Education for Peace
There is hope in the Middle East: At the Schneller Schools in Lebanon and Jordan, Muslim and Christian children get a good school education followed by a vocational training. Living together in peace and tolerance are of great importance.
Education for peace in the Middle East is an idea which Johann Ludwig Schneller already implemented when he founded the Syrian Orphanage in 1860. He brought in orphans from different religious backgrounds, offered them a good school education followed by a vocational training in order to enable them to live a self-sufficient life. The Johann Ludwig Schneller School (JLSS) in Lebanon and the Theodor Schneller Schule (TSS) in Jordan continue this important work. The Evangelical Association for the Schneller Schools (EVS) supports and accompanies both schools. As a support group, the EVS raises donations from private individuals, congregations and other church groups.
Both schools are under the oversight of local bodies. The National Evangelical Church of Beirut is responsible for the JLSS. The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East oversees the TSS.
The EVS is one of the founding members of the Evangelical Mission in Solidarity (EMS) and understands its work as part of the worldwide ecumenical relations in the EMS Fellowship. It works on a partnership basis with the churches sponsoring the Schneller Schools which are both EMS member churches.
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The Johann Ludwig Schneller School is located in the heart of the fertile Bekaa Valley. Christian and Muslim children learn and live together at JLSS. Orphans and children from disadvantaged families find a home.
The Theodor Schneller School is located on the outskirts of Amman. The children who live at the school mostly come from troubled families. Many are traumatized. TSS wants to help them to realize their own dignity.
Schneller Foundation - Education for Peace
The Schneller-Foundation – Education for Peace was established in 2007 by the EVS. It represents an additional pillar for financing important projects at the Schneller Schools. Unlike donations, endowments are not used immediately but rather are added into the foundation’s capital. The foundation uses the income earned from its capital to support the two schools. A contribution to the foundation, therefore, has a lasting impact that endures for many years.
At the time of its founding, the foundation’s capital amounted to €1,080,000. Thanks to numerous endowments, it has since grown to approximately €2.6 million.
Until this day the foundation was able to disburse over €400,000 to both schools. These funds have funded important infrastructure projects and the replacement of outdated equipment in classrooms and boarding facilities.
With its annual disbursements, the Schneller Foundation—Education to Peace supports special projects at the two Schneller Schools that could not otherwise be financed by the regular activities of the EVS alone.
These projects typically benefit students at the schools directly. Here are some recent examples of projects funded by the foundation:
2024: Furnishing of Boarding Rooms (TSS)
In 2024 the TSS received €20,000 from the Schneller Foundation to equip the renovated boarding house with new furniture, curtains and mirrors—a special wish from the children, whose fulfillment brought them great joy.
2023: Equipping the new teaching kitchen (TSS)
In 2023 the TSS received €15,000 from the foundation to establish a second teaching kitchen in the boarding facility. This addition strengthens the successful vocational training in hospitality and complies with requirements set by the Jordanian…
2022: Renovation of the Gymnasium (JLSS)
In 2022, the JLSS received €15,000 from the Schneller Foundation to renovate and equip the gymnasium, which had previously been used as emergency accommodation. It is now once again available for its original purpose.
For any questions regarding the Schneller Foundation, please contact:
Rev. Dr. Uwe Gräbe
Executive Secretary EVS
Tel.: +49 711 636 78 -37
E-Mail: graebe@ems-online.org
We appreciate every new endowment contributor.
Bank account of the Schneller Foundation:
Evangelische Bank
IBAN: DE09 5206 0410 0000 4074 37
BIC: GENODEF1EK1
Schneller Magazine
The Schneller Magazine reports four times a year about the two Schneller Schools in Lebanon and Jordan. Feature articles, news items, analyses and interviews take up topical issues from the Arab world, linking them with the life of the students at the two schools. The Schneller Magazine places special emphasis on the situation of Christians in the Middle East. The Schneller Magazine is produced in cooperation with the headmasters of the two schools.
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Schneller Magazine 02/2023
Schneller Magazine 01/2023
Schneller Magazine 04/2022
Schneller Magazine 03/2022
Schneller Magazine 02/2022
Schneller Magazine 01/2022
Schneller Magazine 04/2021
Schneller Magazine 03/2021
Issue 2/2021
Issue 1/2021
Issue 04/2020
Issue 03/2020
Issue 02/2020
Issue 01/2020
Issue 04/2019
Issue 03/2019
Issue 02/2019
Issue 01/2019
Issue 04/2018
Issue 03/2018
Issue 02/2018
Issue 01/2018
Give the Gift of Future - Get Involved
With your donation you help us to offer children from poor and troubled families a good school education followed by a vocational training. This way, these children get the chance to live a self-sufficient life and to contribute to a peaceful future in the Middle East.
Financial sustainability for the Schneller Schools is the goal of the Schneller Foundation. With interest revenue the foundation finances for example necessary investments or trainings for educators.
A donation to the foundation is also a good to achieve something that goes beyond you or to honour the life's work of a loved one. To name the foundation in your bequest is also possible.
Becoming a member is another great way to support the Schneller Schools. You receive information and news about the schools on a regular basis. And you are invited to the annual meeting of members. With your complimentary subscribtion of the Schneller Magazine you are always up to date on the developments of the schools and the situation of Christians in the Middle East.
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