The next group of Vietnamese detainees were more fortunate. Ellen had tickets for ten of the eleven. Seven men and three women. The lone unfortunate was a few weeks away from being given the same good news. Ellen tenderly touched his cheek and told him to be strong as he waited patiently for release. A [...]
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The first group of Vietnamese men marched from their block two by two. Handcuffed in pairs, free arms holding the shoulder of the detainee in front of them, heads down. They entered the small building, sat in two neat rows, cross legged, leaning against each other. Seven in total. They were all young. Haggard and [...]
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The Detention Centre we visited is tucked away in a small town, about an hour and a half drive from the main city where we met. We drove through the rain, a down pour of tremendous rain drops that threw themselves against the windshield with incredible force. Ellen drove her small Proton at a casual [...]
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Change Noor’s name – he has done so himself – to another. Make it Hashim, or Ishmael. The names change but the stories have similar strands. Yet the threads that tie the stories together are not rich in hue: golds, emeralds, reds, weaving together a beautiful coat of colour. They are more like the clear [...]
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He had no reason to lie to us. The tears on his face said it all. They appeared suddenly, streamed clear lines on his dark skin. The first, the only tears I saw during my time meeting with refugees in Malaysia, listening to their stories of survival, of exile, of suffering and displacement. Tears precious [...]
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Disappointed by Hope: Migrants and Refugees in Search of A Better Country examines the plight of refugees and migrant workers in Malaysia through photographs and stories based on case studies and interviews with transients who have experienced abuse. Disappointed by Hope FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 18, 2010 – Experts estimate there [...]
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I started a fan page for Disappointed by Hope: Migrants and Refugees in Search of A Better Country on Facebook. Please join it! (FYI: I’ll be talking about the new publication a lot in the next few months). I’m happy to report the book will very soon go to print. It’s been a long journey [...]
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Interview: Bryan + Katie Torwalt, "Here on Earth"
Andrew's TEDx talk, "Considering Danger"
Interview: Kidnap Survivor and Inspiring Humanitarian Amanda Lindhout
If God Had A Facebook Account, What Would He Write on Your Wall?
Mephiboseth, a short story by Andrew Kooman
If Rudyard Kipling had Fridge Magnets
Chasing Tradition: Herbert's "Altar"
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Fridge for Thought - Weekly Poetry Feature
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