Achala's story of love and survivalAchala never imagined she would raise her daughter in a country so far from home, with no clear path forward. But since fleeing Sri Lanka in 2014, her life has been defined by one purpose: protecting her daughter, Atika, and giving her the chance at a better future. She arrived in Indonesia alone, escaping political instability and discrimination. With nowhere to turn, she settled in Cisarua—a hillside town near Jakarta that had become a refuge for other asylum seekers. Seven months later, Achala met and married a fellow Sri Lankan refugee. Together, they dreamed of building stability amid uncertainty. But life as refugees in Indonesia was harsh. Without the legal right to work and facing growing health concerns, they moved to Medan in search of better support. Instead, they were detained by immigration—spending a month in a detention center and four more months in a refugee camp. Eventually, an organization helped them leave the camp and find temporary shelter. Life felt a little more manageable—until 2019, when a relative in Europe offered to sponsor their resettlement. It felt like a lifeline. But pursuing it meant traveling to Jakarta for embassy processing, draining their limited savings and giving up the little support they had in Medan. They took the risk. The embassy rejected their application, saying the sponsor was too old. Just like that, their hopes collapsed. Stranded in Jakarta, they lived on the streets until another organization provided a small monthly allowance. Then, in 2022, tragedy struck. Achala’s husband fell gravely ill. Years of poor nutrition and improper medical care had damaged his kidneys. He passed away, leaving Achala and Atika alone. “I was scared. I didn’t know what to do next.”  Fearing for her daughter’s safety, Achala reached out to UNHCR for help. That’s when she was referred to Yayasan Cita Wadah Swadaya (YCWS) and its ASPIRASI project, funded by Week of Compassion. That referral changed everything. Since then, Achala and Atika have had a safe place to live, regular healthcare, education, and emotional support. Atika, now 9, has started to thrive—attending drawing, English, and math classes, with math quickly becoming her favorite. “I want my daughter to go to school, go to university, and have a good job. I want her to live a peaceful life, like other children.” And so, she keeps going. Because no matter how uncertain the road ahead, a mother’s love remains her strongest guide—keeping hope alive for the future.  Earlier this year, Week of Compassion shared the story of Hanifah, an Afghan refugee in Indonesia, and the powerful impact of YCWS and the ASPIRASI project in safeguarding her well-being and future.
Names have been changed and faces blurred for protection. Story supported by YCWS through the ASPIRASI project, funded by Week of Compassion. Comments are closed.
|
