# Borromean Sisters sow peace in Jerusalem

> Sisters of Mercy in Jerusalem run kindergarten for Muslim and Christian children since 1989.
- Title: Borromean Sisters sow peace in Jerusalem · Vaticannews
- Summary: Sisters of Mercy in Jerusalem run kindergarten for Muslim and Christian children since 1989. Sisters of Mercy of St. Charles Borromeo run kindergarten in…
- Keywords: sisters of mercy, st charles borromeo, jerusalem, kindergarten, muslim children, christian children, peace, holy land, religion, world, Borromean, Sisters
- Source: Vaticannews — https://vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2026-10/sisters-project-jerusalem-holy-land-peace-st-charles-borromeo.html
- Author: Vatican News
- Published: 2026-10-05T10:34:29.4+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sisters of mercy, st charles borromeo, jerusalem, kindergarten, muslim children, christian children, peace, holy land, religion, world
## Sisters of Mercy in Jerusalem
Since 1989, the Sisters of Mercy of St. Charles Borromeo in Jerusalem have run a kindergarten where children from Muslim and Christian families learn and play together.
## Children from East Jerusalem
For nearly forty years, the sisters have cared for 140 Palestinian children aged 3 to 6, mostly from East Jerusalem and the Old City who practice Islam.
## Mixed religious children
Roughly one-fifth of the children are Christians of various denominations, learning cultural traditions through interreligious dialogue.
## War impacts kindergarten
The Middle East conflict in 2023 disrupted the kindergarten, forcing sisters to provide safe spaces for children to heal and rebuild hope.
## Sisters' response to war
Sisters reopened kindergarten two weeks after armed conflict began, facing fear but seeing positive parent reactions and children returning quickly.
## Children's perspective
A little boy said, 'I am so happy to go to kindergarten again! You know, we have a war at home!'

> I am so happy to go to kindergarten again! You know, we have a war at home!
## Key takeaway

Sisters of Mercy of St. Charles Borromeo run kindergarten in Jerusalem for children from Muslim and Christian families since 1989.