Children of Gaza

Ayman is a soft-spoken 14-year-old who lives in Jabalia City, Gaza. He wants to be an engineer someday so he can help rebuild his country. He works hard in school, but the challenges of growing up as a youngster in Gaza are daunting to say the least. Some 840,000 children live in Gaza's crowded neighborhoods. As the region continues its downward spiral of violence, isolation, and poverty, their future looks more bleak every day.

Ayman's family is poor, just like everyone in Gaza. His parents have sold almost everything they have to support their children. But they struggle on because, as Ayman's father says, "My children are my hope."

As Israel approaches the 60th anniversary of its independence (May 14) there is little to celebrate in this troubled region. The world community has largely ignored the plight of the Palestinians for over half a century. Justice is a rare commodity in the occupied territories, which might explain why peace is such a distant hope.

Read more about the children of Gaza...