Malaysian NGO paves way to brighter future for refugees through education and support

JUST eight years ago, life was immensely uncertain for Raheel Ahmad.

But now, having gained admission to Oxford University in the United Kingdom, his path ahead shines ever brighter.

Reflecting on his achievement, the 18-year-old credited Dignity for Children Foundation, a Kuala Lumpur-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) that provides holistic care and education for marginalised children.

Raheel was 10 when he and his family sought refuge in Malaysia after fleeing Pakistan due to persecution against their community.

“For a year, I did not attend school, as there were barely any schools offering education to refugees,” he told StarEdu.

That changed when he discovered the foundation through his community.

“When I first walked into Dignity, I felt like I had been given a second chance,” he recalled.

Determined to succeed, Raheel worked hard to improve his English. After four years of education at the foundation, he sat for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examination, before going on to pursue his A-Levels at Brickfields Asia College – in both exams, he attained straight As.

Receiving an acceptance letter from Oxford University to study biochemistry, he said, is a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”.

“Before coming to Malaysia, I had only ever heard of Oxford.

“I didn’t think it was even an option. But the teachers at Dignity really pushed me, even going the extra mile to write recommendation letters and help me with my applications,” he shared.

Raheel is expected to begin his studies at Oxford in October, but another challenge lies ahead: funding his education.

“Right now, the only thing standing between Oxford and me is the financial aspect.

“I’ve applied for a full scholarship, but the university only offers it to a handful of students each year. I’m also looking for private sponsors,” he said.

As he awaits the outcome of his scholarship applications, Raheel is interning as a Mathematics teacher at the foundation.

“Education is about giving back. Dignity has transformed so many lives, including mine.

“One of my dreams is to start a nonprofit to help refugees access higher education,” he said.

According to Dignity for Children Foundation education experience and outreach executive assistant Christina Ganeson, refugee children in Malaysia face various barriers, such as lack of legal access to schools, financial difficulties and social stigma.

“Education is not just about academics; it’s a lifeline.

“Many of these children have lost everything. Giving them access to learning restores a sense of normalcy, purpose and hope,” she said.

She added that the foundation equips children with knowledge and practical skills, ensuring they are not just surviving, but also building pathways to independence.

“Without organisations like ours, many of them would have no educational opportunities at all.

“When we invest in their education, we’re not just helping individuals; we’re strengthening communities and creating a more inclusive Malaysia,” she asserted.

Another beneficiary of this investment is Meen Thang, who struggled to find a school willing to accept her after leaving Myanmar with her family in 2011.

Her entry into the foundation, however, was not without obstacles.

Due to space limitations, her application was initially rejected.

“I was really disappointed,” the 18-year-old recalled.

“I knew education was my only path forward,” she said.

Thanks to her aunt’s persistence in reaching out to the foundation, Meen’s application was reconsidered.

“That opportunity changed my life,” Meen shared.

She said at the foundation, she found not just quality education but also a supportive environment that guided her through personal struggles and helped her grow in confidence.

Currently pursuing an accounting major at Mont Royale College in Kuala Lumpur under a scholarship, Meen described it as “a dream that once felt impossible”.

“I wouldn’t be here without the people who fought for my education.

“Dignity didn’t just teach me subjects – they gave me hope for a future,” she said.

Calling on Malaysians to extend a helping hand, Christina said the foundation, established in 1998, continues to bridge this gap, but its work relies on community support.

“Malaysians have big hearts, and there are so many ways to help,” she emphasised, noting that support can range from sponsoring a child’s education to mentoring students through hands-on learning programmes.

“At Dignity for Children, we don’t just teach subjects – we teach life, hope and possibility.

“It takes a village to raise a child, and you can be part of that village, giving a child the chance to dream again,” she said.

Tisha, 15, a student in Selangor, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.

With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities.

1 In pairs, act out a short scene: One student has just received the good news of being awarded a scholarship; the other plays a friend or teacher reacting. Use phrases like “I’m so proud of you!”, “That’s amazing!”, or “How do you feel?”

2 Prepare five words from the article and mix them with five unrelated words. Exchange papers with a friend and guess whether each word on your partner’s paper is related to the article. Justify your answers.

The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.