The Power Of The Human Spirit Comes Alive In Peru
After immigrating from Venezuela with her family, 15-year-old Nicole is thriving at school in Lima, Peru, with support from integrated services delivered by UNICEF with funding from Education Cannot Wait (ECW).
© UNICEF/UNI790498/Rafahela Garcia. All rights reserved.
By Gregory Benchwick
Fifteen-year-old Nicole is a portrait of the indomitable power of the human spirit. She is just one of the more than 7.9 million refugees, migrants and asylum seekers who have fled violence, poverty and chaos in Venezuela.
The journey hasn't been easy. It took 15 days for Nicole and her family to reach Lima, Peru. For many others, it will be months before they make it to their final destination, traveling in dangerous conditions and with minimal support.
While she's grateful she could continue her studies at her new school in Peru, Nicole has faced bullying, isolation and other challenges. The culture and customs are far different from where she grew up, and at first Nicole struggled to adjust to her new school.
Learning to adapt to a new school in a new country was difficult at first for Nicole, seen her at age 13 in 2023. She experienced bullying and discrimination. An innovative program delivered by UNICEF with funding from Education Cannot Wait (ECW) promoting respect and cultural sensitivity has benefitted all students at her school, not just newcomers.
© UNICEF/UNI516966/Angel Fonseca. All rights reserved.
With the support of an innovative education program delivered by UNICEF with funding from Education Cannot Wait (ECW), Nicole has truly found herself — and her place — in her new classroom. The program promotes respect, non-discrimination and sensitivity through a quality education.
'I have adapted more, integrated more and my classmates know me more now," Nicole says. "Before, I isolated myself a lot. But now I feel better, more sure of myself and proud of all I have accomplished and what is to come."
ECW has invested $15.3 million in Peru since 2017. The programs have been delivered by a wide consortium of local and international partners, including UNICEF, in coordination with Peru's Ministry of Education. Over the years, these investments have reached nearly 50,000 children with quality, holistic education supports, provided training for 14,000 teachers, and issued cash transfers to more than 5,700 students to ensure continued access to education.
A teacher helps Nicole, left, and a classmate at their desks in 2023. The sign on the wall says, "I want it, I can do it and I deserve it."
© UNICEF/UNI517079/Angel Fonseca. All rights reserved.
With guided interventions from the program, tailored psychosocial support and other integrated initiatives, Nicole is making new friends and hitting her stride in a new country, a new home and a new life — including an upcoming school trip to Cusco with her friends.
She is now in her final year of secondary school, and was elected to the student council.
'I want to study law in the university. I also like cosmetology and dentistry, so I'd like to have at least two majors,' Nicole says.
Nicole, left, and a classmate study together in 2025.
© UNICEF/UNI790491/Rafahela Garcia. All rights reserved.
In the Lima and Trujillo areas, a total of 132 schools benefited from the +Diversidad Program delivered by UNICEF from 2021 to 2024. The multi-year resilience program is now in its second phase with RET International as the lead organization.
'In the context of the +Diversidad Program, UNICEF and its partners have been working with the schools, with the teachers and with all the members of the education community to approach these cases of bullying and violence against adolescent migrants and refugees,' says Fernando Bolaños, Education Officer for UNICEF Peru. 'This collective work has resulted in reduced cases of discrimination, abuse and bullying in the schools that we accompany.'
Similar programs are being delivered with funding from ECW in response to the Venezuelan regional refugee crisis in Colombia and Ecuador. Together, these programs form a lifeline to support the safety and well-being of refugee and migrant children who are confronted with enormous challenges. Fleeing violence, hunger and poverty in Venezuela, they face a number of truly terrifying human rights violations en route, including sexual trafficking, rape, recruitment into armed groups and other unimaginable attacks on their humanity.
'Nicole's story shows us an adolescent girl with many strengths and capacity even in the face of adversity,' says Maritza Caycho, a representative for Alternativa, the local implementing partner. 'There are many Venezuelan migrant and refugee girls and boys who have arrived in our country who have these same stories and who also need a school that is truly inclusive; a school that is accommodating and that recognizes diversity.'
It hasn't always been easy, but Nicole is feeling more at home in her new community in Peru, with support from UNICEF and Education Cannot Wait (ECW).
© UNICEF/UNI790545/Rafahela Garcia. All rights reserved.
Nicole has learned to speak out and to stand up for herself. 'If they are going to say something bad about you or bully you, never remain silent," she says. "We always need to be united together to become better people and to be able to learn a little more.'
Worldwide, there are more than 234 million girls and boys like Nicole whose education has been disrupted by the converging challenges of conflict, forced displacement and climate change.Every child has the right to the safety, hope and opportunity that only a quality education can provide. Join ECW and UNICEF today to #KeepHopeAlive.
Your contribution to UNICEF is more important than ever. Please donate.
Right now, the lives of the most vulnerable children hang in the balance as conflicts and crises jeopardize the care and protection that they deserve. Dependable, uninterrupted and effective foreign aid is critical to the well-being of millions of children. Please contact your members of Congress and urge them to support ongoing U.S. investments in foreign assistance.
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