Leading with heart

As World Refugee Day approaches on 20 June, we’re reminded of this year’s theme: “Solidarity with Refugees.”

It calls on all of us to move beyond empathy and into action—standing with those who’ve been displaced, not just in word but in meaningful support.

Bonita’s story exemplifies how your compassion turns that solidarity into real impact.

Today, Bonita is the Project Director of the Urban Education Project with our project partner Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Thailand. But her connection to displacement is personal.

Timor-Leste to Thailand

Born in Dili, Timor-Leste, Bonita was just six years old when her family fled unrest during the 1999 referendum.

“There was a lot of military there. In the town I saw people protesting, burning the tires, and schools were being closed down,” she said.

Her father had been working with Jesuit schools, and as the political situation deteriorated, Bonita, her mother, and older brother were evacuated on a military plane to Bali.

“I thought it was just another way to travel,” she recalls. “I didn’t realise until later we were fleeing our home.”

That experience left a lasting impact. After growing up in Bali, she completed her studies in psychology and later volunteered with JRS Indonesia, where she was a teaching assistant for Afghan refugees In Jakarta.

That work deepened her passion for supporting displaced communities and ultimately led her to Thailand, where she continues this mission today.

“Refugee is just a label. Deep down, they’re just young people who want to flourish—like all of us.” —Bonita

Supporting other refugees

Thanks to your generosity, Bonita now leads a program that supports over 100 young refugees and asylum seekers each year.

Now Bonita works with our partner JRS Thailand, determined to help other displaced youth—this time from across Asia—build new beginnings.

These youth face tremendous challenges—barriers to education, the threat of arrest, and deep social isolation. But through the Urban Education Project, they gain free access to Thai and English language classes, vocational training such as Beauty Salon, General Education Development (GED) preparation, and, most importantly, a sense of community.

“Refugee is just a label,” Bonita says. “Deep down, they’re just young people who want to flourish—like all of us.”

In addition, the program has recently expanded to also support refugees from Myanmar in Mae Sot.

This World Refugee Day, thank you for standing in true solidarity with refugees. Because of you, displaced youth are not only surviving—they’re learning, growing, and finding their voice.

Find out more

About the Urban Refugees program

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