Mukarram Jameel

I'm Living Below the Line...

Because I believe in empowering young people to lead, demand and create a more just world. I believe in the capacity of young people to be able to make a difference in the world. 

I also have a personal connection Oaktree's mission. I was born in Sri Lanka, but as a toddler, I moved to Brunei, a wealthy enclave in Southeast Asia. Life there was a stark contrast to my birthplace, offering comfort and prosperity. Yet, at the tender age of seven, my parents made the heartfelt decision to return to our homeland.

Back in Sri Lanka, I embarked on a journey of rediscovery. In that first year, I reconnected with the land I had left behind as a child, finding solace in familiar places and faces. Despite the noticeable differences - the cramped cityscapes, modest school facilities, and lingering infrastructural challenges (such as some healthcare procedures still being a trip to another country) - life was fulfilling. We had what we needed to learn and grow, and I quickly adapted to the rhythm of life in Sri Lanka.

For five years, we lived in relative peace as Sri Lanka burgeoned with development. But as optimism swelled, adversity struck. Beginning in 2019, a succession of calamities rocked the nation's economic stability. Within days, Sri Lanka descended into chaos.

The once-improving economy crumbled, leaving behind a trail of hardship. Food shortages, power cuts, fuel queues stretching for kilometres, and skyrocketing prices became the new norm. I witnessed the unravelling of my country's fabric firsthand, experiencing the turmoil without the filter of television screens.

Living through the crisis opened my eyes to the fragility of life's comforts. The struggles endured by my fellow citizens mirrored those faced by countless others worldwide. It was a stark reminder that nothing is guaranteed, and the luxuries we take for granted can vanish in an instant. 

There is always someone - a living, breathing individual suffering on the other side of that TV screen.

That's why, this year, I've chosen to Live Below The Line. It's a tribute to those still grappling with the aftermath of all crises around the world and a nod to the resilience of humanity in the face of adversity. May my journey serve as a poignant reminder that gratitude and humility can light up even the darkest of times.

This year, I will draw lines in energy, food, shelter, technology, and waste that represent what I think are injustices, and no one should have to live below.