"My dream was to get an Olympic gold medal in swimming and make everyone stand up for my Syrian anthem,” says Sarah Mardini (25) from her home in Berlin. After her house was lost in the war in Syria, her family decided it was time to leave. Reaching Europe meant crossing from Turkey to Greece by sea. 15 minutes into the journey, the engine cut out. Sarah and her sister entered the water and started pushing the boat. No longer were they swimming for medals - they were swimming for their lives. “It was scary… even if you're professional swimmer,” she says. “I just didn't want to die.” After three and a half hours they delivered the boat, and all in it, safely to Greece. Five years later, therapy helps Sarah process all she’s been through. There’s trauma, but also positive outcomes: “because of what happened five years ago. I am who I am today.” She says, “I am stronger, braver.” She adds, “after this journey, I think me and my sister can go to the moon and come back, and I know we can do it.”

Courtesy 1000dreams project