I Can Do Anything

An oral history portraying life in historic Palestine through the compelling life story of an Indigenous farmer from Beit Hanoun, Gaza.

I Can Do Anything presents an intimate and poignant portrayal of life in Palestine through the compelling oral history of Um Baseem Al Kafarneh, an Indigenous farmer from Beit Hanoun, Gaza. Born in the 1930s in historic Palestine, Um Baseem vividly recounts her joyful childhood amid Gaza’s orchards. Her testimony demonstrates the rich social, cultural, and political fabric of Palestinian village life and the profound connection to ancestral land. After the 1948 Nakba destroyed her rural community and displaced its people, she describes the challenges of living in a volatile border region and the difficulties of life under Israeli military occupation. Despite violence and loss, including her sister’s tragic murder, Um Baseem’s resilience shines through. Her unwavering devotion to her land, even in the face of occupation and personal tragedy, underscores the enduring strength and spirit of her people. This is the fourth book in the Women’s Voice from Gaza series.