HOME and Healing for Gaza’s Children
In Gaza: A Childhood in Crisis
In Gaza, over one million children live amidst crisis. Thousands of children suffer from amputations, burns, brain injuries, and lack of access to adequate healthcare.
Malnutrition also poses a great risk, with more than 300,000 children needing micronutrient supplements and treatment for acute malnutrition. With poverty on the rise and education interrupted, children need a safe environment to heal and thrive.
The Children's Village: A Lifeline for Gaza's Children
The Academy of Hope was founded by Dr. David Hasan, a neurosurgeon at Duke University who was deeply moved by the suffering of children in Gaza. After witnessing their stories of hunger, trauma, and interrupted education, he created The Gaza Children’s Village as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the United States. His vision was clear: to build a sanctuary where children could not only survive but truly heal, learn, and thrive.
What began as a dream has now taken root in Deir Al Balah. The Academy of Hope provides education, healthcare, nutrition, and trauma-informed counseling for children who have lost parents, been displaced, or require specialized medical care. Today, more than 600 children are already receiving daily meals, attending school, and accessing the first pediatric clinic for orphans in Gaza.
Our Growth Plan
Through three development phases, the Academy of Hope will expand to care for over 20,000 children across Gaza:
Phase One: Foundation
The Deir Al Balah campus is already serving 1,000 children with safe housing, daily meals, education, and medical and psychosocial support.
Phase Two: Expansion
The Khan Younis campus, opening in October 2025, will extend this care to 5,000 more children. Alongside classrooms and housing, vocational training and leadership programs will prepare young people for brighter futures.
Phase Three: Completion
Together, both campuses will reach full capacity, serving over 20,000 children. With a sustainable model, the Academies will provide housing, education through grade 9, pediatric and rehabilitation care including 3D-printed prosthetics, and safe spaces for healing and growth.
Our Approach
The Academy of Hope is rooted in the local community and operated by teachers, psychologists, health workers, and social workers from Gaza, supported by a network of global experts. Partners such as World Central Kitchen, SmartAID, International Medical Corps, and IsraAID provide food security, clean water, medical care, and sustainable energy.
Every meal served, every lesson taught, and every child treated brings us closer to a generation that can rebuild their communities in peace and strength.
