It’s an image that pains your heart to see. A
shabbily dressed man running dangerously between cars, pens in one hand and his
sleeping daughter in the other. The little girl’s arm is hanging limp down his
back, she’s not even wearing shoes. The man’s eyes are filled with
desperation.
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| Twitter/GissiSim |
This image was captured in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. After a
journalist shared the photo on Twitter, it went viral, touching the hearts of
many around the world. The man is one among many thousands of refugees fleeing
conflict in the Middle East. Many are trying to survive in Lebanon without any
support or aid.
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| Twitter/GissiSim |
The man was identified in a news report. His name is Abdul Halim
al-Attar. He is a 33-year-old single father who is trying to pull through with
his 2 young children. That is why he was out on the streets trying to sell
pens.
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| You Tube/Jessy El Murr |
As
people around the world heard about and were touched by this father’s story,
more and more decided to play a part in determining his future. The goal of
raising $5,500 in donations was blown out of the water. In 3 months, people
from around the world donated a sum close to $200,000.
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| Twitter/GissiSim |
But due to a rule that prevents refugees from opening bank accounts in
Lebanon, he could only receive some 40% of the total donations via a complex
bureaucratic process.
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| Twitter/GissiSim |
Nevertheless, Abdul was able to use the money to start rebuilding his
life. He bought a bakery, a restaurant, and a kebab shop. He employed 16 other
refugees and is helping them get back on their feet.
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| You Tube/whatevvervideos |
The money made it possible for his 9-year-old son to finally return to
school after 3 years without it, and his sweet 4-year-old daughter is all
smiles about her new toys.
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| You Tube/whatevvervideos |
The family of 3, which had been living in a single room, could finally
move into a proper apartment. Abdul distributed the remainder of the money
among his friends and family who are still back in his war-torn homeland.
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| You Tube/whatevvervideos |
“It’s not just my life that has changed,” said Abdul, “but the lives of
my children and all the people at home who I was able to help.”
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| You Tube/whatevvervideos |
The refugee situation in
Lebanon is particularly dicey. There is little to no government support, the
refugees struggle to find work, and thousands are living homeless on the
streets. The small country is being pushed to its limits.
Share Abdul’s story to
remind others of the difference that one man can make for the lives of so many
people. No one should have to lose their home and family to war.
Source : hefty