In Aleppo, Syria, where war has shattered neighborhoods and lives, AVSI offers more than schooling. Children rediscover that they are valuable, capable, and not forgotten—because education shapes the whole person. Even play, laughter, and fun are necessary for healing and happiness, as this boy expresses so well.

In a community center in Quito, Ecuador, Ceferino—a long-overlooked elder—converses with an AVSI team member who sees him as someone with a lot to offer. Encouraged to participate in health brigades and leadership workshops, Ceferino is rediscovering his strength and role within a vibrant community of both Ecuadorians and Venezuelan refugees.

In Uganda’s Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement, a babywearing mom receives coaching from another woman—both survivors of conflict, now charting a new path forward. Their shared experience becomes a bridge: from loss to leadership. Through programs like graduation, thousands of women and men, reflect, learn, and become protagonists—bringing their families and their communities with them. AVSI learns too and continuously adapts its programs based on feedback and results.

In Mexico, the whole family gets involved in reading through an award-winning program by our partner Crecemos which sets up libraries in rural towns. Here, families gather—turning pages, sharing stories, and laughing in the warm glow of discovery. Children find new words and confidence, while parents bring stories to life with puppets and playful voices, weaving joy through homes and neighborhoods.