Humza Hasan
When I was 12 years old, I attended my first tutoring session through the Hikmah Foundation. Having watched the organization grow over time through the work my sister had been doing, I was excited for the opportunity to contribute. My most meaningful experience was when I met Hafez, a young boy who had just come to our community as a refugee from Syria. He was deaf and didn’t know sign language, so communication was extremely hard for him.
Even though I was nervous that I didn’t have the proper skills to aid Hafez in his integration journey to the United States, I wanted to try. I started learning American Sign Language (ASL) so I could teach him, and little by little, we began to understand each other. We worked on simple signs at first—letters, words, and everyday things. Over time, he became more confident, and it felt amazing to see him smile when he could express himself.
That experience taught me so much about patience, what it means to truly listen, and how powerful kindness and connection can be. It also made me even more passionate about helping others, especially kids who are going through tough situations. Being part of The Hikmah Foundation and working with someone so brave and strong inspired me more than words can explain. It’s something I’ll always carry with me, and it’s a big part of why I care so much about providing educational opportunities to all those in need.