The Syrians I have spoke to have a suffered in ways unimaginable to most.

Some have shared their stories with me and this blog, some have asked me to keep their tales to myself.

They have been stabbed, tortured, imprisoned, made treacherous journeys, lost their homes, lost relatives, lost friends, lost hope in this war that has torn their country apart ever ending.

But they were the lucky ones.

It may have taken them several attempts, they may have thought they were going to die, but they crossed the Mediterranean.

They survived a journey that they shouldn’t have had to take in the first place.

They were the lucky ones.

If anyone still needs convincing as to why we should open our homes and our hearts.

This is the story of 8 year old Laya, who drowned at sea.