Sarah Mardini is a human rights activist, lifeguard, and former competitive swimmer from Syria. The story of Sarah Mardini is one of incredible bravery and tenacity. Born in Syria in 1995, she grew up with a passion for swimming, honing her skills in the waters of Damascus. However, amidst the turmoil of the Syrian civil war, Sarah's life took an unexpected turn. Sarah set out on a dangerous journey in 2015 with her sister Yusra to escape the bloodshed in Syria. In a little dinghy, they traveled across the Aegean Sea to Greece. The motor gave out halfway through the perilous voyage, causing the boat to start sinking. Adrift between the Middle East and Europe, the mare nostrum, Sarah and Yusra waded into the ocean in spite of the danger, using their swimming prowess to propel the boat and rescue the other passengers. Their brave deeds brought them recognition on a global scale, leading to them being dubbed the "Swimming Sisters." Sarah refused to give up on the predicament of refugees like herself after coming to Greece. She was quite interested in humanitarian work, volunteering to be a lifeguard on the beaches of Lesbos, where a great number of refugees came to find sanctuary. However, Sarah's advocacy didn't end there. She spoke out against the injustices that refugees experienced and brought attention to the terrible reality of displacement by using her position to advocate for the rights of refugees. She has addressed audiences in Germany, France, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Bulgaria, as well as before the UN General Assembly in New York with her sister Yusra. Sarah persevered in her goal to change the world in spite of obstacles in her personal life and even legal issues. Sarah Mardini has become a global refugee symbol of hope and resiliency owing to her unflinching bravery and determination. Her experience is a potent reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the value of helping those in need, regardless of the difficulties we face. Alongside her sister, she was listed by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2023. Sarah and her sister's story was documented in Netflix's film and documentary titled, "The Swimmer."

click here