Finding Light: Mehdi & Azam’s Story
Story writer: Caitlin Howe | Story editor: Sheri Lohardjo
On a warm day in South Jakarta, Mehdi and Azam arrive at Roshan Learning Center, their youngest daughter Zhina in tow. There are smiles and warm greetings as they enter the room. While Zhina, age 4, busies herself with whatever activities can be found in the Lower Primary classroom, the couple gets settled in to chat and reflect about their time at Roshan.
Sitting down with Mehdi and Azam is like sitting down with good friends. The married couple has been with Roshan since 2015. They are part of a decreasing number of people who have been around for almost the entire history of the learning center. Throughout the years, Mehdi and Azam have bade farewell to multiple parts of their family that came to Indonesia as refugees. They continue to wait for their process to move forward and currently volunteer at Roshan: Mehdi as a Facilities Assistant, and Azam as a Lower Primary teacher.
Arriving in 2015, like many refugees in Jakarta at that time, this family expected a short stay in Indonesia before moving on to a third country for resettlement. Their eldest daughter was only a toddler. Before long, as their stay increased, they had to answer difficult questions about what education was going to look like for her.
There are so many unknowns for refugee parents as they make the difficult decision to uproot their lives and families. Not only do they have to think and answer questions about their personal futures, but also that of their children. While the early days for a refugee in Indonesia involve finding English classes and community, as parents, they must also face their worries about their children's education. That is where Roshan comes into the picture. “One of the biggest worries for parents when they come to Indonesia is for their kids' education, so when Roshan started and opened their doors it was a relief,” says Azam.
“Education is an important thing for the parents, for all parents in the world. But for the refugees it is so hard,” says Mehdi. “It is difficult to find the school and we have to look and try just practicing at home.” Refugee parents often move mountains for their kids in order for them to have a better life, and because of Roshan, parents do not have to sacrifice educational opportunities as they have to give up so many other things in their process of seeking safety. Mehdi and Azam emphasize this point during conversation and state clearly that Roshan is not only for the kids, but holds deep meaning for the parents as well.
For their eldest daughter, Roshan was where she first began her education and set the course for lifelong learning. “As a parent we always worry about the kids' education, but when my older daughter joined the Roshan community [it was] like a light,” says Azam. “And it makes us feel better about her, and she was able to make friends and learn about the people and study there. And I learned beside her. She was so excited and always when she’s back home she’s talking about her friends and her teachers, and she was super excited about the school.”
Roshan classrooms are extraordinary in that they are spaces composed of students from such incredibly varying backgrounds, cultures, languages and experiences. Roshan is probably very far from the education that refugee parents may have pictured for their kids, but the opportunity for these children to interact with one another and learn directly from teachers from their community is something profound.
Parents all over the world carry dreams for their children and refugee parents in Indonesia are by no means an exception. Being in Indonesia does not put a hold on these dreams. Places like Roshan that reach out a hand to parents and their children change lives forever. Azam reflects, “We have lots of plans for our kids. I hope my kids can go to a school where they can continue their education into university and college and they achieve what they have dreamed. And when we think about ourselves we also want to make a better life for ourselves over there.” Education opens brighter futures for refugees, for students and also for parents who continue to dream for their children and for themselves.
Next year, Roshan Learning Center will be celebrating its tenth anniversary: a decade of changing lives and inspiring hope among refugees in Indonesia.
As we look to 2024, we are celebrating that the Roshan story has grown deeper, wider, and richer. In 2014, we began with the simple goal of providing a safe space for refugee children to learn and play. Now, the impact of our work is more tangible than ever.
Help us ensure this good work that enriches lives through education and community.