reGeneration Education is excited to announce its newest partner in the Middle East! Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s Beloved Community and commitment to nonviolence, House of Hope is an Arabic-language, trauma-informed elementary school in the West Bank village of Al Eizariya. It is also the only emerging Waldorf school in the West Bank.
Founded in 2008 by Palestinian Christian community leaders Milad and Manar Vosgueritchian, House of Hope strives to inspire the next generation of peace and change-makers in the West Bank.
“House of Hope is the only school in the West Bank whose founding principles are based in nonviolence,” said Milad Vosgueritchian, Cofounder and Chairman of House of Hope. “We are a healing organization that blends different approaches to holistic education: dance therapy, environmental therapy, music and art therapy, Waldorf education, and NonViolent Communication (NVC). We are honored to partner with reGeneration Education to strengthen its collective work to bring transformational healing.”
The First Waldorf School for Palestinians in the West Bank
As the only emerging Waldorf school in the West Bank, House of Hope teachers are some of the very first Palestinians to receive Waldorf teacher training in the region. With over a ten-year track record of service in its community, House of Hope is well poised to successfully introduce new ways for Palestinian educators to address toxic stress.
Thanks to House of Hope’s integrated approach to trauma-informed education, students learn a multitude of skills for coping with trauma, such as art and music expression, therapeutic body movement and other self-esteem affirming activities.
“reGeneration is committed to advancing peacebuilding through the education young children in crisis zones so they are able to imagine and create a better future,” said Shepha Schneirsohn Vainstein, MA LMFT, President of reGeneration Education. “We are delighted to welcome House of Hope school as our newest partner organization and support their community-led work for healing through education. Together, we will protect the magic of childhood for kids growing up under toxic stress.”
Planting Seeds of Change for Peace
House of Hope teaches students to believe in their own inherent self-worth and embrace an unwavering commitment to nonviolence. Every morning, House of Hope students start their day by reaffirming these guiding principles with their morning student pledge.
The impact of House of Hope’s life-giving work is documented by teachers who report students’ individual achievement in behavioral and academic areas. Many children start their time at House of Hope quiet and withdrawn, and with time, engage with their classmates and teachers and achieve academic goals.
In January, House of Hope was named a member of the Spirit of Childhood Alliance, a global coalition of education leaders united to decrease the damaging effects of toxic stress on children living in crisis zones. For more information about House of Hope, check out its reGeneration partner page or donate now to make an immediate impact!
