Discovering the Truth about Refugees

A few years ago, I had no set views on refugees. I didn't know there were faces behind such terms as asylum seekers and Idps. I had no time for people in another country. I falsely believed that I had learned the important facts about history. Why would I even question this, I went to college. I knew it all.

After watching an Angelina Jolie interview on television I sat in tears. It wasn't your typical "You sleep with who, interview!" It was real, honest and in your face. After this one house interview I was disgusted with myself, my moral beliefs and my values. I was angry that no one had told me that 50 million people are currently victims of forced displacement. I was confused by every term thrown out at me, but I wanted that change.

I set out on a journey to discover the facts. I admit my knowledge was slim, but I felt a certain degree of demand to find out exactly what a refugee was. I have been at the receiving end of many hours of research, emails, phone calls, and visits discussing refugees. I followed every news topic and article until I exhausted my resources. I soon came to realize the harsh truth of a world rarely seen by those who are on the outside.

Ten million refugee children under the age of five die each year, the majority from preventable diseases and malnutrition. The first time these statistics rang past my ears I sat in disbelief.

How can this be happening right under our noses? I know there are skeptical people out there reading this. Asking why should we care?

My response to that is why shouldn't we? Imagine just for moment your child, your sister, your mother, your father, yourself living in these conditions. There is an urgency to find a new home within a strange country, fighting to survive on nothing more than the help of others.

There are no material objects; just the basics of survival and those are limited. There is a constant struggle to regain your home someday in your own country. If in that moment you don't feel one ounce of need to help then you aren't going to understand the real reason for humanity.

It may be by lack of knowledge, fear or choice, either way it isn't discovered to the depth of its needs. Schools don't teach
about the lack of resources in these other countries. The media paints a picture out of lies to meet the demands of society and we are left to put the pieces together.