Photo by Michelle Alvarado, © RET International

September saw students going back to school, practical courses for women to earn a living, and how a former project continues to benefit a community. Keep reading to learn more about what happened and how you can help us keep the momentum. 👇

🚨 RET Americas is recruiting board members

RET Americas invites expressions of interest from professionals ready to contribute expertise, networks, and strategic guidance to its Board of Directors. Members will serve an initial three-year term, attend quarterly meetings, and take on governance and annual giving or fundraising commitments. 

Expressions of interest (CV and short motivation letter) are welcome worldwide, with a preference for US candidates. Submit your expression of interest by October 16, 2026.

👉 View the Board Member terms of reference and application instructions

📸 This Month’s Cover Photo

Teachers practiced self-regulation exercises at Quito’s “Renovamos Sueños” event, where EstudiANDO shared tools for emotional well-being and inclusive classrooms. See the Ecuador story in this newsletter for more about the project.

This Month at a Glance

1. Ecuador: Supporting teachers to build safer classrooms
2. Lebanon: Mosaic skills offer women new livelihood possibilities
3. D.R. Congo: Local peacebuilding continues beyond project funding
4. Türkiye: Preparing Arabic literacy trainers for Syrian children
5. How YOU can make a difference right now

1️⃣ Ecuador: Supporting teachers to build safer classrooms

More than 17,000 public-school teachers attended “Renovamos Sueños” event in Quito. EstudiANDO contributed activities on emotional awareness, stress management, self-care, and empathetic communication, alongside a Teacher Self-Regulation Guide with a weekly classroom plan. 

These resources help teachers bring practical well-being skills into their daily work. Funded by Education Cannot Wait and led by RET International with consortium partners, EstudiANDO supports safe, inclusive education for children from refugee, migrant, and host communities across five Ecuadorian provinces.

2️⃣ Lebanon: Mosaic skills offer women new livelihood possibilities

Women in Akkar explored mosaic techniques through practical training delivered by RET Germany and local partner GATE Lebanon, with funding from Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). 

The sessions combined hands-on artistic practice with opportunities to build confidence and develop skills that could generate income. They form part of a wider initiative supporting food security, livelihoods, women’s inclusion, and gender equality in North Lebanon.

3️⃣ D.R. Congo: Local peacebuilding continues beyond project funding

More than a year after a BMZ-funded project ended, community structures in North Kivu remain active. Mukohwa’s Village Peace Committee continues without direct RET funding. In Ngwenda, Caritas drew on committee and cooperative members to establish a conflict-resolution team in a neighbouring village.

The agricultural cooperative continues producing harvests, while local partner FDAPID supports the cooperatives. Implemented by RET Germany and local partners from September 2021 to August 2025, the project supported food security and peaceful coexistence in North Kivu and Ituri.

4️⃣ Türkiye: Preparing Arabic literacy trainers for Syrian children

RET International and LEAP organised a three-week training programme in Şanlıurfa for four Arabic literacy trainers, working with Liechtenstein Languages. Trainers practised interactive methods with Syrian children aged 9 to 12, using movement, visuals, and group activities. 

The Arabic component is designed for children who speak the language but need reading and writing support after studying in Turkish. Courses are planned in Kilis, Samsun, Mardin, and Şanlıurfa to support educational continuity, including for children whose families may voluntarily return to Syria.

👉 Explore these stories and more on the RET News portal

5️⃣ How YOU Can Make a Difference Right Now

For U.S. supporters: RET is registered as a 501(c)(3), and your donation may be tax-deductible. 

• General donations: https://theret.org/donate 
• Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs): http://theret.org/donate/dafs/ 
• Employee and corporate matching: http://theret.org/donate/employee-matching/ 

Thank you for being part of our global community! 

Together, we’re saving lives, changing futures, and building hope. 

Until next month,

RET International HQ

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