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Helping Children to Reunite with families
Fighting for the millions of children in institutions and orphanages around the world

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WE ARE LUMOS

Fighting for the millions of children in institutions and orphanages around the world.

Family hugging their son

Two girls smiling together

A woman and a child smiling and hugging

A woman carrying a child laughing

A brother and sister

Three brothers in Greece

Across the world many families face poverty, conflict or a lack of support to care for children. Placing their children in orphanages or other institutions can seem like the only possible solution, with the promise of better education, healthcare and food security. These promises are rarely fulfilled. Children separated from their families become trapped and vulnerable; deprived of the love and attention of a family, harming their development and future.

Lumos was founded by J K Rowling to illuminate a path for children living in harmful orphanages and other institutions, to a brighter future. By tackling the causes of family separation – poverty, abuse, domestic violence and disability discrimination - children can be united with loving families where they can thrive and be supported to reach their full potential.

Diana and her sister

BACK TO A LOVING HOME

Sat comfortably in her grandparent's house, Diana dreams of helping other children like her who have experienced life without a family or a home. In 2018, Diana and her younger sister Alicia were sent to an institution because their mother was deemed unable to care for them; they stayed there for a whole year.

read more about Find out how Lumos reunited Diana and her sister with their grandparents

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Donations made in Great British Pounds will benefit Lumos Foundation, registered charity number: 1112575, and donations made in Dollars will benefit Lumos Foundation USA, EIN: 47-2301085.

Featured posts

read more about The launch of the Task Force to combat trafficking in Haiti. (News) read more about the true scale of children trapped in orphanages and institutions. (News) read more about Tales from Lumos: Transforming Children’s Lives - Audio Documentary. (Video) read more about COVID-19: Considerations on Vulnerable Children. (Lumos voices)
See more news posts in news section
Evanna Lynch Beedle Donation

SHOP AND DONATE TO LUMOS

There are several ways you can buy beautiful products, and donate to Lumos at the same time. From books, to charm bracelets, e-books and more, there are many ways you can get involved.

read more about Shop now

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The work we do:

  • Moldova : We have been working in the Republic of Moldova since 2006 in co-operation with the Moldovan Government. At that point Moldova had committed to a five-year plan to reduce the numbers of children in institutions by 50%.

    Our work in Moldova

  • Ethiopia : Lumos is working with partners on a new project to provide family based care to unaccompanied refugee and migrant children in the refugee camps in Shire, northern Ethiopia.

    Our work in Ethiopia

  • Ukraine : Ukraine has among the highest number of children in institutions in Europe, with an ingrained institutional system viewed as the only solution for children at risk. Success in Ukraine is likely to have considerable influence on the deinstitutionalisation reform processes in the neighbouring countries.

    Our work in Ukraine

  • Brussels: Since 2010, the Brussels-based Advocacy and Campaigns team have worked to raise awareness and understanding of the harm caused to children’s development and well-being by institutionalisation with EU stakeholders such as politicians,civil servants and civil society networks.

    Our work in Brussels

  • Greece: Lumos began working in Greece in 2015 to encourage reform of their child protection system.

    Our work in Greece

  • Czech Republic: Lumos began work in the Czech Republic in 2008. Our impact here has been gradual, but admissions to institutions, and the numbers of children in them, have fallen.

    Our work in Czech Republic

  • Haiti: Lumos began work in Haiti in January 2015, as part of a joint programme with key governmental and NGO partners. We are working to transform care services for vulnerable children and families in Haiti by 2030.

    Our work in Haiti

  • Bulgaria: Lumos was asked to provide expertise and technical support to help implement Bulgaria’s national strategy. We set up our Bulgarian office in 2010.

    Our work in Bulgaria

  • United Kingdom: Lumos' corporate headquarters are in London, United Kingdom. If you would like to get in touch with any of our teams please use the form on the contact page.

    Our work in United Kingdom

  • Colombia : Figures from the Colombian Family Welfare Institute (ICBF) suggest that there are nearly 15,000 children living in institutions in Colombia. Working with partner organisations, Lumos aims to support the transformation of the care system, moving from institutionalisation to family based care.

    Our work in Colombia

  • Kenya: There are an estimated 43,000 children currently living in Charitable Children's Institutions in Kenya.

    Our work in Kenya

  • Lumos Foundation USA: Lumos Foundation USA was launched in 2015 to help build political and public will in support of the US Government’s goals to strengthen families and end orphanages and other residential institutions.

    Our work in Lumos Foundation USA