This holiday season, J.K. Rowling’s international children’s foundation Lumos invites you to join them in its fourth annual Home for the Holidays Appeal, a campaign that reminds us all of the joy and security a loving family provides during the most special time of year.
The Lumos annual appeal seeks to raise awareness and funds for their work supporting the estimated 5.4 million children worldwide who are likely to spend this holiday season in an institution, rather than in a family. This time of year, especially, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of a safe and loving family in the lives of children.
Over December and into the New Year, Lumos is sharing stories from people with lived experience of institutional care, stories of challenge, change, and most importantly, hope. These voices are as passionate about driving care reform for children globally as we are.
One story they have shared in their holiday series is of Laura (pictured), 27, from Colombia, who spent 16 years in an institution. She is now determined to raise awareness of what it is like to grow up in an institution, saying, “I want to share with my future children all the love I couldn’t have and for them to grow up loved, protected, listened to.”
Visit Lumos’ website to read Laura’s full story and more information about the appeal.