Christine Haveford
We have all watched in horror as we see the awful images from the conflict in the Middle East. The war has ruined the lives of so many families who seek refuge in countries around the world.
The sad part is, these people are innocent. Can you imagine having to leave your home by force? Traveling to a foreign country, with your kids and pets in tow?
Let’s look at the story of one refugee who’s story has broke the hearts of many.
The touching pictures show Abdul Halim al-Attar, a single father of two, selling pens on a roadside on the southern outskirts of Damascus.
As he tries to make a living, he holds his sleeping four-year-old daughter, Reem, in his arms.
Abdul is a Palestinian from the devastated Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria.
He was forced to leave his home, and like many can’t afford to make enough money to feed his family.
Abdul found himself trying to sell pens to survive.
Gissur Simonarson, the founder of Conflict News, posted the pictures online and the images went viral.
An online fundraiser raised more almost $2000,000 for the Syrian refugee and his daughter.
People from all over the world raised money for Abdul. Yet Abdul was surprised when well-wishers came by his apartment.
While they happily informed him of the funds that were raised for him, he became embarrassed because he was photographed during a low point in his life.
Abdul was a chocolate maker before the conflicts in Syria arose. He didn’t earn a lot of money, but it was enough to raise his family.
After he fled to Beirut he couldn’t find a job. He couldn’t just leave Reem alone as she always got scared.
No company would hire him as he couldn’t get childcare. Abdul is currently separated from his wife who still lives in Syria.
Now just a few months later, the campaign has dramatically changed Abdul’s life.
“Not only did my life change, but also the lives of my children and the lives of people in Syria whom I helped,” he said.
Abdul says he gave away about $25,000 to friends and relatives in Syria.
The 33-year-old father of two opened a bakery and has since added a kebab shop and a small restaurant to his business venture. He employs 16 Syrian refugees.
In addition to the food businesses, al-Attar moved his children from the one bedroom that they all shared to a two-bedroom apartment in an unfinished building overlooking the highway in southern Beirut.
4-year-old Reem, happily plays with her new toys in her new apartment. Her brother, 9-year-old Abdullelah, is back in school after three years of absence.
For Abdul, it’s a long way from Yarmouk, the Palestinian refugee camp.
He says: “I’m not a beggar. I wasn’t going around begging,” Abdul said. “I was just a pen seller and the whole world saw me.”
Comments
Loading…