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Text and photos contributed by Allison Ong Lee Fong

Blowing bubbles, hopping, chasing, giggling and laughing – this was how a group of about 40 Myanmar refugee children painted the green lawn of Taman Tasik Titiwangsa with colours and sounds on 13 June 2009.  With the aim of helping the Myanmar refugee children to realise that they are no different from other children, the All Ethnic Group Refugee Education Centre successfully organised a picnic with the children at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa last Saturday.

The children’s arrival at 10 a.m. immediately livened up the silent hazy morning of the day.  Volunteer teachers from the Myanmar Refugee School, Christian community and volunteers from all spheres of Malaysian society were also present helping out in the picnic and most importantly experiencing fun with the children. The Bar Council Human Rights Committee was represented by Roger Chan Weng Keng and Allison Ong.

The event started off with the children singing a welcome song titled “The Ba Wa Ye’ Yin Thew Nge Dwe”.  Sitting together in a circle, the children sang this famous Myanmar childhood rhyme, clapping their hands along to the keyboard and guitar music accompaniment.



The highlight of the day was the games session, during which the children were divided into groups, each under the supervision of adult group leaders and judges.  The difference in language was no barrier to the participation of the Malaysian volunteers, and bonds were quickly built between them and the children.  Simple Myanmar phrases like tan si (“queue up”) and bai sa de (“I am hungry”) were learnt spontaneously.  

The children and volunteers enjoyed the games; loud cheering and chanting could be heard every time a victorious group was announced after each game.  The children allowed the fun and excitement to guide their curiosity to learn and they enthusiastically played a number of familiar childhood games such as the three-legged race, water race, musical statues and Chinese whispers.  Throughout the games, the children got to know each other better as well as realised the importance of unity, communication and teamwork.  The children behaved well, and observed the rules of good discipline at all times.  Despite the rise in temperature as the day progressed, smiles were carved on all faces.



A sudden rainstorm towards the end of the games session did not dampen the children’s high spirits.  Remaining energetic, the children had lunch at a sheltered place.  The picnic finally drew to a conclusion with the gift-giving ceremony for the children.

During the lunch, the organisers revealed the plight of the Myanmar refugee children, in particular their educational needs, which increase as the children grow older, and the fundraising difficulties faced by the Centre.  Happiness comes to some people more easily than it does to others, and certainly it does not come easily to the refugee children who are in great need of basic necessities and a nurturing environment.  

The fun of a day’s picnic, with the activities and warmth of the sun might have cheered up the hearts of these Myanmar refugee children.  However, this is certainly not sufficient for the children in the long term.  The Centre looks forward to the continuing generosity of members of the public to the children’s increasing needs, and is hopeful that society will extend them the care and support needed to ensure they have a comfortable and secure childhood despite their underprivileged background.