30 June 2024, held at One Holland Village, Singapore.

The Art Exhibition is a collaborative effort between refugee and Singaporean artists. It features illustrated stories from refugees themselves, sharing their journeys, hopes and dreams, and how organisations in Singapore have helped them on their way.

The author of this  inspiring article is our 14 year-old programme participant who has been touched by their stories and said: “I want to crochet so well that I can sell my handicrafts to raise funds to those who need it more than I do” & “hold on to hope…”.

I am a 14 year- old girl living in a children home at Marymount Centre in Singapore. To celebrate World Refugee Day this year, I went to an art exhibition which features 10 organisations in Singapore working with refugees from various countries. Through the illustrations of various artists, I learned about many stories of refugees and how these organisations helped them and gave them hope.

One of the stories that touched me the most was about an Afghanistan refugee who learned to crochet to make handicrafts to support her family. She did so well that she even became a crochet teacher to help others to learn this skill. This is my favourite story because I love to crochet too. For me, I enjoy crocheting because it is my therapeutic safe activity that regulates me. It is also very satisfying when I complete my crochet craft. I never imagined that crocheting can support an entire family or even help others. Now I know that I have an important skill. Someday, I hope that I will be able to do the same as what she did. I want to crochet so well that I can sell my handicrafts to raise funds to those who need it more than I do.

The most important lesson I learnt from all these stories is to hold on to hope no matter what difficult situation we find ourselves in. In all the stories, the refugees always see light at the end of the dark tunnel. Many people asked me if it is difficult to stay in a children home. Of course, I face many challenges, struggles and pain but I know I am far more privileged than these refugees are. I can even go out to see an exhibition about refugees all around the world and learn about these social realities. There are also many other activities organised during the school holidays which I enjoy very much. I am inspired to be hopeful and grateful like them, to choose to be thankful for the glass half full rather than to complain about it being half empty.

Written by: Amber (pseudonym)

 14 year-old programme participant,

Ahuva Good Shepherd, Marymount Centre

Singapore