Having managed to safely escape Syria, it was not long before Ayham and his family received the news from United Nations that they had successfully been accepted into the UK. Ayham was in “disbelief” and shared how it was “like a dream”. On 28th April 2014, Ayham, his mother, and two younger brothers arrived in the UK, but Ayham still had the heavy worry of his unwell brother on his shoulders. Ayham’s devotion to his family and brother had previously taken priority over his education and his own future.  

Unfortunately, due to having no record of  Ayham’s  Syrian qualifications and his English very poor, Bradford College could only offer Ayham a course at GCSE level. Realising it would most likely be another four years before he could achieve his dream of studying medicine, Ayham began to question himself. Was he doing the right thing? Was this the end of his journey? Was it time to give up on his dream? In 2015, Ayham started his GCSE courses offered to him by Bradford College, but did not pass all his subjects and therefore was not offered a position of A-Level. Ayham’s resilience was being tested – he re-sat his GCSE’s. This time around he took his exam at a school located outside of Leeds Bradford – that school was Ackworth School. ​ 

During his English exam, Ayham gave a presentation of his experiences in Syria and shared the story of his family’s journey. Taken back by this, Ackworth School offered Ayham a 100% bursary for him to continue his studies, along with additional support for him to be successful. A bright future began to emerge for Ayham.  While he was torn on whether or not to leave his family, he had the full support of his family who recognised that this was an opportunity too good to turn down. Having been a little older than the regular students, Ayham found that football was a perfect way to engage and integrate. His fears of loneliness and not being accepted were wiped away as the teachers and students of Ackworth embraced him.  

Ayham is currently in his third year of studying Pharmacy at Bradford University. Given the help he received, he is paying it forward by providing private tutoring for members of his local community and refugees who have faced similar obstacles. He also hopes his younger brother, now doing very well, will follow in his footsteps and study medicine.  ​ 

“Motivation is very important, without it there is no life. Keep believing in yourself and remember,

if you CAN you WILL!” 

Ayham’s story is just one of so many similar refugee stories, though most do not have such a happy ending. It highlights the effects that the gift of giving can have on one individual and in turn their family and community. There were many opportunities for Ayham to give up on himself, and to stop believing – but he didn’t. Here at Ackworth, we recognise the human spirit that Ayham demonstrates, and have done so since John Fothergill opened the school for poor Quaker children. When considering whether to contribute I would ask you to think of our school values and utter the words – Non Sibi Sed Omnibus, “not for oneself, but for all”.