August 12th is International Youth Day. I am reminded of the boys Kenric and I met in Kampung Buli Sim Sim in June 2018. Kampung Buli Sim Sim is a water village in Sandakan, Sabah. Sabah is a state in East Malaysia on the island of Borneo. I wonder about those boys and Aiman’s sister often. There were also two young sisters who melted our hearts. They were hanging out at their mother’s stall after school, and were eager to practice English with us.
Especially today, I think about the three young fisherboys that delivered their fresh catch to the restaurants. They were friendly smiley kids who got giggly when I gave them two bags of chips. They are almost certainly stateless people. It breaks my heart to think that they, their families and community have no access to education, healthcare, public service, and no participation in the modern economy.
Three young fisherboys that delivering their fresh catch.
On this International Youth Day, please include in your thoughts and reflection the millions and millions of children and youths fleeing violence, and those existing in refugee camps, in immigration jails, on reservation lands, in rural villages, in dilapidated neighborhoods due to war, climate change, environmental degradation, persecution, and poverty through no fault of their own. It is not moral for us to let them waste away, and it is stupid of us to waste their potential.
Our afternoon at Kampung Buli Sim Sim and our encounter with those children was one of our most unforgettable.
Restaurants and Football at Kampung Buli Sim SimMr. Yong, the Grab driver who picked us up from the Sandakan Airport a few days ago recommended Sim Sim Restaurant in Kampung Buli Sim Sim for their great seafood. We arrived...
Little Pheng's Tour of Kampong Phluk On our second day in Siem Reap, we went Tonle Sap (Great Lake) and Kampong Phluk (Floating Village commune). After checking our tickets, the attendant…
Japanese POW Camp in Sandakan In 1879, the British North Borneo Company chose Sandakan as its capital. The city flourished, but fell into the hands of the Japanese during WWII.…
Hand Over the Ang Pau "Kung Hee Fatt Chai, Auntie! Hung Pao na lai!" Of course! How clueless of me! The two boys were hustling for some "Red Envelopes containing…
A Surprise for My Uncle We arrived in Ipoh on Saturday evening but hid that from everyone except for a few cousins and my sister. That's because we wanted to…
Restaurants and Football at Kampung Buli Sim Sim Mr. Yong, the Grab driver who picked us up from the Sandakan Airport a few days ago recommended Sim Sim Restaurant in Kampung Buli Sim Sim for their great seafood. We arrived...
