Photo by RET Niger

It’s the first of November (can you believe it?), and with it the latest edition of Catch Up with RET, bringing you the latest news from our work across the world. From celebrating 25 years of humanitarian work to the launch of our #16Days campaign, big things are underway at RET.   

This newsletter is 871 words or about 4 minutes to read.  

In this edition: 

1. We’re turning 25 next month! 🎂  
2. Announcing our #16Days campaign  
3. Are you following RET Germany?  
4. Promoting dignity, peace, and inclusion across Niger [Featured photo] 
5. YOU can make a difference! 

To receive this newsletter to your inbox, click here to join our mailing list.

1. We’re turning 25 next month! 🎂

Since 2000, we’ve been dedicated to realizing our founder Mrs. Sadako Ogata’s mission that “Education should be a promise, not a dream.” In the years since, we’ve worked in 35 countries, providing education and protection to displaced and vulnerable people and impacting the lives of over 25 million.  

In December, we’ll mark a quarter-century of this important work, which remains more relevant than ever:  

• As of 2025, there are an estimated 122 million forcibly displaced people worldwide.  
• The number of displaced people has nearly doubled over the last decade.  
• And this number doesn’t include the many communities impacted, who also need support to adapt.  

📌 Why it matters: Education provides crucial protection, a sense of normalcy, and a path to self-sufficiency. Taken together, these steps represent our commitment to promoting Resilience, Empowerment, and Transformation.  

🔎 Dive deeper: Read more about our founder and how she transformed humanitarian aid and education. 

2. Coming Soon 🧡 #16Days of Activism

We’re gearing up for the global campaign against gender-based violence with 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (or #16Days). The campaign, initiated in 1991, serves to raise awareness and mobilize action by governments, organizations, and individuals to promote gender equality and safety.  

📌 Why it matters: #16Days serves as a global, annual campaign to raise awareness that gender-based violence is a human rights violation. It also seeks to galvanize action to end it and hold perpetrators and systems accountable. The period connects the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25) to Human Rights Day (December 10), highlighting the fundamental link between gender equality and human rights.  

⏩ What’s ahead: We’ll be featuring posts and stories from our teams around the world, highlighting:  

• Stories from the communities we serve  
• Local partners leading change  
• Practical ways you can help keep women and girls safe  

Join us: Follow us across social media, then share the stories that resonate with you, and help amplify voices that must be heard.  

3. 🌍 Are you following RET Germany?

Speaking of following us online… Did you know? RET Germany, an independent German NGO that is part of the global RET Alliance, has just launched new Instagram and LinkedIn accounts to better spotlight RET’s work across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. 

And don’t forget to follow existing accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook! 

📌 Why it matters: RET Germany is growing, and as part of its expansion, these new channels will:  

• Provide more visibility to the communities we’re working in  
• Highlight the challenges they face, and we’re addressing them together, and 
• Add another point of contact for our program participants, donors, and supporters  

🔎 Dive deeper: Here’s a closer look at RET Germany’s work over the years.  

• 12 countries  
• 46 projects  
• 340K+ program participants

👉 Learn more by clicking here. 

4. Protecting dignity, and promoting inclusion and peace across Niger 🇳🇪  [Featured photo] 

From Ayorou to Agadez and Abala, we’re taking action so children and families across Niger and the Sahel can feel safe, supported, and included. 

📍 What’s happening on the ground:  

• 📸 In this month’s featured photo, we distributed dignity kits to girls and women in Garin Kaka, Chadakori and Dan Dadji Makaou; these kits promote menstrual hygiene, reduce girls’ dropout rate, and help reduce gender-based violence. Read more here. 

• Displaced children in Ayorou are reconnecting with joy through creative play that builds confidence and social bonds.  

• A young man with a disability in Agadez gained mobility – and the chance to earn a living – with a tricycle supporting his new shoemaking business.  

• In Abala, RET helped strengthen local peacebuilding through community dialogue and awareness sessions on social cohesion.  

📌 Why it matters: When people feel protected, they can heal, learn, and take part in their community again.  

➡️ Big picture: Protection is not just a response – it’s a pathway to dignity, resilience, and hope for the future.   

5. 🎁 How YOU Can Make a Difference

Trying to think of the perfect birthday gift for RET? Well, you can support our work by making a gift today.   

• Donations help us build schools for children, run vocational training programs for women, and empower communities worldwide.  
• There’s many ways to help: You can name us a recipient through a Donor-Advised Fund or double – or even triple – your donation through corporate matching programs. 
• 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

Help spread the word! If you’ve found our newsletter through a link, subscribe today to receive news even sooner.

---