Sanda ALDASS

Originally from the city of Damascus in Syria, Sanda and her family lost their home and she decided to flee alone to the Netherlands through Turkey. Her husband and son joined her later. Sanda’s two other children were born in the Netherlands. She was invited by the International Judo Federation to join their support programme for refugee athletes.

It has not always been easy for her to balance motherhood and training, but she feels happy and lucky to be able to live in a safe environment with her family and be able to train.

It has been challenging for Sanda and her family to share with her host country community “who they are and what they do”, but practising sport and being supported in such programmes has helped in making a fresh start and re-building her self-confidence.