Basem Hijazi

My name is Basem Hijazi. I had a dream of becoming a writer and an actor. I saw this as something extremely difficult to achieve in Gaza—until "The Hands Up Project" came along. We created a play called "I Can", and we delivered a powerful performance.

Years later, the devastating war came. I asked myself, why not create a new version of the play for "The Hands Up Project"? And so, we did. We brought I Can back in a new form. It spread among many people, and they asked for more. I continued acting and writing poems, always sharing them with "The Hands Up Project".

This helped me connect with many people around the world and also improved my English.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Raise Hands Project for making our dreams a reality. Your support has truly made a difference.

Basem, along with his classmates Mahmoud and Abd from Mae’n Prep Boys School in Gaza, created and performed this play as part of a Hands Up Project initiative, with the support of their inspiring teacher, Imad Wahba.

Back then, Basem didn’t believe in the wars or the borders, or in the noise and destruction that surrounded him. He simply believed in himself. He believed that he could dream, that he could create, that he could be.

Years later, in 2024, in the midst of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, Basem stood again on a makeshift stage and performed that same play. But now, every word, every gesture, carried new weight. It became more than just a story—it became a message.

In a place where dreams are constantly threatened, he dared to keep dreaming. In a time where the world seems to forget Gaza’s children, he reminded us: No matter what happens, we dream. We speak. We resist. We imagine freedom. And we create.

Please find the play’s link attached below: