More than survivors — they are dreamers.

​I am Samir Salama, an English teacher, instructor, and tutor from Gaza, Palestine. Dedicated to empowering students through interactive language learning, I have been a proud volunteer with the HandsUpProject since 2015, using storytelling and drama to connect Palestinian youth with global audiences.

When you sit in a circle with a group of young boys and girls in Gaza today, you quickly realize that stories aren't just an activity—they are a lifeline. They are living proof that these children are so much more than survivors: they are dreamers.

Every child in this circle is a sole survivor. Let those words sink in for a moment. Over three long, devastating years of war, these children have suffered losses that no human being, let alone a child, should ever have to bear. They have lost their homes, their neighborhoods, their loved ones, and the quiet comfort of a peaceful night’s sleep. They have lost almost everything.

And alongside that loss is the loss of their right to learn. With educational facilities across Gaza almost entirely destroyed or rendered unusable, an entire generation is facing a crushing void. School isn't just about textbooks and exams; it’s where children learn to navigate the world, build friendships, and dream about who they want to become. Without proper learning spaces, these children desperately need real, meaningful education—one that nurtures them not just intellectually, but mentally and spiritually, giving them a foundation to heal and grow.

This is where our story sessions step in.

When we gather, we open up a space where the weight of the outside world can, even for an hour or two, be set aside. Through Stories Alive, we use storytelling to help these young dreamers create new, happy memories to stand alongside the painful ones. For children who have lived through unimaginable trauma, finding a safe place to speak without fear is everything. In our circle, every thought matters, every voice is heard, and no fear is allowed to silence them.

The transformation during these sessions is nothing short of miraculous. Together, we practice English—speaking, listening, reading, and writing—building skills that connect them to a wider world. But it goes far beyond language lessons. They pick up colored pencils and draw. They step into characters and act out scenes with boundless imagination. They laugh out loud, they smile, and for a moment, the heavy shadows lift.

They aren't just learning English or playing games; they are actively piecing their lives back together. They are creating a new life, grounded in hope, expression, and joy.

Education is a fundamental human right, and for Gaza’s children, it is the key to rebuilding their inner worlds. Through every story read, every picture drawn, and every line acted out, these brave young boys and girls remind us of the enduring power of the human spirit. They are living proof that even in the deepest darkness, a simple story can bring back the light.