Dear world - A Syrian girl recounts the war and calls for peace

Bana al-Abed was only three years old when a brutal civil war erupted in Aleppo, robbing her of her childhood. The following years brought her little more than shelling, destruction, and fear. The seven-year-old turned to Twitter to describe and document the hardships she and her family endured in a country torn apart by relentless war. Her messages, shared through a dedicated hashtag, resonated with the world, giving voice to innocent children who have no voice. More than just a family story during wartime, "Dear World" embodies a child's testimony and her experience of what is perhaps the most horrific human experience. It is a lesson in hope and love despite all the losses; the story of a brave little girl trapped by war who inspired the world with a simple message: I need peace. Bana al-Abed was only three years old when a fierce civil war broke out in Aleppo, robbing her of a happy and safe childhood. For the next four years, Bana knew nothing but bombing, destruction, and fear. The seven-year-old had no choice but to turn to Twitter to describe and document the horrors she and her family endured in a country torn apart by a relentless war. Her tweets, through a dedicated hashtag she created for this purpose, sparked sympathy around the world and became a voice for millions of innocent, voiceless children.
Beyond being simply a family story set against the backdrop of war, "Dear World" embodies a child's testimony and perspective on what could be one of the worst humanitarian crises of all time. It is a lesson in hope and love despite all the losses. It is the story of a brave little girl trapped by war who inspired the world with a simple message: "I need peace."