She stood in front of the collapsing building, shivering from the cold that even the fires that burned around her couldn’t keep away.

Her hazel eyes reflected a great amount of pain and suffering that no one of her age should ever know.

That was a year ago, now she stands in front of her tent looking over the refugee camp, they have been taken to, with the same gloomy hazel eyes that had seen too much, those eyes that make her look wiser than her age.

The tears flowed unchecked down her cheeks and dripped from her chin. She was too sad to cry out or wail, she just stood there as still as a statue while the magnitude of her loss swept over her, the loss of a safe place to grow up in, the loss of a bright future, the loss of happiness and meaningfulness.

She held her teddy bear close to her chest, it was her favourite toy growing up and the only one that had survived, she hugged him so tight as she rested her tired body onto a scruffy thin mattress that she considered her bed. She shut her eyes trying to push the tragic and heart-breaking memories from the war away. 

You are here with me Teds, you've always been here for me through thick and thin.

Once the first tear broke free the rest followed in an unbroken stream, they dripped slowly and slid down her rosy cheeks. She bit her lip tightly in the attempt to hide any sound that wanted to escape but eventually she gave up and she started sobbing and the tears burst forth like water from a dam, spilling down her face , the walls that held her up, made her strong just collapsed.

And suddenly she heard giggles and laughter and saw an iridescent spark of light coming from the end of the tunnel. She lifted her head up to take a deeper look at what was happening then she got out of her bed and started tiptoeing slowly towards the source of the glowing light. She was thrown off guard by the sight of her teddy bear laughing and playing and being full of life

Teds? 

Rama, Hey I didn't see you there! Come here, do you wanna play with me?

Rama was still in shock and at a loss for words, it took her a second to let the new sight sink in. Who blames her though? We don't see Teddy bears talking and moving casually every day. 

What happened to you ? 

Those were the only words that she managed to say. As soon as he heard her question, he turned around towards her direction and told her calmly.

This is the land of magic and glory called dreamland, everything happens in your dreams even the unbelievable.

Her shock turned into pure amazement, her eyes grew wider as she started looking around. The floor was covered in a fresh layer of bright green grass and in the centre there was a small lake with flowering lily pads and a wooden bridge that crossed the middle and there was a beautiful lemon tree that she considered the jewel of this heavenly place she was in because it reminded her of the lemon tree that stood in front of her home back in Syria. 

She took a deep breath as she got closer to the tree, the fresh sour aroma of the lemons brought such sweet memories from the past, her eyes shifted to the side and became glazed with a glassy layer of tears that she quickly concealed with her angelic smile.

What do you think about it so far ?

It's … It’s … I'm out of words ... It’s magnificent, beautiful, I love it”

Is this your first visit to dreamland?

Let me take you on a journey around here.

Her face lit up as soon as he said it. 

And by that an unforgettable experience is about to begin, they flew across the deep blue ocean in a magical flying car to their first destination, a place that has a special place in Rama’s heart, Syria.

As soon as the car landed, Rama knew it was her homeland. She was filled with emotions from excitement and happiness to sadness and hopelessness. They got out of the car and decided to look around and examine the place.

It’s even worse than how I left it ... I didn't imagine it's going to get this bad.

She said those heart-breaking words followed with a deep sigh as she looked around, the view was terrifying all you could see was collapsing buildings and deadly flames coming out of nowhere accompanied by the toxic clouds of smoke; it was like a living hell . 

I brought you here today for two reasons. First because I know how much you miss your country; second reason is because I want this to be your motivation to not give up your education, because with education we can achieve anything good in life. I believe in you, I believe that you can build a new better improved Syria.

But I'm just a kid, I can't do anything. People never listen to what we say.

Don’t worry. That's my job to help you with that … Now, are you ready to go to our next destination?

After a while, the car landed once again, but this time Rama didn't know exactly where they were, so she asked her furry friend to which he kindly responded with :

We are not there yet, we have to walk to our next destination.

Rama kept her eyes wide open the entire journey. She was so thrilled that she was visiting new places and discovering new things. They finally arrived.