Lumos

An incorrect yet common belief exists among many that sending children to residential schools offers the best chance for their future. In our Learning Curves report, we uncovered that for many children in remote areas, residential schooling was the only option to get an education. This was especially true in impoverished areas, where education was seen as a pathway out of poverty. That's why we support making high-quality, community-based, non-residential education available and accessible to all children. No family should have to decide between their child's education and staying together. Learn more about the links between education and institutionalisation: https://lnkd.in/eyQRzjHa

Exciting Announcement! Mark your calendars for May 19th and 23rd as our amazing Ambassador Evanna Lynch takes to BBC Radio 4 to help raise life-changing funds for Lumos! If you donate, you could double your impact as up to £40,000 in donations will be match-funded by a generous supporter! Tune in and show your support however you can—it all makes a world of difference!

Face-to-face time can be important for parents and caregivers to share their week and tips on parenting. Lumos Moldova and our partners have hosted training sessions and activities for over 754 parents and caregivers of children under five. Together, these parents could chat, learn and participate in group sessions where they could receive support and exchange advice. By empowering families, even in a small way, we can help foster an environment where children can thrive at home. Learn more about our work in Moldova here: https://lnkd.in/eU-yVUUG

Lumos Kenya and ChildFund International, along with their dedicated partners, recently met to ignite change in the Eastern Region. Led by passionate minds, they discussed scaling up care reform efforts, how to empower communities, and what we can do to best safeguard the future of local children. What makes this partnership special? 🌟 Seamlessly integrating care reform into existing programmes 🌟 ChildFund's commitment to inclusion is backed by funders 🌟 Training frontline heroes to champion change 🌟Strong ties with local authorities for long-term impact Together, we're making a difference!

Lumos was delighted to participate in the International Dialogue Around the Better Care Reform in Ukraine in Kyiv last Friday, 26th April. This event brought together many high-level stakeholders from the Government of Ukraine, the European Union, national governments, UNICEF, children, parents and civil society, who are all combining efforts to support Ukraine to transform its care system and enable all children to live in families. During the session, our CEO, Peter McDermott, emphasized Lumos's admiration for the Government of Ukraine's steadfast commitment to reforming its care system for children, despite the immense challenges the country is facing. He praised the Coordination Centre for Family Upbringing and Childcare Development for the impressive progress made on developing a national strategy and action plan in the last year. He also noted the commitment of the wide range of partners coming together to support this reform, including the European Union, bilateral donors, UNICEF, civil society and others. Peter highlighted some of the key features that we hope to see in this reform, such as inclusivity, a holistic approach, and placing the voices of individuals with lived experience, children and caregivers, at the centre. During his trip, Peter and Lumos Ukraine also met bilaterally with a large number of partner organisations working on both humanitarian assistance and care reform. The Coordination Center for Family Upbringing and Child Care Development

Lumos Moldova hosted a heartwarming event to mark World Autism Day on 2nd April, alongside Florești Family Doctor’s Centre and the Early Childhood Intervention Centre. 17 amazing children and their parents/carers, plus professionals from various institutions came together for a day of learning and joy. The children were painting, dancing, and playing games, all led by the fantastic teams from ECI Centre and Youth Friendly Health Centre. Every child left with smiles and surprise gifts from Lumos! Meanwhile, parents/carers explored with professionals their experiences in caring for children with autism. These 19 dedicated professionals also led workshops on early identification, psychological counselling and occupational therapy for communication. The day ended with a beautiful commitment—the creation of a support group for parents/carers of children with autism. Together, we're stronger! #AutismAwareness #CommunitySupport

UNICEF Europe & Central Asia has released a game-changing White Paper on boarding schools for vulnerable children in Europe and Central Asia. We are proud to have contributed our expertise, with our research having been cited. Lumos Advocacy and Campaigns Manager, Lucy Halton said: “We are delighted to see this important White Paper published, especially as it cites Lumos’s Learning Curves research on the links between education and institutional care. Documents like this have the potential to significantly influence how states treat children in vulnerable situations, and we are excited to continue working with UNICEF ECARO on this critical issue.” This underscores the vital links between education and care reform. Because of your support, we're shaping the very policies that better support children in need. Read the White Paper: https://lnkd.in/eu8SDQBS #UNICEF #Lumos #Education #ChildWelfare

As many of you know, a big focus of my work at Lumos over the past few years has been on the underexplored link between Education and Residential Institutions. Too many families are being forced to choose between their child's right to education and to family life. That's why I am SO pleased to see the long-awaited UNICEF Europe & Central Asia White Paper on Boarding Schools published, and even more so because it cites our Learning Curves research 🙌 https://lnkd.in/en9Qr9Jt The Paper makes several very important recommendations, and I am particularly encouraged to see UNICEF recommending that States "Recognise boarding schools as part of the continuum of alternative care, regulate then as social care and education providers, and include them in deinstitutionalisation and child care system reform policies and programmes, as well as in inclusive education reforms." This has the potential to enact huge change for children across Europe and Central Asia, too many of whom remain in institutions classed as 'schools'. You can read the press release here https://lnkd.in/ecsNz2ed and full White Paper at https://lnkd.in/eMdTYrrH Stela Grigoras Irina Malanciuc

Recently Lumos Moldova organised the ‘Designing My Future’ Youth Forum to help Ukrainian refugee children to plan for their future. These incredible children created posters envisioning their futures, took the first steps towards realising their goals and got involved in sessions on personal finance and managing stress. This event worked to not only help build confidence in the children, but also encouraged a relaxed space where they could talk with each other. Learn more about our work to help Ukrainian refugees: https://lnkd.in/gTTRXBwf

🌟 Big News! 🌟 This April, Lumos Colombia children will speak up in Bogotá! They will be the highlight of high-level events, pushing for transformative action and support for children in the protection system. From the National Congress to the Bogotá City Council, they'll be sharing their ideas for a brighter future.