Anees’s Story: Hurt in Gaza, Treated in Jordan
Anees, 13, lost his brother Yousef and was badly injured in their tent in Gaza. He came to Jordan for treatment and says he will play football again.
Pictured
Smiling boy sitting up in a hospital bed with a drip stand and teal blanket
FAJR’s leadership on Our TeamI really love football, and I love Cristiano Ronaldo. I wish I could become a famous player like him.
I’m Anees, and I’m 13 years old. Before the war, I loved school, especially English class, and I loved playing football in the street with my friends. My mom always told me, “Study!” But what could I do? I just love football so much.
I used to play in our neighborhood and imagine I was in a huge stadium, with everyone cheering as I scored. After the match, I would give interviews and say, “I’m Anees, and I really love football.”
The person who supported me most was my brother, Yousef.
But when I lost Yousef, I lost my biggest fan. He was killed right next to me in our tent. In that same moment, I was injured, and that injury took football away from me.
My life has changed so much. It wasn’t just that I couldn’t play football anymore. I couldn’t even walk normally.
My injury was very severe, and I was in so much pain in Gaza. Then I came to Jordan to get proper treatment and try to heal.
I miss normal life. I miss running. I miss playing with my friends. I even miss my mom shouting at me to stop playing football and go study.
But I know that one day, I’ll play a full match again without getting tired.
Despite everything, I still dream. Maybe my dream is even bigger now, because I’ve learned how beautiful the simple things in life really were.
Read about FAJR’s medical evacuations from Gaza and the MedEvac program, or see FAJR in Jordan.
