19. Servas Peace School, Ekinci–Antakya, Türkiye

Children can grow in a peaceful climate. Servas has the values, the people and the capacity to make this possible with locals.

19. Servas Peace School, Ekinci–Antakya, Türkiye

What is Servas Peace School?

Servas Peace School is a community-based, international peace and intercultural education project that began in 2009 in Ekinci village, Antakya, Türkiye. It brings together local children, families and international volunteers through learning, sharing and living together.

It is not a conventional school. Its activities take place in gardens, house yards, streets and other community spaces. “Everywhere is a classroom.” Volunteers share whatever knowledge, skills or passions they have, including languages, music, art, nature, cooking, science, games and peace education.

No buildings, no budget, no fixed curriculum and no professional staff.

Servas Peace School aims to demonstrate that an educational organisation can survive and thrive without relying on money. Strong communities, shared responsibility, local resources and voluntary contributions are what make organisations truly sustainable. Volunteers keep the organisation energetic, creative and constantly evolving.

Volunteers stay with local families, share meals and everyday life, and exchange cultures. At the same time, they offer workshops and activities for children. The exchange is therefore two-way: volunteers teach, but they also learn from the community.

Servas Peace School welcomes both Servas and non-Servas international and local people as volunteers and participants.

Children grow with the Peace School, and the Peace School grows through them.

They begin as participants, become local volunteers, and eventually carry the idea forward by helping to create new Peace Schools around the world.

Participants of Servas Peace School are talking…

Defne, 17, Volunteer

Non-Servas member, İzmir, Türkiye

“Servas Peace School is unique for everyone who takes part in it. They experience different cultures and learn about sharing and understanding values. The children are so lucky to have the chance to play and learn in such a peaceful environment and share with each other.

The local community also learns, no matter how old they are. If you spend even one second at Servas Peace School, you definitely learn something new, and it could be about anything.

Every person has some prejudices. Servas Peace School is one of the best places to break them down.”

Ashley – Ireland, Non-Servas Volunteer

Recep – Local Volunteer, Servas Member

Esra – Local Volunteer, Servas Member

“One of the biggest gains of Servas Peace School is that children have become comfortable with Ziri, the Peace School campus, a place that is normally seen as dangerous and remote. This year, both children and parents spent a lot of time on the campus and ‘normalised’ being there in nature.

Parents participated actively, and involving them in games and activities helped them feel included. The active participation of volunteers with teaching backgrounds was also very effective.

Children improved their analytical thinking skills. They learned to discuss real-life issues such as wars, immigration and ecological crises. They became more inclusive, sharing and caring. They welcomed newly arriving children, appreciated diversity and helped each other. They also became more familiar with how to form a group and follow group rules.

Another important gain is that parents have shown their full trust in Servas Peace School, as they do every year. They respect and appreciate it. They do not get angry when their children step in cow shit :) or go far into nature.

Another important achievement is that children who previously participated in the Peace School have now become volunteers themselves and started offering workshops to younger children—just as they do every year.”

Filiz, Non-Servas Volunteer

İstanbul, Türkiye

“It was especially valuable for me because it helped me get to know Hatay’s culture. I learned a lot through my conversations with local people. My general knowledge about language, religion, food and drink, traditions and customs increased.

The children were introduced to the creative drama method. Although they were unfamiliar with the method at first, their interest never decreased.”

Dilek, Non-Servas Volunteer

İstanbul, Türkiye

“The hospitality was incredible and unforgettable for me and my daughter. Everyone in the village welcomed us with warm smiles and hugs, and this made it easier to feel part of the organisation.

Meeting new people, especially children :), building meaningful friendships and connecting with people from different cultures were some of the most important gains of my experience at Servas Peace School.”

Matilde, Servas Member

Italy

“Reading my stories to the children, listening to their feedback, and being welcomed so warmly by the host family were unforgettable moments.

I received so much love and joy, which I think I gave back to everyone, especially the children. The local community is very involved and enthusiastic about the Peace School and about the presence of international volunteers.”

Hena, 16, Local Volunteer

Grew up at Servas Peace School

“The Peace School showed us, both young and old, how to have fun, that different cultures and ways of life exist, and that learning can be an enjoyable experience.

My suggestion for the development of the Peace School is that, just as it has started to be established in other countries, it could also be established in other cities in Türkiye. Members from all over the world could be contacted and invited to contribute to the Peace School.”

Sevcan, Host Family

“Knowing new people is a very beautiful thing. We help each other. I don’t know a foreign language, but somehow I understand. It sounds lovely.”

What did the children say about their experience?

“Servas reminds me of peace and friendship. As soon as I came here, I overcame my fear and shyness.”

“Servas Peace School means freedom and nature.”

“I gained a lot of self-confidence at the Peace School. Servas means love, respect, friendship and fun to me.”

Looking to the Future

We have received many valuable suggestions and ideas from volunteers, children and parents. We will discuss these ideas with the whole Peace School team and work together to put them into practice in the coming years at Servas Peace Schools.

With the support of Servas friends around the world, we are working together to establish new Servas Peace Schools in communities across different countries.

Mehmet Ateş (Servas Türkiye)
Servas Peace School Coordinator

August 2026
Ekinci, Antakya, Türkiye