Let Minh and Thu stay in Norway

Oslo, May 1, 2005





To Whom It May Concern





We, the undersigned, call upon the Utlendingsdirektoratet to provide our friends Minh (Nguen Minh Bao Ngoc, fшdt 06-06-1997) and her mother Thu (Nguyen Thi Thu Nguyet, fшdt 02-05-1969) with the permit to continue their residence in Norway.





Minh and her mother have lived in Norway for almost five years. We know Thu has a loving mother, working hard to provide for her daughter. Minh has been a schoolmate and friend to our children since they started school together in August 2003. They now form class 2D of Gamlebyenskole in Oslo and are a wonderful group of enthusiastic and caring friends.





There are only 13 children in class 2 D. The children are very close, visiting each other often. The atmosphere in the class is very positive towards learning together. The children have arrived at the point that they are able to read independently and are about to gain access to language in writing too. This forms an important moment in their development. We believe it is crucial for all children in class 2D that they can continue this development in a safe environment. Taking Minh away from her class, her friends, her beloved teacher Marit, her soccer team, her SFO group, will uproot her socially, culturally, and most importantly, emotionally and intellectually. Taking Minh away from her friends will also hurt her friends, our children.





Let Minh, who has lived most of her life in Norway, to continue her friendships and education in Norway !





Give Minh the right to be heard, as stipulated under par. 12 of the UN Convention of the Right of the Child !





Let Minh - a vulnerable child of only 7 years old - not become the victim of the rules of adults and bureaucracies !





Allow Minh and her mother Thu to stay in Norway !