A note from Laurie & Kaye: Reflecting on our work in Malaysia

Laurie & Kaye on a trip to Kuala Lumpur in 2014.

Westgate Refugee Support was founded in 2014 by Kaye Cameron, Laurie Krepp & a committed group of fellow volunteers. Read more about our history here.

To visit the refugees in KL again after the two years of Covid disruptions brought mixed emotions. Some families had been farewelled and resettled in the US or Australia (mainly Adelaide) while others had struggled through two years of very reduced incomes and difficult times.

We were welcomed with open arms, and delicious Myanmar food, but also overwhelming requests for help with finding support services, resettlement advice and needs within the schools and the wider community. 

Laurie teaching in Kuala Lumpur in 2022.

Kaye & Laurie at ACR in 2016.

With the UNHCR ceasing to register most refugees from Myanmar, and many more arriving due to the political instability and targeting of minorities, the undocumented have few options. Sadly the mental health status of refugees had also deteriorated and there is a distinct lack of options for those who would be treated by their GP here in Australia.  We became aware of a single father with a four year old daughter in desperate need of mental health support, but ineligible for any of the services, as he is as yet to be registered with UNHCR.

The highlight of any visit is to see how the students have grown and developed in our absence.  Many of the current teachers at our schools were students in our classes at the refugee schools or Ruth Education Centre up to 10 years ago. One of them experienced extreme trauma at primary school and has risen above her challenges to become a very effective teacher of 30 kindergarten children. Several others have been participating in the regular Digital Literacy classes our team member Angela runs for refugee teachers.

We have seen the refugee agency we support - Alliance of Chin Refugees (ACR) - undergo many staffing changes, but were pleased to see their uptake of policy development and training in the areas of preventing sexual misconduct, harassment and exploitation.  Child Safety policies and procedures were also updated as we are aware of how vulnerable the refugee children can be. Our team member Frank has also been working regularly with ACR to help them improve their financial management.

The needs amongst the refugees in Kuala Lumpur are huge! It can be daunting, but if we continue to work with the students, teachers and agency support staff we see changes which are exciting. 

You can also play a part in this change by making a donation to our Christmas Campaign to make futures bright this Christmas. You can help us shine a light on the importance of education and continue our work.

We always welcome new faces, ideas & opportunities at Westgate Refugee Support, and we can’t wait to see what we can continue to achieve in 2023.

- Kaye Cameron & Laurie Krepp