What does it take to be a refugee? | Muhaddisa Sarwari | TEDxSurrey

A refugee is someone who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster. They are innocent people who are being stripped of their freedom and safety, as the rest of the world turns its back, says 17-year-old refugee advocate Muhaddisa Sarwari. In this eye-opening talk, she shares the stories of navigating a better life with resilience and hope, and the importance of fighting the prejudice against immigrants and refugees. Expressed through witty anecdotes and passionate storytelling, this powerful talk will challenge your view on refugees. Muhaddisa is a 17-year-old student who arrived in Canada as a Hazara refugee from Afghanistan less than three
years ago. Before that, Muhaddisa and her family lived as stateless refugees in Indonesia, where they spent five
years in limbo. At ten years old, Muhaddisa discovered that she had no legal rights to obtain education as a refugee
in Indonesia. Having to overcome the obstacles stacked against her education and the harsh living situation for
refugees in Indonesia, Muhaddisa utilized her ongoing struggles as a fuel for growth. She is passionate about
advocating for the rights of refugees and shedding light on the struggles of finding a place to call home, This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx