By Wong Sze Zen, World Vision Singapore
So many deadlines, so little time; so many bills, so little money; so many responsibilities, so few rewards - these may be some of the thoughts that overwhelm our minds as we go through the daily grind. Life, sometimes just seems to sigh a never-ending: “Stress, stress and more stress!” It is no wonder then, that our spirits may become dimmed and drained.
Some 70 World Vision supporters and friends had a reality check on how “stressful” life really is as we witnessed the undying spirits of two very special guests from Cambodia at World Vision Singapore’s Children in Crisis gathering held in Furama RiverFront Hotel on June 3, 2009.
Here are their stories:
Child Refugee turned Advocate |
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Haidy Ear-Dupuy became a child refugee when she was only seven. Now, she is an inspiring advocate for the poor. |
In the 1970s, thousands of Vietnamese fled their homes to seek refuge in neighbouring countries. Not knowing their fate with every gust of wind or tremble of wave, they sailed for months to reach safer shores. They became known as the “boat people”.
One of the guest speakers at the event, Haidy Ear-Dupuy, was only seven when she crammed into a wooden boat with her five sisters, brother and parents and fought the harsh seas to arrive in Indonesia.
Her family was turned away by the local refugee camp and they had to endure the uncertainty of ever finding a place to call home. After some two years of dangerous relocations, they finally arrived in America and were fostered by a kind family.
Although surrounded by love and care, Haidy spent her childhood joylessly after being psychologically marred by her traumatic experience. She felt that it was wrong to be happy. However, her undying spirit gave her a breakthrough when she became an adult.
Equipped with a deep understanding on social issues and inspired by poet John Donne’s famous quote, “No man is an island”, Haidy decided to stop dwelling on her misfortunes and return the blessings in her life. She migrated to Cambodia and is now the voice for needy children, serving as the Advocacy & Communications Manager of World Vision Cambodia.
With deep passion, Haidy shared on poverty issues and the street children projects that she works with. She sees the pain and loss in the children’s eyes and wants to lift them from drowning deeper, much like the way she found strength to endure and survive her childhood.
Being a voice for the voiceless, Haidy’s work garners support for these children to have a better future to look forward to. World Vision seeks to give them a solid foundation by putting them in school; keeping them safe from lurking human traffickers and child abusers by giving them a safe shelter; and other interventions so that they can have a better life. Haidy’s heart aches as she sees children on the streets with big dreams of becoming doctors and other professionals, yet they are working day and night collecting scraps instead of having the opportunity to go to school. This drives her to work harder to encourage the children and those who are able to lend a helping hand.
Click here to watch a video on street children.
The Power of a Little Voice |
After hearing from a former child refugee’s testimony of enormous strength, Ra, a child living with HIV and AIDS, shared his journey of losing his parents to HIV and AIDS to becoming a fervent advocate on the issue. Click here to watch a video on Ra.
Guests were taken aback when we learned that Ra is 13 despite his lithe stature. Within his little body, soft and gentle voice, lies a giant’s strength. Ra’s mother was HIV positive and had transmitted the disease to him at birth. Ra and his eight-year-old brother, Rith, have no one to turn to after their parents died of AIDS. Relatives they turned to mistreated them due to the stigma linked to the disease. Ra struggled to survive and to protect Rith.
An aunt, affectionately called “Ah Yee” by the boys, heard of their situation and took them into her home. Despite having to care for three other young children and an ailing husband, Ah Yee makes sure that Ra and Rith are well fed, go to school and are happy. Ah Yee promptly contacts World Vision as they live in an assisted area to make sure that Ra and Rith receive all the help they can get to live a full life.
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Ra and Rith are well-taken care off by their beloved Ah Yee. |
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After the presentation, guests stayed back to read the profiles of children who are waiting for sponsorship. |
More than two years have since passed. Ra, having gone through the suffering of being stigmatised by HIV and AIDS, understands that it is due to insufficient awareness. He is now a passionate advocate and he hopes people know that it is all right to interact and play with people living with the disease; that you can live in the same house with children like him and also inspire others living with HIV and AIDS to not lose faith and lead a purposeful life.
Ra suffers from severe diarrhoea, headache and sinus congestion that gives him painful, sleepless nights, but his zest to strive and excel prevail any roadblocks. He tops his class and his many school mates look up to him. Ra’s brotherly love for Rith and gratitude for Ah Yee is evident by just looking at his gentle ways with them. It is not hard to see that given the chance, Ra will grow up to be a man of honour.
Haidy and Ra not only display a fiery spirit that spurred them to overcome the ruthless hurdles of life, they have emerged as champions to inspire others. Reflecting on the hardships they had to go through, perhaps we can cease our “stressful” lamenting and appreciate all that we are blessed with.
To take it a step further, perhaps we can also find strength beyond what we face daily and channel it to add a glimmer of light in our world?
“We are all a piece of humankind.”- Haidy Ear Dupuy
Children like Ra are supported by World Vision through the Community Care Project for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Cambodia. Click here to find out how you can give hope to these Children in Crisis today.
