Today, J.K. Rowling’s charity, Lumos, started an IndieGoGo campaign to raise money to help children with disabilities get an education. They are raising funds for a Special Education Unit in Moldova that will enable local children with severe disabilities to attend their local school for the first time in their lives. The Unit will be adapted for the special needs of the children to ensure that they receive a good quality education, supporting them to achieve their full potential.

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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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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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.

For full information on the campaign, visit IndieGoGo. Every penny or cent they receive goes directly to their projects and is not used to pay for overhead costs such as administration or fundraising, thanks to J.K. Rowling’s support.