Understanding our responsibility and considering it our duty, we at Qadims Lumiere School and College rose to the occasion. We could not change the whole world but tried to answer some of their questions by creating a safe haven at a time when Pakistan was gripped by violent extremism and terrorists’ attacks. Our province Khyber Pukhtunkhwa was rocked by bomb blasts, military operations and ambulance sirens on daily basis. From 2009 – 2018, every dawn brought new episodes of violence, cruelty and brutality. The extremists spared none; children, men, women, market places, religious institutions, hospitals – all were a target, bringing war to our doorsteps, with children in the frontline. A terrorist attack on a school, killing 250 students and teachers was too painful and nerve shattering. The incident shook the whole country to its core especially children for whom it was impossible to understand and accept such barbarity. Both parents and teachers were unable to grapple with the trauma themselves or help the children wade through the pain. We all felt as helpless as the children.

PAIMAN, the biggest organization in Pakistan on Conflict Transformation came to our aid and planted the seeds of Peace Education in our school. Under their flagship programme of Inclusive Peace Education, twentyfive teachers from our school and ten from a madrassa (religious school) were trained in peace education. The five days extensive training was an eye opener which convinced us that if children are given the skills to analyze situations objectively, approach problems creatively and resolve conflicts peacefully, then nothing can stop them from paving the way to a promising peaceful future.