Today's Task with the Summer Learning Journey is to retell Yusra Mardini's Story. When I read her story on her website I felt really hopeful and it is a really inspirational story. I hope you follow through and enjoy it.
Yusra and her elder sister fled the Syrian war and set off on a perilous journey to find safety in Europe. In summer 2015, they traveled through Lebanon to Turkey before departing for Greece in an overcrowded dinghy.
Fifteen minutes later into the sea crossing the boat’s engine failed and stopped. As a professional swimmer, Yusra was determined not to let any of her passengers drown. Yusra, her sister, and two others jumped into the waves and swam for three and a half hours in open water to stop their dinghy from capsizing, and then saving the lives of 20 people.
As time went by a year later Yusaras courage and determination and strong swimming skills were recognized by the international worldwide Olympic committee and she then became a member of the first-ever refugee Olympic team.
Years later she has addressed (Talked too) the United Nations such as Barack Obama and Pope Francis. Yusra Mardini has been presented with many awards and has been recognized by the New York Times, people and magazines.
Yusra now lives in Berlin, Germany and is concentrating on her professional swimming career. Her goal is to compete at the next Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020. Yusra is a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency and works global perceptions of refugees. Her message of hope, determination, and courage reminds us that those who flee their countries are capable of achieving great things later in life.
Quote "We Only Live Once So Make It Worth It!"
Kia Ora Bella,
ReplyDeleteYusra Mardini is an exceptional woman. She has an amazing story and is so remarkable in all that she does. You have done an utterly brilliant job recanting her life. Well done. What a lovely balance of pictures to text as well. You have worded it all marvellously!
Have you ever done something incredibly hard to help someone like Yusra did for the other refugees on the dinghy?
Don’t forget to include a link to where you got the images and information from. Its always important to cite your sources.
Keep up the great work!
Shannon (SLJ)