Refugees’ lives get brighter, thanks to IKEA Foundation and UNHCR
Most of us take lights for granted, if it’s dark and we can’t see we turn on the light. For those living in refugee camps life can be dark in more ways than one. In refugee camps most activities stop after sundown because there is little to no light.
How about an experiment. My kids had a go at this activity sheet to prove that things are much easier with the light on. They did one section with the light on and the next section with the light off. My ten year old son thought he had done a pretty good job with the light off but was was amazed at the difference between the two attempts.
It’s a real eye opener to see what a difference a light makes. You can download the activity sheet here and try for yourself.
Today there are over 13 million Syrian refugees under UNHCR’s care, half of whom are children.
On 1 February 2015, the IKEA Brighter Lives for Refugees campaign returns to raise millions of dollars for refugees living around the world. Thanks to the Brighter Lives for Refugees campaign, many now have lighting and energy solutions.
So how does the IKEA Brighter Lives for Refugee Campaign work?
For every LED light bulb purchased in IKEA stores in February and March 2015, the IKEA Foundation will donate €1 (approx. AUD$1.45) to help UNHCR light refugee camps—making them a safer, more suitable place for the many families who live there.
The campaign launch for the first time in 2014 with IKEA co-workers and customers helping raise €7.7 million.
Part of the funds from last year’s campaign have been used to help over 11,000 Syrian refugees living in Azraq refugee camp, Jordan, by providing families with a solar-powered lantern, which can be used for mobile-phone charging and as a light source so families can carry on with their everyday activities. Solar lanterns allow girls and boys to study after dark, helping them with their education and progress in school. Lanterns and solar street lights mean that adults can continue working and communities can have social gatherings after sunset.
This year, the IKEA Foundation hopes the Brighter Lives for Refugees campaign will raise even more money so they can help thousands more refugees lead a better everyday life.
If you need a light bulb then make a difference by purchasing it at IKEA. The campaign runs through till the end of March 2015.
Not only will you be getting light, you’ll be giving light.
