“So what exactly do you do in Malaysia?”

This was a question I got all too often with my friends in both America and Malaysia. The short answer would be “I help people help others.” If they persisted in knowing more, then I told them I worked for a non-governmental organization that provides human services and resources to migrant and domestic workers in conjunction with the rescue, recuperation, education, and repatriation of human/sex trafficking victims. I would add my duties included, but were not limited to, capacity building, advocacy, translator, photographer, case worker, and overall support staff. I was proud of my work and grateful for the opportunity to help others less fortunate. However, I sometimes failed to remind myself of the larger picture and what I learnt from these experiences.

In retrospect, the experience I underwent was beyond helping others and gaining skills development. The fellowship allowed me a real life glimpse and understanding into why human injustices exist, why things are the way they are, and more importantly equipping me with the knowledge with how to tackle them. Whether it was in the field or behind a desk, I was part of a multi-prong approach necessary to alleviating (with the hopes of one day eliminating) the exploitation of human-beings – who, in my eyes, could very well be my brother, my sister, my uncle, my friend. After my experience in Penang, during my return back to Malaysia I carried a poem with me, titled “First they came…,” by Pastor Martin Niemöller that reads:

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out.

This poem has been a guiding principle for me and acts as a constant reminder that despite ones’ differences in skin color, gender, culture, and ideology, we must always help one another. My experiences in Malaysia simply reaffirmed this notion even more so.

In short, my time with CAMSA & Tenaganita was simply invaluable. From the frustrations of real-world office politics to the satisfaction of helping individuals who need it most, it was an eye-opening experience with lessons that I can carry with me in the future. With that said, beyond the mountains of work and the endless demands, I am deeply humbled by the silent sacrifices and labor of love one must invest in dealing with this line of work. To the Tenaganita, CAMSA, and BPSOS team, even though you cannot see it right now, my fist is in the air for you. Power to you all – and continue to fight the good fight. Thank you for everything and please keep me involved.