Abdul Halim al-Attar, Syrian refugee and now the owner of 3 businesses, didn’t have a great start. A photograph of him selling pens on the street in Syria whilst carrying his sleeping daughter went viral throughout the world, sparking sympathy and grief. I remember seeing the picture online a few months ago in August, and all I did was sympathize. I thought, “wow, some people have it a lot worse than I do”, and continued to scroll down my news feed like it was something I saw very often. Eventually another “sad” photo would pop up, and it’d be the same routine every day. Online journalist and web developer from Norway, Gissur Simonarson, decided to actually do something about it instead. Abdul Halim al-Attar was located, and Simonarson started an Indiegogo campaign with a goal to raise $5000 for al-Attar and his family. Donations poured in, and together the world made a whopping $191 000 for them. Since then, al-Attar has opened two bakeries and a kebab shop, in which he employs and supports 16 Syrian refugees. Not only that, but his nine-year-old son has begun attending school after being absent for three years, his daughter has toys to play with now, and they’ve moved from living in a single bedroom to a two bedroom apartment.
This story is incredibly refreshing and happy compared to the news that we usually hear the media discussing. However, what struck me all of a sudden, and what I want to share, is that if no one had paid attention to this poor man, if no one had taken a picture of this man and shared it on social media, his situation wouldn’t have changed. If no one had noticed this man and paid attention, there’d be a good chance that he’d still be on the streets selling pens today, with people and cars rushing past him and his exhausted daughter. The photographer who did notice however, was an ordinary passer-by, like you and I.
The least and the most you can do to help anyone, is to pay attention to what is taking place. If you ever want to make a change in this world, begin by paying attention, just like Simonarson and the photographer had done. Put your phone down and be attentive to the homeless begging on the streets. Look around your school to see if there’s litter, and see what you can pick up. Look around the hallways in school to find out about and support the amazing initiatives taking place. When you talk to your own mother, look into her eyes to see if you spot sorrow or exhaustion, and offer to help.
Although paying attention seems like the world’s simplest task, it can be difficult to do and many of us neglect it. You get use to seeing homeless people begging on the streets (I, II). You get use to seeing your mom’s tired eyes. The posters around the school become almost invisible, as though they’ve sunk in and become part of the walls. You’re bedroom has been messy for weeks now, but you don’t notice your scattered clothes and papers until your siblings or parents point it out to you; or unless it’s gotten messy to the point that it’s difficult for you to walk around or work. It’s likely that we’ve experienced at least one of these moments before. Until the situation has gotten to the point of “I can’t ignore this anymore”, most of us tend not to do anything about it. I mean, what situation doesn’t this apply to? The war in Syria started many years ago, but it’s not until we see children washing upon shores that the world begins roaring. Similarly, climate change is off to a great (not so great) start, yet many politicians and countries will likely wait for islands to begin submerging under the sea to seriously and thoughtfully sit down and make plans about tackling climate change. Why has this ignorance become part of who we are as humans? How do we change this?
All the change in the world begins with you. Similar to the passer-by who photographed al-Attar, similar to the man who started the fundraising campaign, pay attention and heed to events and issues taking place, locally and globally. Now, I’m not saying to go downtown and photograph homeless people like the passer-by in al-Attar’s story (unless you love photography and have received consent from the individual). What I’m saying is next time you see a homeless person, hand him/her a couple of a dollars or buy them lunch, and go online to see how you can help the homeless in your city. Take small steps to fundraise or raise awareness, and/or simply support existing initiatives in your community or school. Do not turn your head away from those in need; do not ignore their existence. Even if you have no money nor time to spare, turn towards them, flash a smile and say hello; that kind and simple gesture might be exactly the thing they were needing.
Change: start small, grow big.
But first, begin by paying attention.
Featured Image: source