Share this @internewscast.com
South of the Syrian border, in a gritty neighbourhood in Jordan, colourful murals show stories of struggle across ageing apartment blocks where refugees are seeking a better life.
While poverty, limited work and the fight to keep children in school are daily realities in this community, a sporting club called Squash Dreamers is providing a sanctuary for young girls.
“Through Squash Dreamers I found my fighting spirit,” Fatima Al-Aboud told SBS News. Al-Aboud fled the Syrian civil war with her family at the age of four and joined the program six years ago.
Squash Dreamers combines squash training for national and international tournaments with intensive academic and language support.
After excelling both on the court and in the classroom, Al-Aboud has made history by becoming the first Syrian girl to receive a scholarship to Westminster School in the United States.
“I am so happy, nervous, excited, everything. When my teacher found out, she started to cry. My mum started to cry. They all cried. And then we called my dad because he’s in Syria and he was very, very happy,” she said.

Without the scholarship, Al-Aboud stated that she would have had no choice but to return to Syria, where she would have completely lost the opportunity for education.

Two young girls sit on the ground wearing hijabs and writing in notebook

Fatima Al-Aboud has made a groundbreaking achievement by becoming the first Syrian girl to earn a scholarship to Westminster School in Connecticut.

Now, she is determinedly pursuing her ambition to become a psychologist, a goal she sees as a fight on behalf of all girls who share her circumstances.

“What is so wonderful about this place is that the girls we have are staying in school until they’re 18. They’re not getting married. They’re not dropping out. These girls are happy,” said Squash Dreamers executive director Daisy Van Leeuwen-Hill.
“I would really put a lot of our success down to the fact that we really try so hard to listen to the community. We started slowly adding academics, fitness, wellbeing support, mental health and we even started providing meals at every single session because some kids were fainting from hunger,” she said.
“Watching these young girls grow from people who believe their world is so small and then watching them bloom like beautiful flowers, it’s amazing. And the biggest success we’ve had at Squash Dreamers is the fact that this incredibly warm community has been formed,” she said.

Although educational opportunities are available in Jordan, many refugee families encounter significant challenges in re-enrolling their children in school. UNICEF reports that over 40% of Syrian refugee children between the ages of 12 and 15 in Jordan drop out of school, an issue that Squash Dreamers is actively addressing.

A blonde woman embraces a young girl as other girls watch on

This supportive community reaches beyond just the girls themselves.

Syrian refugee Shadia Ammar works at Squash Dreamers, cooking for the 90 girls who are currently part of the program. She said she isn’t just an employee but rather a vital support network.

“I feel like I’m their mum and they definitely feel like I’m their mum. I always feel like they are my daughters,” she said.
“The Syrian people are strong. We were still here despite the war and the troubles. We have skills and we have not become weaker; we have become stronger,” she said.

Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, more than 50,000 Syrian refugees have already voluntarily returned to Syria from Jordan and more are considering the same journey.

For people like Ammar, Squash Dreamers is more than a program.
What is being learned in Jordan, she believes, will eventually travel back across the border, helping to shape the future of an entire country.
“When we return to Syria, everyone here will take something from this country, will take the customs and traditions and the sweet things from this country and surely Syria will be much, much better,” she said.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
People enjoying a warm sunny morning at the Albert Park beach on an extreme hot day in Melbourne. 7 January 2026. Photo: Eddie Jim.

Record-Breaking Heatwave Set to Scorch the Capital City – Stay Prepared!

Melbourne is bracing itself for an unprecedented heatwave as it becomes one…

Venezuelan Leader Nicolas Maduro Denies US Legal Accusations in Court Appearance

Ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has pleaded not guilty to charges of…

US Supports Europe’s Commitment to Binding Security Guarantees for Ukraine

The United States has for the first time backed a broad coalition…

U.S. Legal Proceedings Against Nicolás Maduro: Could the Venezuelan Leader Face a Life Sentence?

Key Points Nicolás Maduro has pleaded not guilty to a range of…
Retired couple lose luxury apartment due to developer's sunrise clause

Retired Couple Forced Out of Luxury Apartment as Developer Activates Controversial Sunrise Clause

A retired couple from Queensland found themselves in a difficult situation just…
Australia's online watchdog investigates Grok's sexualised deepfake images as global backlash grows

Australia’s Online Regulator Probes Grok’s Explicit Deepfake Images Amidst Worldwide Criticism

Australians are part of the growing number of people worldwide who have…

Discover Why More Women Are Embarking on Solo Road Trips

Judi Tarn was halfway up a “treacherous” mountain trail in the French…
The Walwa bushfire has burned thorugh more than 1000 hectares of Mt Lawson National Park.

Authorities Alert Victorians to Elevated Fire Risk as Wildfire Sweeps Through State Park

Extreme temperatures, hot northerly winds and dry lightning could spark uncontrollable fires…
Greenland is home to just over 56,000 residents.

Unveiling Trump’s Greenland Ambitions: The Real Story Behind the Controversial Proposal

When US forces struck the Venezuelan capital and ousted the country’s president…
'Serious questions' over Melbourne sinkhole, tunnelling expert says

Melbourne Sinkhole Sparks Concerns: Tunnelling Expert Raises Alarming Questions

The Melbourne sinkhole that opened up near a major tunnelling project poses…
AI dominates as Australia's fastest-growing jobs revealed

AI Careers Surge: Australia’s Fastest-Growing Job Sector Unveiled

The position of AI engineer has seen the most significant growth over…
Greenland seeks meeting with US amid White House talk of takeover

Greenland Pursues Diplomatic Talks with US as White House Acquisition Rumors Swirl

Greenland is seeking a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio…