A reflection by Seminarian Jonathan Rao, St Peter’s College Kuching
1. What did I see/hear/sense that touched or moved me? Name the feeling.
After listening to the orientation briefing given by Fr Alvin Ng, SJ and care pack distribution at the various locations of the migrants on 10 July 2022, it came to my senses whether I see migrants as a total stranger or one whom I consider as a fellow human endowed with equal dignity and rights to live in Malaysia. I wish a group of like-minded people would come forward and assist these voiceless people living in our midst especially individuals who have been neglected and manipulated by certain unscrupulous parties. It’s a mixed feeling of sadness, sympathy, joy, awe, and grateful in meeting up those migrants who mostly come from Indonesia and Timor-Leste and are living in the vicinity of Kuching.
Sadness and sympathy because their grievances in the workplace go to deaf ears, labour hours not fairly rewarded, transportation problems for some catholic migrants to attend Sunday Masses, charging security deposit and imposing salary deduction on employee to safeguard employer from losses, poor living conditions of migrants where some are staying in shabby squatters while others sharing rental space with overcrowding tenants, fraudulency by employment/recruiting agencies, discriminated rates for foreigners seeking medical treatment, escalated cost of living that compelled some to borrow from money lenders, and high transfer fees for remitting money to families back home. The regulatory system in place for the migrants is also generally not friendly but corrupted and rather dysfunctional.
Joy because there are generous and kind donors out there who support by way of giving out cash contributions/pledges and material provisions that help to alleviate the plights and challenges facing the migrants living in Sarawak. There is also a sense of awe when assistance rendered without being bias in terms of race, religion, legal or illegal entry, or nationality. Indeed, I feel grateful having been given this opportunity to volunteer myself by reaching out to them personally, talk and hear them out as a friend and build relationship.
2. How did the experience confirm or change my perception of migrants in general?
Although their presence do contribute in the economic development of the state, but they take the risks to come here and earn money, as well as finding acceptance and making adaptations in a foreign land of different cultures, governance and social settings. It’s a daily battle of survival. The Gospel of Christ challenges me to love my neighbour as I love myself (Mark 12:31).
As a matter of fact, there are few other bible verses that struck in my mind:
- Do not ill-treat foreigners who are living in your land. Treat them as you would a fellow citizen, and love them as you love yourselves (Lev 19:33-34).
- Jesus says, “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me” (Matthew 25:40).
As I was reflecting, two questions emerged: how can I respond to the call of serving the migrants as my neighbour? Am I just a postman who delivers the goods on behalf of the Church and my assignment to the migrants is simply done? But the ministry of migrant is about “pastoring” to their needs with faith, hope and charity. It’s about bringing Jesus to them and consider myself as an instrument of God by spreading peace, love and joy, and treating the migrants as my neighbour with respect, dignity and justice. Over and above that, I can lend a listening ear, provide words of encouragement, pray for their wellbeing and protection, and welcome them as brothers and sisters in Christ. The other aspect is my disposition, availability and continuity to reach out to those migrants outside the ambit of this ministry to migrants when I encounter some of them in the streets, eatery places and other meeting points. How can I be the eyes and the ears for such migrants who are in need of help and channel such enquiries to Archdiocese of Kuching or invite them to visit the migrants’ counter?
3. What am I grateful for? Why?
I am grateful for the opportunity to meet, talk and establish friendship with the migrants. It is an eye opener to learn about their predicaments, concerns and stories which touch on the reality of life. Tough life for the migrants but a life worth living requires one to be brave and courageous. The migrants taught me about being human, empathy, simplicity and to be thankful for the blessings in life. In principle, the migrants come because there is prosperity and opportunity in our land but in some ways, I take things for granted. In comparison to the migrants, I have a family staying close to me, a decent residence to live in, possess a citizenship and documents that safeguard my privileges and rights to live, work and travel freely without fear, can own property and bank account or even venture into investments, enjoy the medical and other fringe benefits without being discriminated, and less likelihood of becoming a victim of labour exploitation.
Indeed, I should count on all the blessings in my life. The migrants also taught me the value of living in simplicity, be humble, find joy in little things and the importance of self-belonging and companionship. I realised the aspect of appreciation and humility in their gestures when receiving the care distributions. Many of them expressed joy when we find time to go and visit them personally and the bonding has resulted in affection and good friendships even with our Muslim migrants. In fact, the ministry to the migrants has become the interface or bridge builder between the migrants and the church. Indeed, the Church continues to be a witness for Christ in the world and I am glad to be of help to the church in terms of committing my resources, energy, and time as well as tapping on the opportunity to serve and love the migrants as loving my neighbour.
4. What aspects of my life am I challenged to grow in?
- I realised the importance of active listening that is fully concentrating with mind and heart on what is being said rather than hearing the message passively. To really listen is to put myself in the shoes of the other, and to repeat back to them what I heard them say and let them verify if that is what they meant, and to suspend judgement of the other. Active listening also helps to understand and really know the other with an open heart. This active listening is something I need to develop.
- Applying the Golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. This challenges me to go out of my comfort zone and serve with commitment, and unconditionally. Love must be genuine and the care for migrants must be all inclusive regardless of different sexes, religion, race, social class and nationality. This echoes with the command given by Christ who calls me to love my neighbour as myself.
- In line with the synodal church theme “Journeying together”, how can I get involved in becoming a voice to the migrants, taking ownership of their concerns and empower the different parties that could integrate with the migrant ministry with a strong sense of communion, participation and mission driven? No man lives on an island and so the migrant ministry cannot operate and sustain by itself but requites collaboration of resources and networking with donors, SSVP, Archdiocese office in Kuching, Catholic Welfare Services, state government, undertakers, hospitals, consular or embassy offices, immigration and other enforcements, counselling and regulatory bodies governing the employers’ obligations. This effort also calls for the unison of the Church and myself as its member to be in solidarity with migrants by protecting their human rights and social welfares without favour or fear. The notion of “love and prosper your neighbour” is one that recognises migrants, among others, as our companions on the journey towards building the kingdom of God among us.
