”I am Jassin Rezai, I was born in the war torn country of Afghanistan. Since my birth up to 2001 I struggled for survival. The world seemed to me very cruel, but it was a child’s thinking. My toys were used bullets, we had no parks to play, it was not safe to play outside with other young people. Life was very hard after losing my father at the age of 13 and we had no choice except to leave Afghanistan.
Luckily the love filled hands of my other fellow residents of this globe reached me and I found a new homeland, FINLAND. My new home embraced me hard, I could hear the heart beats, and it shared with me all my miserable experiences. Tears of gloomy life disappeared, and I began to grow faster.
In the new home and town I needed company, colleagues and opportunities. Nothing could have been as suitable as the Award programme, and I joined it doing all three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold.
I am now solid, well prepared, a positive citizen, ready to face challenges and, more importantly, that lonely boy is now a young man having a network of friends around the world.
Although I was a refugee, the Award in Finland trusted me to represent them at an International Gold Event in Hong Kong in 2005. I am now solid, well prepared, a positive citizen, ready to face challenges and, more importantly, that lonely boy is now a young man having a network of friends around the world. In fact the Award gives young people courage and makes them a mature person who is ready to grow. I feel revolutionary changes in me. There is a big difference in Jassin of 2001 and today. This all credit goes to the Award in Finland.
The Award polishes the young persons talent and makes them utilize their capabilities. May the day never come to our earth but if any disaster happens be sure that the Award members will play the role of a trouble shooter. Thousands of young people around the world free from any difference of colour, religion, sect and region stand hands tied together. A boy from the world’s poorest country Afghanistan, now standing as a Finnish young person and the golden bird of Award flying on his coat collar represents the values of Award.
The Award has touched my heart so much, I studied in Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences in field of Civic and Youth Work. i am graduated as community educator/ youth worker and as well as an Award volunteer. I travel round Finland and give the message of the Award to other native young people, immigrants and refugees.
I understand how important the Award is for a new comer in a new homeland. We were five refugee boys when we joined the award programme and now there are hundreds around Finland, reaping it benefits.
Here I would like to thank all those people who are behind the international Award and keep it going by their generous support. You are the people who make the nations tomorrow brighter by helping today’s youth.”