Remember the Syrian refugee pictured selling pens to feed his kids? He is now an employer! (photos) | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

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Friday 4 December 2015

Remember the Syrian refugee pictured selling pens to feed his kids? He is now an employer! (photos)

It is amazing what people are capable of achieving if given opportunities. And doesn't he look younger? Few months ago, Abdul Halim al-Attaa was photgraphed trying to sell biros to passing drivers in the scorching heat in the Lebanese capital, while carrying his sleeping daughter on his shoulder.
 
After the heartbreaking photo went viral on the internet, a crowdfunding was started in his name. Gissur Simonarson, founder of Conflict News created the twitter account @butpens and an Indigo page to raise $5,000 (£3306) for Abdul and his family. 


After three months, the campaign had far surpassed its goal – it raised £186,282 allowing him to open three businesses and employ other asylum seekers. In the last two months, the 33-year-old father of two was able to first open a bakery, and then later a kebab shop and a small restaurant. He also gave away about £16,530 to friends and relatives in Syria.

     "Not only did my life change, but also the lives of my children and the lives of people in Syria whom I helped," Abdul said. 
 
Abdul have also moved with his children from their small one bedroom to a two bedroom flat in an unfurnished building in southern Beirut. His wife returned to Syria, and they are currently separated.
While the apartment is sparsely furnished, his four-year-old daughter Reem – who was sleeping on her dad’s shoulder in the viral photo have few new toys to play with. After three years of being at home, his nine-year-old son Abdullelah, has now gone back to school.
 
Photo credit: AP

75 comments:

STERN said...

PRAISE THE LORD!

AC£S said...

So so happy for them. 'Stay Positive'

Unknown said...

Wow!

Dis is really wholesome and...

May d Lord abundantly bless and turn around d lives of those dat positively impact his life and family.

Comment frm ROYAL PRIESTHOOD (royalpriesthood007@gmail.com)

Unknown said...

Ow! So happy for him......that last pic just melted my heart.......




----JUST KEEPING IT REAL----

AC£S said...

Stay Positive!

Sommie. said...

Awww thank God.

Mr_SouL Get Naija Twitter/IG followers/7AB109CB said...

U mean if i buy biro, carry my Aunty Dota For shoulder enter 3rd imela bridge under 3monthis I go make enof money to build club?

Anonymous said...

Amen!!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous story. The world needs more of these types of stories.

Unknown said...

Wow! Good news.

Chidinma Inspirations said...

It is amazing how disappointments can turn into blessings when God is involved.

Greater heights I pray for the man. Sometimes all what many need is just little opportunity with that little opportunity given they can use it to build an Empire. A man with a business mind is all I see here. A man determined to gradually build an empire is all I see here.

All glory belongs to God alone.

Anonymous said...

Linda whoever is doing your write up should be changed. Unforgivable blunders made in this post

Unknown said...

Wow am so happy for him. May it be well with him

Anonymous said...

GOOD FOR HIM. I HOPE HIS NEXT STOP WILL NOT BE ISIS.

Unknown said...

Wow! No mountain is too high. All matters is grabbing any opportunity that calls...αи∂ making something out of nothing














#iT wiLL oNLy gEt bEttER
#It MuSt eNd iN prAiSE

Unknown said...

Whoahhhh!!!!!thank God 4 him,I really love his enterpreneur spirit......kudos sir

Anonymous said...

Nice.....

OSINANL said...

I pray he doesn't turn out to be a monster against the West tomorrow...

edDREAMZ said...

a.k.a EDWIN CHINEDU AZUBUKO said...
.
Congrats to him.... The power of internet..
.
.
***CURRENTLY IN JUPITER***

Unknown said...

Wow! That's Good
In nigeria?? Forget it

Anonymous said...

Make God punish you

@MEETD®EALEVANS™ said...

PARENTAL ADVISORY
^^^Adult Content^^^


There re worst people in Lagos,


But our celeb will prefer paying groupies

Unknown said...

HALLLELUYAH!

May d Lord b praise now and forever for dis glorious turn around 4d life of dis man and his family.

Comment frm ROYAL PRIESTHOOD (royalpriesthood007@gmail.com)

Unknown said...

Great stuff!


OKORO UPGRADED

Unknown said...

I'm really happy for him. God be praised! Linda take note!

Anonymous said...

Hahahahahahaha my belle oh
Chai!!!
Crazy fellow

Jules said...

Who be this one?

Anonymous said...

Na she naw, only if u want the blog to be shut down!!! Btw these same blunders bought a house in banana island, what has your grammatically correct write up given you?

Unknown said...

May God bless all those who contributed to this success story.


















#TeamBlessed#

Anonymous said...

i pray he continues to show gratitude to God and fellow human beings i believe most of this money must have come from western world ..i hope he doesn't go and join ISIS later to harm the very people who helped him out

MADE IN NIGERIA said...

Wow!!! I must admit I shed a tear or two......imagine the smile on dat poor girls face? To God be the glory!

Unknown said...

Happy for him.

Unknown said...

Oh beautiful. Thank God.
~D great anonymous!

Unknown said...

Awww that's nice

ary said...

I like how humans act it when the time calls for it.

knowurway.com said...

Osinanl, u re right oh. I also pray so, nd I thank God for hearing his cry.

knowurway.com said...

Lol!!!!!!!!!!! Anon 8:47 pm, why na? Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!

SMURF said...

But on a more serious note, some Nigerian women do almost the same everyday!! Back their baby and hawk pure water or agege bread..... no one really helps them though.

Unknown said...

Wow!!! Dis is so amazing, Thank God for him

Juleslouis said...

OmGoddddd! I'm so moved to tears. Even though he had a little he still helped others. Woooowwww!
Not all muslims r bad u see. Thank God!

Unknown said...

All the Glory to God.

***LIBER FINEST***

Unknown said...

Hallelujah somebody

Linda's boyfriend said so

Unknown said...

woow.great.

Unknown said...

In life never give up...an hen that is not dead yet can still eat ..

Anonymous said...

That is good of him, may God bless those that help me

Unknown said...

@ OSI someone that was helped by the west that even employed the less privileged? Not everyone can be like u

Unknown said...

Awwwwwn, so happy for him

Anonymous said...

Wow! D power of social media oooo. And dey won't to shut us up, Oriegwu!

Unknown said...

Wow, God is great. some people need just a push.

Chiisunshine(carolips) said...

TO God be the glory

Unknown said...

NEVER GIVE UP!!!

Unknown said...

Gud for him

Anonymous said...

Wow nice one very entrepreneur

Anonymous said...

May Almighty God make u pass tru that man pass life without a helper in Jesus name

Alloy Chikezie said...

Wow
Really happy for him.

Your comment will be visible after approval.

Moses Iwux said...

When God says yes...
He's done well for himself

Unknown said...

it's better to give money to one who has suffered and passed through life tough times because he will value and will be able to invest the money in revenue generating business for he would not like to end up suffering all through his life than a person born with silver spoon in the mouth.

Unknown said...

I shed so many tears... of joy for them

Unknown said...

If u do dat one for here 20 yrs u still dey u r on ur own in naija

Unknown said...

Looking cute and handsome...........money dey yabu man.....

KWEEN said...

Why do I feel it's Laura or Linda herself that typed this reply?

Unknown said...

Very happy for him

WARNING! Don't do this after eating

Didi 3000 said...

This story brought tears to my eyes.
My people, pls always reach out and help. Not everyone is poor because they are lazy. Na Condition just bend d bongafish back.
Remember God, and help always.

Unknown said...

When there's life..there's hope

Unknown said...

Ask the idiot..so someone should loose their job cos of some uncommon typo...u are wicked..

Anonymous said...

People are capable of great compassion! Unfortunately, few of those ever become political leaders!I'm happy for him and family. Let's pray for millions worse off around the world.

Unknown said...

Awwww! Just like in the Nol... sorry Hollywood movies. Movies are becoming realities these days.

Oyinsmatch said...

Amazing! There are a billion reasons to believe there is no limit to what you can achieve if given the opportunity.

Unknown said...

This is how God intended us to be...our brothers keepers....the world will be a better place if we continue to look out for each other....

Anonymous said...

Life is beautiful when things like this happen. Thanks be to God.

Anonymous said...

It is indiegogo not indigo

The Creator's Muse said...

So happy for him!

Unknown said...

Lwkm ooo Chai LIBers
~D great anonymous!

Unknown said...

Wow, God is awesome!

Anonymous said...

Lwtmb what planet r u from lmao too funny. No be only club u go build na psychiatric hospital

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