The little girl who stood up to the Taliban now seeks to rebuild schools in Gaza

The teenage Pakistani girl who refused to give up her vocal support of female education despite attempts on her life and death threats from the Taliban and Islamic extremists is showing her dedication to western educational systems by donating $50,000 towards rebuilding schools in Gaza that were damaged during the recent war with Israel.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Malala Yousafzai, the 17-year-old winner of the Nobel Peace Prize is going to donate her reward to the United Nations. She made the announcement while in Stockholm, where she was receiving another reward.

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"Innocent Palestinian children have suffered terribly and for too long," she said. "We must all work to ensure Palestinian boys and girls, and all children everywhere, receive a quality education in a safe environment. Because without education, there will never be peace."

Two years ago Malala was shot in the head by Taliban militants. She was singled out for her pro education activism, something she continues to advocate.

The schools that will be rebuilt were damaged during the seven-week war between Israel and Palestinian extremists.

"The needs are overwhelming, more than half of Gaza's population is under 18 years of age," she said in a statement that was released by the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). "They want and deserve quality education, hope and real opportunities to build a future."

The U.N. reported that her donation would allow the reconstruction of 65 schools that were damaged during the fighting.

The UNRWA chief, Pierre Krahenbuhl said her donation will help a quarter of a million children who are at UNRWA schools.

He also said that Malala is "a symbol of the boundless potential that lies within each and every child on Earth."

"UNRWA shares with you the profound belief in the importance of education as a means to lift young girls and boys out of isolation, exclusion or oppression."

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