A 10 year old Fermanagh girl has lobbied Prime Minister David Cameron on the Syrian refugee crisis – and received a response from the man himself. 


Rachel Megahey, a pupil at St Mary's Primary School in Mullymesker, wrote to Mr. Cameron after watching news coverage of the refugee crisis on television and received a reply two weeks later.


“I was home one night watching Coronation Street with my mum and it was on a break, and mummy turned it over to the news. The Syrian refugee crisis was on and I got very angry. David Cameron was talking about refugees,” she told The Impartial Reporter.


Picking up her pencil and a piece of paper, Rachel wrote a stern message for the prime minister.


She wrote: “Dear Mr. Cameron, I am very upset that refugees have died on the shores of Europe. I am also very happy to hear 20,000 refugees are allowed in England. But that is not going to help much. I know we all need to share out money between ourselves and pay our bills, but they are humans too and we have to treat them like we are their friends. 


“We especially need to think about the children that are in great danger. I think they should have the same education, the same shelter, the same health and the same love and happiness,” she wrote.


Rachel appealed to Mr. Cameron to allow 200,000 refugees into the United Kingdom. 


“He wrote back and said he'd only let in 20,000. In the last few weeks, I've seen him completely ignore the refugees and I am still very angry,” she said.


In his response, Mr. Cameron thanked Rachel for her “thoughtful letter” and wrote: “Like you, I have seen the very sad news reports and photographs of the many people, including children, who have left their own countries to seek a new life in Europe. Many of these families are fleeing the terrible conflict in Syria and, unfortunately, too many of them do not make it to safety. That is why it is so important for us to help people before they make these incredibly dangerous journeys.


“Our country has a long and proud history of helping people who are fleeing war and persecution to find a new home here with us. We will work with the United Nations to collect these people from refugee camps near Syria, which means they will not have to make the dangerous journey to Europe, and we will make sure that helping vulnerable children, including orphans, will be a priority.


“I hope this reply shows you how much we are doing to help these people in need. Thank you again for getting in touch and showing how much you care for them too,” wrote Mr. Cameron.


Rachel's mother Yvonne spoke of her pride at her daughter taking a stand and having her say.


“She produced this letter and asked me to post it. When I read it, I was very proud of her as we always are. I was really pleased with how powerful the letter was from someone so young. I posted it because Rachel is a great writer and I think it's important for young people to have their opinions. We encourage children to speak up and have their voices heard. I think that's why we put politicians in place so that they listen to the young people, the people of the future,” she said.


It is a view shared by Rachel, who hopes one day to be an author, a doctor and a chef, and believes that writing can help people. 


“Children can be great things when they grow up. I also think children should have their say in any particular crisis or opinion or vote. I'd like for the world to be happy and peaceful, I like to make people happy when I write. I hope that the future will be better for everyone. Refugees are human beings too,” she said.