March 2024 ยท Ian Kwon
We realized we couldn't just stand still.
Knowing what the Rohingya people have gone through, staying quiet did not feel like an option anymore. We felt a responsibility not just to understand their story, but to share it with others.
So even though we were a small group, we decided to act.
We designed posters. We prepared Korean snacks. Some of us made bubble tea, while others baked cookies late into the night. Then we gathered everything and went out to the streets near Northwestern University, unsure of what to expect but certain that we had to try.
Standing in front of strangers was not easy.
At first, it felt uncomfortable approaching people who were simply passing by, busy with their own lives. But we pushed ourselves. We split into groups of three and gently stopped people to start conversations, telling them about Rohingya genocide survivors and explaining the work we were doing.
Some listened quietly. Some asked questions. Some kept walking.
But every interaction mattered.
Meanwhile, those of us who were musicians opened our instrument cases and began to perform. Vocalists sang, filling the space with music that drew attention and curiosity. The moment one of the violin cases opened, someone walked by and placed a $20 bill inside.
It was such a small moment, but it meant everything.
We looked at each other with excitement and hope. It felt like a sign that what we were doing mattered, that people were willing to care.
On another side, we shared and sold the food we had prepared. We offered samples, started conversations, and explained the difficult realities that Rohingya families continue to face. Through these small efforts, we were raising funds that could help us create better educational materials for the Rohingya children we teach and even provide them with simple snacks that bring comfort and joy.
We may be small in number, but we are not powerless.
That day reminded us that even a few people can take meaningful action for those who are often overlooked.
And for that, we are deeply grateful.
Grateful to have been given the chance to do something, rather than nothing.