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Help Children With Disabilities Go to School

Create a brighter future for children with disabilities by helping them access education in Moldova

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Help Children With Disabilities Go to School

Help Children With Disabilities Go to School

Help Children With Disabilities Go to School

Help Children With Disabilities Go to School

Help Children With Disabilities Go to School

Create a brighter future for children with disabilities by helping them access education in Moldova

Create a brighter future for children with disabilities by helping them access education in Moldova

Create a brighter future for children with disabilities by helping them access education in Moldova

Create a brighter future for children with disabilities by helping them access education in Moldova

Charlotte Ulett
Charlotte Ulett
Charlotte Ulett
Charlotte Ulett
1 Campaign |
Ialoveni, Moldova, Republic of
$30,643 USD 398 backers
102% of $30,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

Our campaign has now come to an end, however, if you still wish to support Lumos you can donate via our website. Thank you very much.

Project Background

Every child has the right to an education and every child should have the opportunity to fulfill their potential. We believe that disability should never prevent a child from accessing the education they deserve or separate them from their family and community.

Who are we?

We are Lumos, an international children’s charity founded by J.K. Rowling. We are working to address the harm caused to the millions of children across the globe living in large residential institutions. Our aim is to end this institutionalization and ensure that all children grow up in safe and caring environments, where their needs are met and their fundamental human rights are respected.

In the countries where Lumos works, many children with disabilities are placed in institutions, far away from their families, simply because special education is not provided in schools in their communities. In some places children with the most profound disabilities are even considered ‘uneducable’; and are either sent to institutions with no love, little care and no education, or kept at home with no education or support for their family.

Since 2006, we have been working in Moldova, the poorest country in Europe. We have been part of establishing an inclusive education system, this has meant that hundreds of children have been able to return home from institutions. But special care and attention is needed for the children with the most severe disabilities, to ensure that they receive an education – a good education!

Our Project

We are building a Special Education Unit in Ialoveni, a small district just south of Moldova’s capital city, Chisinau. The Unit will be attached to the local mainstream school and will enable children with severe and complex physical and learning disabilities to attend the school for the first time in their lives. They will be educated alongside all the other children, and will have the opportunity to get to know them and play with them.

The Special Education Unit has been specifically designed to support children with complex disabilities, and will include a variety of facilities and support services. The Unit will provide psychological and social counselling, for children and their families. There will also be special rooms for Hydrotherapy, sensory, art and music therapy and speech therapy. A specialist gym will be provided for vital sports and movement therapy. In addition, there will be areas that cater for the special health care needs of the children. 

In addition to constructing and furnishing the unit, Lumos will train teachers and specialist support staff to ensure that the children receive high quality education and all the care and support that they need. We’ll also purchase necessary special equipment such as adapted minibuses, wheelchairs, adapted desks and chairs, sports equipment, toys and much more.

The Unit is the first of its kind in Moldova and will pave the way for children with severe disabilities across the country to access quality education in the community.

The site where we will build the Special Education Unit.

What impact will this project have?

The Special Education Unit will be adapted for the special needs of the children to ensure that they receive a good quality education, supporting them to reach their full potential. It will not only have a huge impact on the children, but also on their families and communities as children will be able to receive an education whilst living at home with their families and being part of their local communities. Parents will receive support to send their child to school and will no longer have to feel that sending their child to an institution is the only way.

One mother told us how the Unit will help change attitudes towards people with disabilities, and also what it will mean for her 13 year old son, Radu*:

 “I’m so happy to learn that this Unit will be established . This Unit will be the first chance my son has to leave his home and garden. Radu may be seriously ill with severe physical disabilities, but he is still very intelligent – he is very good at mathematics and geography, and he is excited about learning French. Some people are afraid of children like my son, who have such complex disabilities; others just ignore these children and see no future for them or even think they shouldn’t be part of the community. This Unit will help change the way people think about children like Radu.”

Another mother told us how the Unit will give her much-needed support and a break from caring full-time for her severely disabled daughter:

“I need at least three hours a week to have my personal medical check-ups, but I am always very busy with my daughter. I have dreamed of the day when a Unit like this would exist, where I can trust my daughter will be educated and looked after even for a short period of the day. It will mean so much to me, as a parent and as a human being.”

The Unit will be an example of best practice for other countries and will demonstrate that the inclusion of children with severe disabilities in mainstream education is possible. With the right support and stimulation, each and every child can access knowledge, be creative, learn and interact with their peers.

To ensure the project is completely sustainable, we’re working in close partnership with Ialoveni Council, which will manage the Special Education Unit when it’s completed.

Your donation will not only help generations of disabled children access education in the environment of a mainstream school, but will also help change attitudes towards children with disabilities.

*name changed to protect child’s identity

Our 100% Pledge

What will your donation fund?

Here’s a look at what we can achieve with your support. If you donate $100 or more your name will be immortalized on our website as part of our special Wall of Thanks! This is a one of a kind chance to be thanked on the website of the charity founded by J.K. Rowling. See the Wall here

Please allow 48hrs after making your contribution to be listed on the Wall of Thanks. If you’re a UK tax payer your contribution may be eligible for Gift Aid, we will contact you after the campaign ends with further details.


Lumos Perks

– Lumos Supporter

 – Lumos Advocate

 – Lumos Leader

 – Lumos Star

 – Lumos Hero

 – Lumos Warrior

 – Lumos Champion

 – Lumos Superstar!

View the Wall of Thanks here. Please allow up to 48 hours after  making your contribution for your name to appear on the Wall of Thanks.

How to Get Involved

  • Support our campaign: Give generously and help us transform the lives of vulnerable children
  • Make some noise: Ask your family, friends, and co-workers to help spread the word about our campaign on Indiegogo. Check out Indiegogo's easy to use share tools above.
  • Stay connected: Check back for campaign updates and exciting new perks! Connect with Lumos through our website, FacebookTwitterInstagram, YouTube, and subscribe to our newsletter.

FAQs

When will the Special Education Unit be finished and what will happen in the meantime?

The project will be completed by mid-2016, and there is lots going on in the meantime! The final design of the Unit has been agreed and construction work will begin by this Christmas. Throughout 2015, the unit will be constructed, furniture and equipment will be sourced, manufactured and purchased, and teaching materials and school curricula will be developed. In 2016, the specially adapted minibuses will be bought and support staff will be recruited and trained. The children will also be officially enrolled in the Unit at this time and both children and parents will be fully prepared for the exciting change. We will send you regular updates and keep you in the loop.

How is J.K. Rowling involved in the charity?

J.K. Rowling is Lumos’ inspirational Founder and President. Thanks to her generous gift, your contribution will directly benefit our projects and will not be used to pay for overhead costs such as administration, office costs or fundraising.

Does shipping cost extra?

Yes please. Indiegogo doesn’t allow us to add any extra shipping to our special perks that need delivering, so please add $10 to your perk to help us cover these additional costs. We want to make sure 100% of your donation goes to the programme and therefore shipping is not included in the suggested donation price.

How can I get involved and support the campaign further?

The best way to support us is to become a generous funder of the project. However, there are other ways that you can get involved:

  • Share the campaign with your friends and family via email and your social networks.
  • Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and sign up to our newsletter.

For more FAQs please visit our homepage.

  • If you’re a UK tax payer your contribution may be eligible for Gift Aid; we will contact you after the campaign ends with further details. Lumos Foundation (Lumos) is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales number: 5611912 | Registered charity number: 1112575 . 
    • Looking for more information? Check the project FAQ
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      Choose your Perk

      Lumos Supporter

      $10 USD
      $10 can go towards buying modified eating and drinking aids for the children at the Special Education Unit. Thank you so much for making a big difference to the lives of so many children.
      78 claimed

      Lumos Advocate

      $25 USD
      $25 can help buy vital sports and play equipment for the children who are attending school thanks to our Special Education Unit. Thank you for being an amazing Lumos Advocate.
      36 claimed

      Lumos Leader

      $50 USD
      $50 could help fund vital equipment for our sensory therapy room in the Special Education Unit. Thank you for funding this project, you’re an amazing Lumos Leader.
      15 claimed

      Lumos Star

      $100 USD
      $100 can go towards purchasing a manual wheelchair that will aid the mobility of a severely disabled child in Moldova. As a Lumos Star you’ll be added to our official Wall of Thanks on our website. See your name amongst all the other amazing people that have funded our campaign by visiting this link: http://www.wearelumos.org/thank-you Please allow 48hrs after making your contribution to be listed on the Wall of Thanks.
      20 claimed

      Lumos Hero

      $250 USD
      $250 could help buy a special school desk that will help a child with physical disabilities take part in their lessons. Your name will also be added to our Wall of Thanks. Thank you for funding the Special Education Unit, your contribution means you truly are one of our Heroes.
      4 claimed

      Lumos Warrior

      $500 USD
      $500 could go towards a special stander that will allow a child with severe mobility difficulties to go to school and stand eye to eye with their classmates. You will also be added to the Lumos Wall of Thanks. Thank you very much for helping make a lifelong change to a child’s life.
      0 claimed

      Lumos Champion

      $1,000 USD
      $1,000 could go towards funding the vital training of teachers and staff for the Special Education Unit. Look out for your name on the Lumos Wall of Thanks. Thank you for supporting this important project; you truly are a Lumos Champion.
      1 claimed

      Lumos Superstar

      $10,000 USD
      For this amazing gift of $10,000 you could help fund a specially adapted mini bus, this bus will enable the children to be transported from their homes to the school. You will also be able to see your name emblazoned on our website with your title of Lumos Superstar! Thank you so much for your very generous support.
      1 claimed

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