The life of a single father, who just three days ago was spotted selling pens in the streets of Beirut to feed his tired young daughter, has been forever changed thanks to a single photograph.
Abdul Halim Attar is a Palestinian-Syrian refugee living in Lebanon with his 9-year-old son Abdelillah and his 4-year-old daughter Reem.
When activist Gissur Simonarson posted the heartbreaking picture in Beirut while carrying his sleeping daughter on social media, little did he know that people across the world will come forward to help the man.
The photo, which went viral, was posted by the activist from Oslo on Twitter last week.
It shows the Syrian man, who escaped the war-torn country, visibly distressed and trying to sell the pens in Beirut, Lebanon, so that he could feed his two children.
Syrian father selling pens in the streets of #Beirut with his sleeping daughter #Lebanon #Syria pic.twitter.com/KOz4mjW1rd
— Gissur Simonarson CN (@GissiSim) August 25, 2015
After requests for help poured in, Simonarson took to Twitter again to ask people if anyone could locate the man in Beirut.
Gotten a lot of requests to help this man and his daughter. Anyone know people in Beirut able to locate him? #BuyPens pic.twitter.com/KOz4mjW1rd
— Gissur Simonarson CN (@GissiSim) August 25, 2015
Soon enough, Abdul, who is a Palestinian Syrian from notorious Yarmouk camp, was found. He is a single father of two children including the young girl, Reem, seen in the picture and nine-year-old son Abdelillah.
Finally found him =) Been a lot of work, but it was worth it! Now lets help them! https://t.co/Fcg59KTbbh pic.twitter.com/SjIDmytCeG
— Gissur Simonarson CN (@GissiSim) August 27, 2015
Abdul is a Palestinian Syrian from the notorious Yarmouk camp seen in this photo. He’s a single dad with 2 children. pic.twitter.com/egFy2Bk3lX
— Gissur Simonarson CN (@GissiSim) August 27, 2015
The fundraising page #BuyPens quickly surpassed its goal of USD 5,000 and raised over USD 70,000.
The love just keeps pouring in. Can’t say thank you enough guys. Appreciate everyone donating to #BuyPens pic.twitter.com/lW75Vq6gwd
— Gissur Simonarson CN (@GissiSim) August 28, 2015