Murhaf, 12, breaks charity record as story of racist abuse goes viral
A young asylum seeker in Sweden has broken a charity fundraising record after a friend posted on social media about racist remarks he faced while selling mayflower pins.
Murhaf Hamid, 12, was born to Ethiopian parents in Sweden and has raised $233,000 for the annual for the Majblomman (Mayflower) children’s charity campaign.
Murhaf even sold a pin to Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
Children typically raise about 1,300 kronor ($126) selling the floral badges, but Murhaf’s efforts have brought in about 2.4 million kronor so far.
Young fundraisers earn a 10 per cent commission on the pins they sell and are allowed to keep tips they are given.
Murhaf told family friend Laila Rahman, that on his first day out, some adults told him to get off the street.
He thought that may have been because of racism. Ms Rahman wrote about his efforts on Facebook in a post that went viral, bringing Murhaf a flood of goodwill – and racist remarks. Political leaders came out in support of Murhaf on social media and bought pins from him on the street.
Ms Rahman told AFP she was “still very shocked” by the response.
“I’ve shared a lot of posts before but nothing’s ever gone this viral,” she said.
Ms Rahman said that the attention the story was getting was about “so much more than just his sales”.
“It’s also raising awareness for the whole situation with a boy who was born in Sweden almost 12 years ago and his family’s [asylum] application still being processed,” she said. If parents in Sweden do not have residency, their children do not automatically qualify at birth.
Murhaf, who lives in Glimakra in southern Sweden, said he had hoped to earn a little extra pocket money, but did not expect to make so much.
His fundraising is not finished – this year’s Majblomman campaign, which began on April 18, ends on May 3.
The charity helps poor children in Sweden, providing clothing and paying for activities they cannot afford.