A tale of two Marias
Born with cerebral palsy in Moldova, little Maria was left in an orphanage – until she found a home with Mama Maria.
By 2050 all children will grow up in loving, nurturing, protective families.
What We Do
Children belong in families,not orphanages
Children belong in families, not orphanages
The Problem
Most children in orphanages have families – families who simply need help raising their children.
Our Approach
By 2050, our mission is to end institutionalisation around the world. Everything that we do aims to achieve this ambitious goal.
Our Impact
Thanks to Lumos, over 31,500 children have left – or been prevented from entering – harmful institutions and orphanages since 2009.
Learn More About
Policy and Advocacy
To create meaningful change, we partner with advocates and allies at every level: from international decision-makers to children and their families.
Youth Participation at Lumos
Lumos supports the empowerment of children to become young spokespeople, especially those young people who live with intellectual disabilities or are members of other marginalised groups.
Global Training
Lumos' Global Training and Advisory Team provides a wide range of technical assistance to local Lumos programmes worldwide.
Dumitriţa's journey as a Lumos Young Advocate
Dumitriţa is an active promoter of children's rights to a family, education and participation and has taken part in a number of advocacy campaigns with Lumos as a young advocate.
Stories from Our Work
There are many people that have a great story to tell about how Lumos' work has touched their lives.