Struggle To Strength My Journey to Hope.
This is Abdur Rahim from the largest refugee camp in Bangladesh I would like to share my story and my hope.I was born in Myanmar, a land once filled with the sounds of my childhood laughter and dreams. But as I grew up, those dreams were tested by the harsh realities that came with being Rohingya a people stripped of their rights, homes, and voices. My early memories are a mix of beauty and fear. Beauty in my family’s love, in our traditions, and in the simple moments of peace. But fear soon took hold fear of persecution, violence, and a future that seemed more uncertain with each passing day. When I was still very young, my family and I were forced to flee Myanmar. We left everything behind our home, our land, and the graves of our ancestors seeking safety across the border in Bangladesh. We arrived not as guests, but as refugees, carrying only our faith, resilience, and the hope of a better tomorrow. Life in the refugee camp has never been easy. But it has shaped who I am. It taught me the value of education, the power of service, and the importance of standing tall, even when the world tries to make you invisible. Despite the odds, I have pursued learning with determination. I now study at BRAC University under the Rohingya Higher Education Access Program (RhEAP), and I teach community children as a volunteer because I believe that education is our most powerful tool for change. Alongside my studies, I took the role of a community-based teacher, voluntarily educating children in the camp who otherwise would have no access to structured learning. This work is my way of giving back and nurturing hope among the next generation. I have also engaged in leadership workshops, debate competitions, and field research with humanitarian organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). In 2024, I received an Award of Excellence from NAMLAS and attended the OSUN Virtual Student Leadership Conference, experiences that deepened my commitment to justice, peace, and education. I am a stateless person. But I am not voiceless. I dream of pursuing higher education in Australia, studying peace and law, and becoming a voice for the voiceless advocating for the rights and dignity of my people. I want the world to see us not only as victims, but as survivors, learners, and leaders. I carry with me the pain of displacement, but also the strength of my people. I am proud to be Rohingya, and I am committed to building a future where no child has to flee their home, and where every voice no matter how small is heard. This is my story. A story of survival, resilience, and unwavering hope.