“Every day is better than the last because of my mom,” says Bushra, a 16-year-old tenth grader in the Zaatari refugee camp. The strength and determination she carries today are the result of her mother’s resilience and unwavering support, which guided her through some of the most difficult times in their lives.
After Bushra’s father passed away during the war in Syria, her mother became the foundation of their family. “My mother took on everything. She didn’t just go to work to provide for us; she made sure we were okay emotionally too,” Bushra says. “She always knew how to help me stay strong, reminding me that we couldn’t dwell on the past and that we had to keep moving forward.”
“Everything had changed so suddenly. The future seemed uncertain, and the weight of the loss was overwhelming. But my mom kept the family together. She was there, telling me that no matter how hard things were, we still had a future to look forward to.”
Her mother was always by her side, not just working to provide for the family but also provided emotional support as well. “She would sit with me, make sure I never felt alone, and reassure me that I had the strength to get through anything,” Bushra shares. “She’d always tell me, ‘You must stay strong. Your future is something only you can build and its worth working hard for.’”
Her mother’s words weren’t just comforting; they were motivating. “She didn’t just tell me to be strong—she showed me what strength really looks like,” Bushra says. “She worked tirelessly to care for us, to make sure we had what we needed. Despite everything, she never gave up. She always believed in me, telling me, ‘You are stronger than you think. Keep working hard, and you can do anything.’”
Bushra’s mother didn’t just offer advice—she led by example. “She worked hard every day, no matter how difficult it got. I watched her give everything to keep us safe and hopeful,” Bushra says. “Her actions spoke louder than anything. She never allowed herself to break, and that gave me the strength to keep going.”
Today, Bushra is one of the top students in her class, dreaming of becoming a lawyer to help others. “I want to be like my mom,” she says. “She taught me that education is the key to a better future, no matter how uncertain things may feel. It’s how you fight back.”
In 2015, Bushra’s family fled Ghouta, Syria, escaping the violence that had torn their lives apart, when her father passed away during the war.
After his passing, Bushra’s mother made the courageous decision to leave Syria and seek safety in Jordan. They arrived in the Zaatari refugee camp, starting their new life with little more than a tent. “At first, we didn’t have much,” Bushra recalls. “But we were safe, and the chance to go to school was something I never thought I’d have again. That was everything to me.”
Even with everything they had lost, Bushra’s mother made sure they had everything they needed—not just to survive, but to rebuild their lives. “She never let me give up,” Bushra says. “When I felt overwhelmed, she would remind me that we could still shape our future. Her strength was the foundation that helped me find my own.”
