Oblivious to the world that was sympathizing with his misery, this Syrian refugee had no idea that a picture of him selling pens on the streets of Beirut, Lebanon, would herald a turning point in his life. Faith in humanity was reaffirmed when people from all across the world came forward to help.

Simonarson then launched a campaign called 'Help Abdul and Reem start a new life'. The crowdfunding initiative elicited a huge response and a sum of USD 5,000 was raised within 30 minutes. It soon crossed USD 162, 173.

Soon after that, a Lebanese activist Carol Malouf established contact with Abdul and is working to get his paperwork in Lebanon done and arranging for the kids' admission in school.

In an interview withSKY News Arabia, Abdul said: "I was walking near a hospital in Beirut when a man came up and told that the whole world is talking about my story."

Abdul wants to return to Syria and educate his children. Overwhelmed with the support he received, he added: "I feel like I am in a dream. I still cannot believe what has happened to me. That the whole world stood by me. And I thank them so much I don't know how to thank them."

All Images: twitter.com