“I googled and found out about the IDEAS Academy, their work with refugees, who they were and what were their stories. So, I applied for their internship but it was full. Instead, I asked if I could volunteer. They agreed and I started immediately at the IDEAS Academy. The school was a shop lot, a really nice place, nicer than a government school. I was surprised by how it looked and felt like this place must not have a problem with funding. So I asked, and they told me it is fully funded on donation! They also told me they needed to shut down the school if they had no funds!
I mean, how can you shut down a school for children where nobody wants?!
Then I asked if I could start a crowdfunding page so I did that on my second day at work. I forwarded on WhatsApp messaged to my family and friends and I was so amazed at how people were willing to donate. My neighbours knew me but their friends didn’t and random people were helping! My target was RM8,000 but today I am at RM10,000.
I wish more people knew about the status of refugees. If we give them an education, they can at least go out and do something in the future. “
If you wish to know more about Jasmine’s cause, do check out http://www.ideasacademy.org.my/
Photo and story by Mushamir Mustafa and Yu Ping May — with Jasmin Aizul.
Do you have a story? Let us know here: https://forms.gle/ht4HsvbxgSgcKS5h8
(This post was first published on October 16th 2017)
