Nujeen Mustafa

Nujeen Mustafa’s story is not just one of survival but of unbreakable will, courage, and leadership. Born with cerebral palsy in Aleppo, Syria, Nujeen was confined to her apartment most of her life. Her confinement did not limit her spirit; she taught herself English by watching shows on TV, embracing a world beyond her physical boundaries.

When the war in Syria broke out, Nujeen’s life drastically changed. Forced to flee her home first to Kobane and then to Turkey, she faced the harsh realities of a refugee. The family’s financial constraints were such that Nujeen’s parents had to stay behind in Turkey, leaving the young girl to embark on a perilous 3,500-mile journey to Germany with her sister, all while in a steel wheelchair. Her destination was not just a place of safety but a beacon of hope and a promise of education.

The journey was filled with inconceivable odds, yet Nujeen’s optimism and defiance shone through, making her the human face of an increasingly dehumanised crisis. Her story transcended the narrative of struggle to become a testament to resilience, courage, and the unwavering belief in the possibility of a better life.