#1 The Picture That Changed His Life
A Syrian refugee, Abdul Halim al-Attar was attempting to support his family by selling pens in Beirut, carrying his daughter with him as he did.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvdW3PB5Apy35ZO2gNu2f49SEYXddrL2M8MGhHwXuRys3Q4CLMMxLCMjwG0cB5qktG_QJkJBGL2Gx_JE426eyMlxOE5xRH6M-NmUPKyZa515nY1YDTUCsxrLuRbfkXVlUgDyuDTYtwIY/s200/2.PNG)
His 4-year-old daughter Reem was his only family in with him, his wife
having returned to Syria months after they fled. Al-Attar stayed with
Reem, deciding Syria was no place for his girl.
#3 A Stranger's Car
But just one picture changed Abdul and his daughter's lives. Gissur Simonarso, a web developer from Norway, started a crowdfunding venture to raise money for the two -- the final amount totaling over $200,000.
#4 Paying It Forward
Al-Attar used the money to open up businesses in Lebanon and, further, he hired refugees to work in them providing livelihoods for people just like him.
#5 A New Life
"Not only did my life change, but also the lives of my children and the lives of people in Syria whom I helped."
From pen-seller on the streets to entrepreneur and provider, al-Attar is an amazing example of what hope and philanthropy can do for people.