The Last Step

First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone for taking their time to read this. My name is Analicia Martinez and I am a student at Texas A&M University. This past summer I was given the amazing opportunity to study abroad in the country of Jordan.  I learned so much about the culture and language, but more than anything, made some valuable friendships I have ever had, including that with this amazing person named Sky Alju. Sky is a Syrian refugee looking for a way out of Jordan. I was able to help Sky raise some money while I was in Jordan, and I want to say thank you to all who were able to donate to him. We were able to give him around $500 for rent for a few months. Unfortunately, circumstances in Jordan have become worse and he needs help again. This is his story.  Thank you again for reading this, and may God bless you all.






Hello everyone,
My name is Sky and I am from Syria. Some call me Sama’a. I’ll talk a little about myself and the refugee situation in Jordan my situation, but if you want to know more, feel free to contact me, and I will have more to talk to you about. I’m a professional dancer who focuses on many different types of dance, but I’m especially focused upon animation dancing. Animation dancing consists of popping and tutting smoothly, and expressively, and requires a full awareness of your body movements at all times. I’ve been doing these things for a long time as it is my passion and my gift. I’m also doing others things such as teaching, acting, and professional cooking, amongst many other things. You might call me a jack of all trades in that respect.



The reality of my situation is quite bad. I’m currently living in Amman as a refugee, but by the skin of my teeth. I have been here for 5 years, and for the last few month I’ve been working very hard towards travelling abroad and continuing my education. During my time as a refugee I have seen a great many problems with everything relating to the conditions and treatment of those like me- those who have been assigned as a refugee. I cannot speak in any specific terms, because there are too many to address. After all, each family, each person, each individual carries with them an entire life held in precariousness. The sheer depth of their experiences and losses cannot be told in a few words. Speaking for myself, I’ve been dealing with difficulties within Jordan and Syria, as a refugee and person—a person named Sky. To be a refugee in any Arab country is a catastrophe, because it’s difficult to find fair work, you cannot live as you once did, not even marginally return to the life you once had. Many refugees seek to travel abroad, or anywhere other than their neighboring Arab countries because their experiences are akin to serfdom—Without our land, we have nothing to hold on to, to give us our place amongst other Arabs—even amongst the most liberal of our neighbors. It isn’t any specific case of abuse, rather it is a slow attrition of the hostility towards the other made manifest. I sense that I have been denied the opportunity to live the same as I once did, as have my fellow refugees. Why we consider the countries of Europe to be a beacon of better living is not because life for us would in fact be better, but because we could be afforded the chance to better our lives ourselves. Pride is considered a downfall, but when everything you had built comes crashing down, pride is what keeps you alive. The denial of the chance to regain our pride, our sense of self-worth, a denial blatantly expressed by our fellow Arab neighbors, that is worse than losing what you have worked towards—it is a prison which strips you of your God-given abilities and says, “I took your name, your hands, and your minds for your benefit; be grateful.”
However, every prison is built by man, and can be broken just as easily. That is where I believe you and I can work together. I have been building a plan towards my immediate and long-term future. Within respect towards the immediate, I have been moving forward with immigrating legally to the countries of Finland and France. The three hurdles which currently stand in my way are: the acquisition of a passport, the commitment of a sponsor, and, for the sake of my own peace of mind and to not be beholden to my sponsor, the gathering of living expenses for myself during the early period of my immigration as I would seek employment and self-sufficiency. Unfortunately, these burdens to bear are seemingly tremendous and ask for more than I myself am capable of. The means to these ends are financial in regards to the passport and living expenses, and social in regards to locating a sponsor. My family members are also refugees in Jordan, and once I am able to get on my feet in Europe I plan on sending money to them so that they may be able to begin their own processes out of Jordan.
I beseech you, should you know of any individuals capable of standing beside me in this effort, or you yourself for that matter, give whatever you can. A dollar, the name of a friend or family member residing in France or Finland, everything counts—everything matters. Should this first step come to fruition, I will not take that trust lightly. It is my hope to continue my education, work in a studio teaching the art of dance to those willing to learn, and competing professionally to better understand my level and where I have yet to improve. It is my dream to own my own studio in which I may give my fellow refugees and others who have lived through hell a means of healing their wounds. I will give my gift to them free of charge—I know too well the price they have already had to pay. In conclusion, I am reminded of the phrase, “I only have my two hands,” but this phrase is worth more than any treasure. It is by my hands that I will build, give, and love my fellow man. I ask of you to fill my hands with purpose, and guide them to where they are needed. Without purpose and guidance, there cannot be hope. For the sake of hope—this is my last chance.





I send you all my love for being here with me as I share my hopes and concerns. I dislike focusing upon the negative, but it is necessary to give you an idea of what these past five years have been for me. Once again, if this cup is too heavy for you to bear yourself, don’t hesitate to pass it to others around you. Your silence is capable of more harm than you imagine, and your voice capable of more good than you will ever know.

Here is my contact information, should you wish to contact me personally:

Skype : sky.alju
FB: sky alju
email : [email redacted]

Thank you.
Help spread the word!