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.
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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.”
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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
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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
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– Lumos Advocate
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– Lumos Leader
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– Lumos Star
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– Lumos Hero
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– Lumos Warrior
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– Lumos Champion
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– Lumos Superstar!
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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, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,
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 .