Photo by RET Peru

October is here, and that means it’s time for the latest edition of Catch Up with RET, bringing you the latest news from our work across the world. How is education changing lives? Read more to find out. This edition is 665 words or about 3 minutes to read.  

In this edition: 

1. RET & ECW: Keeping Hope Alive
2.  Breaking Barriers in Peru [Featured photo] 
3. CIGABA‘s Commitment to Peace
4. How Language Opens Doors for Alisa in Türkiye
5. How YOU Can Make a Difference

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1. 🌍 RET & ECW: Keeping Hope Alive

🤝 What is ECW? Education Cannot Wait (ECW) is the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises in the United Nations. We work with ECW through multi-year projects in Burundi, Ecuador, and Peru.  

📌 Why it matters: Despite shrinking aid, ECW’s new annual report shows real impact:  

• 8.3M crisis-affected children and youth reached in 33 countries in just 2 years.  

• RET and ECW help ensure futures are built on the power of education.  

Together, we’re delivering results that #KeepHopeAlive for children whose futures depend on learning.  

👉 Learn more by clicking here.  

2. 🇵🇪 Breaking Barriers in Peru [Featured photo] 

Our Aprender Sin Barreras (Learning Without Barriers) program in Peru launched in 2024 with funding from ECW.   

What is it? The project seeks to improve access, retention and completion of education in a safe and inclusive learning environment for children and adolescents in Peru, including children with disabilities and those from vulnerable groups.  

• The program seeks to reach 50,000 children across the country.  

• Diverticlases is now underway (see cover photo), enabling more than 5,000 children and adolescents to strengthen their learning in an inclusive, safe, and fun way. 

• The learning sessions, aligned with the Peruvian Ministry of Education’s learning recovery strategy, are held in schools in Lima and Trujillo, targeted areas of the project. 

📌 Why it matters: Barriers like unclear enrollment processes, financial constraints, frequent mobility, and discrimination and poor enforcement of national policies at school level keep vulnerable children out of school and contribute to high dropout rates.   

👉 Click here to learn more about Aprender Sin Barreras and our work in Peru.

3. 🇳🇪 CIGABA’s Commitment to Peace  

📍 Guidan Roumdji, Niger — RET Germany and partners convened a major forum on social cohesion and peaceful coexistence under the banner of CIGABA (Carry On, in Houssa), our cross-border project that seeks to improve livelihoods and promote stability.  

📌 Why it matters: The event tackled persistent security and social tensions while strengthening community-led solutions. CIGABA has also included conflict prevention training, life skills development, and the establishment of community mediation committees.  

Highlights:

• 300+ participants: Local officials, security forces, community leaders, women’s groups, and youth.  

• Focused on land disputes, resource management, and vigilance against threats.  

• Prefect, security chiefs, and religious leaders all called for forgiveness, respect, and daily solidarity.  

Durable peace can only come when every voice at the table — from women’s associations to village leaders — has a role in shaping a secure future together.  

👉 Read the full story by clicking here.  

4. 🇹🇷 How Language Opens Doors for Alisa in Türkiye  

👩‍💼 Meet Alisa, 54, an entrepreneur from China who had lived in Türkiye for years but struggled with Turkish. 

Breakthrough: She joined RET International’s language program in Şanlıurfa. Practical sessions and cross-cultural conversations with classmates from Iraq, Iran, and Syria helped her finally gain confidence.  

💬 In her own words: “I’m having fun, learning, and making new friends.”  

Alisa’s journey shows it’s never too late to learn, connect, and find a true sense of belonging.  

👉 Read the full story by clicking here.  

5. 🎁 How YOU Can Make a Difference

Have you been inspired by these stories?  You can support our work by making a gift to RET today.  

• We earned a 2025 Candid Gold Seal of Transparency: Learn more by visiting our profile.  

💡 Did you know? For our U.S. supporters, we’re registered as 501(c)(3), and your donation may be tax-deductible.  

Until next month,

RET International HQ

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