At These Gaza Schools, ‘Peace Building’ Is Part of the Curriculum

A network of private schools founded by a North Carolina neurosurgeon is providing education to 9,000 war orphans and other disadvantaged Palestinian children in Gaza, aiming to build peace through educational programs despite the ongoing regional conflicts. The fast-growing educational network represents a unique humanitarian initiative that combines academic instruction with peace-building curriculum specifically designed for children affected by the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The founder, a neurosurgeon from North Carolina, has developed an innovative approach to education that addresses both the academic and emotional needs of students who have experienced trauma due to war and displacement. By focusing on the most vulnerable children in Gaza, these schools not only provide essential educational opportunities but also work to break cycles of violence and hatred through specially designed peace-building exercises and values education.