The Luminos Fund provides transformative education programs to thousands of out-of-school children, helping them to catch up to grade level, reintegrate into government schools, and prepare for lifelong learning.

Luminos was founded to ensure all children have equal access to joyful, foundational learning, especially those shut out of education by crisis, poverty, or discrimination. Our vision is of a world where no child is ever denied the chance to learn.

Working in partnership with community-based organizations, Luminos currently operates classrooms in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East where children live in very challenging circumstances. Many are the first in their family to receive an education.

Even before COVID-19 pushed children around the world out of school, 59 million primary-school-aged children were out of school globally. Today, there are an estimated 78 million primary-school-aged out-of-school children. Children who are out of primary school are uniquely challenged to develop vital skills and keep up with educated peers over time.

The Luminos accelerated learning program for out-of-school children, also known as Second Chance or other local names, is one of the world’s leading innovations in K-12 education. In just ten months, we teach students to read and do math – to learn how to learn – through a joyful, activity-based curriculum.

Luminos programs achieve inspiring, long-term results. Upon completion of our programs, over ninety percent of students advance into government school, continuing on the path to opportunity. Even six years after completing our program and transitioning into government schools, Luminos children continue to fare better than their counterparts. Luminos graduates complete primary school at twice the rate of their peers.

To date, we’ve helped 218,541 children experience joyful learning, and we’re just getting started.