MYR 339.63
Raised of MYR 45,000.00 target.
0
1%
Over 2 Years
Donors
Funded
Left
THE PROBLEM
We have close to 100 teenage refugee boys studying at our school, which is about half the number of girls. Whilst our girls' attendance remains constant and promising even for online learning sessions throughout the Movement Control Order (MCO), our boys have not been regular to class.
The prolonged MCO period in Malaysia has impacted thousands of refugee families economically, many lost their sources of income doing odd jobs. Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, thus asylum seekers and refugees are living here without any legal framework for their protection. This means, as a transit country, Malaysia does not recognise refugees and asylum seekers access to basic needs such as formal education, healthcare, and employment.
This reality proves to be very challenging particularly for refugees who are vulnerable group such as children, women and the elderlies. UNHCR Malaysia and CSO partners are implementing programmes to support girls and women but little is done to support teenage boys.
Boys, once they age out will be categorised as adult with lesser protection given compared to girls of the same age group.
Teenage boys are expected to shoulder responsibilities similar to the head of the family. We observed our male students have not been regular to school or not performing well during assessments compared to girls. A brief unofficial investigation was carried out to understand this new trend. The feedback is worrying because we found out that a number of our male students are made to work part time as delivery boys or collectors of recyclable items for a few days in a week even during schooling days. Families impacted by the loss of income due to the MCO need to work extra hard for their subsistence, thus teenage boys are sent out to find jobs. Given the choice between allocating some funds for children's education and buying food for the family, parents would choose the latter.
We are very concerned about our boys dropping out of school.
THE SOLUTION
We are exploring funding opportunities from corporate bodies and online crowdfunding platforms to support monthly tuition fees and learning materials for our boys
The funds collected will also be used for capacity building programmes for boys and parents. When girls and women are widely supported for their protection needs and wellbeing, boys aged between 16 -18 years old are considered as young adults capable of fending for themselves. This is not necessarily true particularly for those who have been missing school for a prolonged period of time,
THE IMPACT
Secondary education will enable our male students to find better job opportunities or start something on their own, thus this gives them a better chance at building a dignified life with their families.
Goal Breakdown
Goal 1 - RM125 per student x 100 students x 3 months . Amount Needed: MYR37,500.00
Goal 2 - Administration fees. Amount Needed: MYR7,500.00
Donate now to support education for refugees!
MYR 339.63
Raised of MYR 45,000.00 target.
0
1%
-
Donors
Funded
Left
