Kuala lumpur: Aishah Muhammad Yassin reminisces about a moment in 2018 when her mother handed her a smartphone to watch 'Upin and Ipin', a beloved Malaysian animated series. This simple gesture marked the beginning of Aishah's journey into the world of Malaysian cartoons, which would later play a significant role in her life. According to BERNAMA News Agency, Aishah, now 15, fondly recalls her mischievous childhood days when her mother, overwhelmed with household chores, found solace in the distraction provided by the animated antics of Upin and Ipin. These characters, twin brothers living in a multicultural village, captivated Aishah and her friends at the refugee school Pelangi Kasih Learning Centre in Selayang Baru, Selangor. The Pelangi Kasih Learning Centre, a refuge for Rohingya, Myanmar Muslims, and other stateless children, became a hub where Aishah and her peers gathered around a television to watch 'Upin and Ipin' during their free time. However, by 2026, the school closed its doors due to financi al constraints, leaving the once vibrant rooms empty and the television set dusty and broken. Malaysia, not being a signatory to the UN Refugee Agency's 1951 Refugee Convention, lacks a legal framework for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers. Consequently, education for refugee children is not guaranteed, except for schools run by NGOs and UNHCR. Despite this, Malaysia continues to host refugees from various countries, with over 64,800 children registered with UNHCR as of October 2025. Aishah's journey continues at Dignity School in Sentul, run by the Dignity for Children Foundation. She credits Malaysian animated shows for helping her adapt to her new environment. The cartoons taught her valuable lessons about friendship and cultural harmony. Nur Naquyah Burhanuddin, 'Upin and Ipin' creative content director, expressed satisfaction about the show's impact on young viewers. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the series emphasizes universal values of friendship and cultural diversity. The show's relata ble narratives have helped children across cultures, and it has also been a tool for learning the Malay language. For Aishah and her friends, shows like 'Upin and Ipin' have been instrumental in improving their command of Bahasa Melayu, which is crucial as they navigate life in Malaysia. Rafik Shah, a community leader, encourages his students to watch local animated series to understand Malaysian culture and values better. However, funding for refugee education remains a significant challenge. Rev Elisha Satvinder, co-founder of Dignity for Children Foundation, highlights the difficulties in securing donations for refugee schools. Strong anti-refugee sentiments on social media further exacerbate these challenges, as noted by Mimi Zarina Azmin, CEO of Muslim Aid Malaysia. Despite the closure of the school and the broken television, Aishah and her friends persist in finding ways to watch their beloved cartoons. Their determination reflects the resilience and hope instilled by the animated worlds they cherish .