A Black Belt and a Bold Spirit: a Syrian Teen's Story Shows How Our Medical Aid Program Supports Healthcare in Jordan
Mar, 2026
Anera’s product donations program helps a young refugee athlete regain her confidence to pursue her dreams
Every afternoon in Zaatari Refugee Camp, the sports hall fills with the sharp rhythm of feet striking mats. Among the athletes training there, one young Taekwondo fighter stands out.
Rua’a moves quickly and precisely, her black belt tied tightly around her waist. She has trained for years to reach this level. But the journey to stand confidently on that mat was not always easy.
Like thousands of refugees across Jordan, Rua’a’s family rebuilt their lives after fleeing Syria. They arrived from Damascus when she was still very young.
“I was around four years old when my family came to Jordan, so I don’t remember much. I grew up here,” she says.
Today she lives in Zaatari Camp with her parents and five siblings. Her father works in a fertilizer factory outside the camp and can only return home a few days each month. Despite the challenges, Rua’a and her family remain focused on building a future beyond the camp.
For Rua’a, that future includes both education and sport.
“I studied a lot during my first year of tawjihi (high school) and I will study even more during my second year,” she says.
“I want to enroll in university and study languages or law. I also want to become a taekwondo coach and a referee.”
“Do not lose hope and remain confident.”
Her schedule leaves little room for rest. She wakes at four in the morning to study before school. After classes, she returns home for lunch before heading straight to the sports center to train.
Her dedication has already paid off. Rua’a earned her black belt and now hopes to represent the camp in an international taekwondo championship in 2027.
But while she continued to train and study, another battle was quietly affecting her confidence.
When Confidence Is Tested
During her teenage years, Rua’a developed severe acne. For many young people it is a temporary inconvenience. For her, it became much more painful and emotionally difficult.
“It was not easy,” she recalls. “When I used to go to the sports center or even a championship, a random girl would approach me and comment on my acne, giving unsolicited advice.”
She tried several treatments but none of them worked well, and some came with significant side effects.
“One medicine drained my body of water and affected my knees and my ability to stand,” she explains. “I had to stop taking it after one month.”
At its worst, the condition caused painful open cuts on her skin. For an athlete constantly facing others, the experience chipped away at her confidence and ambition.
“I remember the day I noticed the difference. I saw my face looking better and ran to show my mother!”
A Turning Point
One day, sick with the flu, Rua’a visited the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) clinic in Zaatari Camp to get treatment. During the consultation, a doctor suggested an acne medication she had never tried.
The treatment was available through Anera’s product donations program. Through this program, Anera works with international partners to deliver high value medicines, medical equipment, and healthcare supplies to vulnerable communities across Jordan, Palestine, and Lebanon. In many cases, these in-kind donations, facilitated through partners such as International Health Partners and Airlink, ensure that patients can access treatments that might otherwise be unavailable.
Rua’a decided to try the medication.
“I took it for three months,” she says. “After one month, I started to see improvement.”
With regular consultations at the clinic, the change became increasingly visible.
“I remember the day I noticed the difference,” she says with a smile. “I saw my face looking better and ran to show my mother!”
Fighting Forward
Today, Rua’a is tackling her studies and her taekwondo with renewed confidence.
Her experience has also given her a message for others who may be struggling with similar challenges.
“Don’t believe everything you see on the internet,” she says. “Always consult a professional. They are the ones who can truly help.”
And for young girls facing moments of doubt, she offers simple advice.
“Do not lose hope and remain confident.”
A Chain of Compassion
Rua’a’s story is just one example of the impact of Anera’s product donations program.
Across Jordan, thousands of refugees rely on humanitarian health services to access essential medicines and specialized treatment. In camps like Zaatari, these partnerships help ensure that vulnerable families can receive the care they need and deserve.
For young athletes like Rua’a, that support can mean far more than a medical prescription. It can mean the confidence to step back onto the mat without thinking, lift their head high, and keep chasing their dreams.
