Dear GCE-US Supporter, I’m writing from Bogotá, Colombia as I travel with one of our members, American Jesuits International, to visit programs they’re supporting in some of the most under-served areas of this metropolitan city. These experiences are always so invaluable as we get to see first-hand both the challenges that children and families face as they work to improve their circumstances but also the positive impact of programs that help them achieve their goals. Here’s a brief blog I wrote about my visit. As we near the end of 2024, I want to also extend my sincere thanks to everyone across the GCE-US community who has contributed to our mission over the past year. If you’re an individual or organizational member, a donor, an advocate, or are here to learn more, we appreciate you and your support. Thank you! Giulia McPherson, Executive Director | |
READ Reauthorization Update: Thank you to everyone who participated in last month’s READ Reauthorization Week of Action! We had productive meetings with House leadership, got significant traction on social media (including a post from bill cosponsor Rep. Grace Meng), and generated many calls and emails into congressional offices. GCE-US and our partners continue to push for passage of the READ Reauthorization Act this Congress and hope you can join us! We are pursuing multiple paths forward including passage of the stand-alone bill as well as including the bill text in legislation that must pass before Congress adjourns. We are looking for supporters with connections to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), and bill co-sponsor Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ). If you are from Louisiana or New Jersey, please contact Suzanne at sberman@gce-us.org. Appropriations Update: The current Continuing Resolution that is funding the US Government expires on December 20. Congress must pass some kind of budget before this date to avoid a shutdown. We expect that there will be another Continuing Resolution that will fund the budget until February or March of 2025. We are monitoring the situation and engaging when we can to support robust funding for the international basic education account. | |
World Learning’s approach to education is based on a holistic and multi-layered strategy. They work directly with national governments, institutions, schools, parents, and children. Its programs strengthen curricula, advocate and educate about the need for social emotional learning, train teachers on best practices, and foster inclusive learning environments. In Lebanon, World Learning has enhanced the capacity of the public education sector since 2013 by working directly with the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education, primary schools, administrators, and teachers. As a result, World Learning has: - Trained 16,829 teachers across 1,200+ public schools.
- Distributed 1,000,000+ books, leading to improved learning for 330,000+ children.
- Helped 9,000+ students from disadvantaged communities reintegrate back into formal education.
- Distributed 200,000 boxes of educational supplies to students during emergency school closings to maintain learning.
- Distributed 100,000+ food parcels to students’ families to alleviate the impact of the economic crisis.
Since 2016, World Learning has also helped develop and advocate for a National Framework for Social and Emotional Competencies in Lebanon and drafted policies for integrating social and emotional learning into the national curriculum. Learn more here! | |
This Holiday Season, Give to GCE-US | |
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New from the GCE-US Action Blog | |
