There are approximately 13,200 refugees who have traveled to Indonesia in search of a peaceful life. Unfortunately, until now, they are still living in uncertainty after more than a decade. They search for a peaceful life, somewhere where they can live with certainty and a future.

Refugees here in Indonesia come from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Iran, Myanmar, Sri lanka, Palestine, Ethiopia, Iraq and other war-torn countries, escaping war, discrimination, genocide, targeted killing and bad governance.

They live in different parts of Indonesia, like Tanjung Pinang, Batam, Jakarta, Bekasi, Tangareng, Kupang, Medan, Makassar and Pekan Baru, some under IOM protection and support and some not.

“A decade is not just a number, but even if it is a number, I will take the time to count it,” says one brave refugee we interviewed for this piece.

While some displaced people are capable of resilience and strength, most suffer deeply from an existence marked by bottomless uncertainty, suffering both physical and mental harm. The risks of life in limbo can be deadly.

Many refugees have died due to poor health condition and have even resorted to suicide to end their suffering. The rest merely survive, but do not truly live.

Fortunately, a lucky few find an opportunity to start again in another country. With the help of kind citizens in Canadian and to a lesser extent, Australia, they succeed in establishing a new life with all basic human rights and opportunities that others take for granted. Liberated from the fear of discrimination, targeted killing or genocide, they are reborn, finally able to pursue their dreams.

Through the private sponsorship program of Canada, more than 60,000 privately sponsored refugees were successfully resettled between 2019 and 2021 alone.

If you are lucky to live in a country with private sponsorship– and really there are none as robust and healthy as that of Canada, who pioneered the program - you can be part of this change, and transform the lives and futures of refugees in Indonesia and elsewhere.

As others have opened their arms and welcomed my friends to your country, you can do it too, through some simple steps.

I wish to express my deep appreciation to all those kindhearted Canadian and global citizens for taking a chance on vulnerable, displaced people: I do believe they will make you feel proud.