CREATING REFUGE
Heidy Quah is the founder and executive director of the non-profit organisation Refuge
for the Refugees. She has worked ceaselessly over the last decade to develop services and networks that empower refugees while advocating for their rights in Malaysia .“Power tome means understanding my power and using my strengths to bridge the gaps of inequalities for those around me,” says Heidy, who was honoured with a Queen’s Young Leaders Award in 2017 for her work with refugees.
Although the organisation had focused primarily on education and advocacy efforts prepandemic, COVID-19 offered He id ya change in perspective .“When the pandemic hit, were alis ed that a core issue the community needed support with was food aid and food security. Were alis ed that more than online schools, what children needed more ur gently was to avoid starvation ,” Heidy explains.
Seeing daily wage-earners lose their income as factories shutdown inspired the young activist to jump to action .“Overnight, we rallied people and looked to provide food aid for 1,000 families ever y week for the last two years ,” He id yd et ails.
Refuge for the Refugees also moved to aid flood victims in late 2021. Here, He idys aw firsthand that it would be along time for under served communities to recover f rom the pandemic and floods. “We star ted going into communities to see about set ting up hydro farms to teach them how to plant their own vegetables,” Heidy says. The organisation is going a step further, working with KampungL and as anSu bang to build a grocery store to serve the community as they regain stability.
Healthcare remains a critic al issue among refugees, with many refusing to seek help until they required hospital is at ion .“We have partnered with The Red Clinic in Jaya One to ensure migrants and refugees can access quality healthcare. Every Tuesday, a van ferries groups to the clinic to receive check-ups,” Heidy shares, adding that they are working towards an additional van to advance the effort.
The efforts to tackle food security, healthcare and education are arduous, as Heidy admits real change needs to happen on a government level by changing policies .“The goal post keeps shifting, but I remind myself to celebrate the small wins,” Heidy acknowledges of the hard work. “To future advocates, I would say that your convictions must be stronger than your emotions. You must be consistent with your purpose, be patient and accept there are no overnight results.”
“Power to me means understanding my power and using my strengths to bridge the gaps of inequalities for those around me.”