Atchieving the dream (studying at an art college)

Dissent was building over 40 years in Syria's  dictatorship of both Assad the Father and the Son, and people decided to ask for their stolen dignity and freedom.
Sadly, the uprising was crushed with brutal force by Asad and Islamist militias alike. But the echo of the wedding-like protests and sense of freedom has remained in everyone who lived it, including myself.

I am Bassel Halabi, Palestinian refugee born in Syria. Living at a time of revolution, then a time of war. I lived between ultimate hope and ultimate despair, brightest and darkest sides of humanity. They have been conflicting inside me, since I surrendered to the pressure and left Syria. But at the same time pushed me towards redemption.

This is what brought me to start practicing art, I found my relief here, by going deep inside and speaking out. I felt the inner need to treat the despair left in my soul, and create beauty out of the dark memories of wartime.

After more than four years of working with mediums like  painting, sculpture, moving image, and creative writing . I got accepted by The Royal Academy for Fine Arts in The Hague, Netherlands.
 
However, as I am over 30, I can only apply for tuition fee loan. The basic living costs like for food and rent will not be provided, I will work in the weekends of course as i am doing a full-time programme, but that won't pay my rent.

I am asking you here, to help me persue my dream in art to be able to articulate my experience and journey artistically for the sake of change, spreading hope, and telling the story of those who I shared the experience with but don't have to means to tell theirs.

Thanks for your time and support

Bassel Halabi