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Money raised by the Soft Toys for Education campaign and used to fund projects run by Save the Children and UNICEF is making a difference to children all over the world

Together we can help…

Education empowers children, helping them become independent, get a job and, in turn, raise a family and educate their own children. Since its launch in 2003, the annual Soft Toys for Education campaign has raised €35.2 million. Last year the campaign raised a record-breaking €11.4 million. This money has helped improve schools, providing better supplies and trained teachers for more than eight million children in over 40 countries.

For every soft toy bought between 1 November and 24 December 2011, IKEA will donate 1 euro to help educate children. ‘As a mark of IKEA Foundation’s commitment to advocating for children’s rights, we aim to raise awareness of every child’s right to education,’ says Per Heggenes, Chief Executive, Stichting IKEA Foundation. Working with Save the Children and UNICEF, the IKEA Foundation aims to improve opportunities for children by funding programmes that create lasting change.

You’ve made my future brighter!

Meet Raissa

‘I miss my parents very much. They live in South Africa – they decided that it was best for me and my sister to stay with my grandmother in Chibuto in Mozambique. There is a lack of jobs in my district, so often my friends’ parents emigrate to neighbouring South Africa to work in the mines or sell fruit.

‘I started school when I was six years old. The best thing about being in school is that I’m able to learn lots of things. There I can get a good quality education. Without school, I don’t think I would be able to learn how to read and write.

‘Through the school I got selected to be part of the group of children working at the Chibuto community radio. The station was set up in 2009, thanks to the Child Friendly School initiative. Being a radio producer has helped shape my dream of becoming a journalist in the future. After school, I would like to go to university and study journalism. I have dreamed about this since I was little.

‘There are people that did not study and as a result are now on the streets begging. I would like to continue studying to become a role model for the children that perhaps do not value education.’

Meet Luisa

Luisa da Alegria Damago Nate is 13. She goes to the local primary school in Macunene, in Chibuto District, Mozambique, and took part in UNICEF’s One Minute Junior project. Funded by the IKEA Foundation it encouraged children to share their stories.

‘I love going to school,’ says Luisa. ‘My favourite subjects are Portuguese and maths and I have very good grades. The best thing about going to school is learning lots of new things.

‘All children have the right to go to school. Children should not be allowed to just survive from the rubbish they collect. It’s not good for their health.

‘When I finish school, I hope to go to university and study to be a police officer. I would like to work in a victim support centre so I can help others by making sure the law is respected. And I could support my family.’

Meet Jeni

Jeni is nine and lives in a shack in northern Albania with her grandmother and uncle. Work is scarce and both adults struggle with unemployment. Jeni likes playing and drawing and has started attending the Socio-Educative Center for Integration. Supported by Save the Children using funds from the IKEA Foundation, the centre is designed to support the most vulnerable children. Jeni has nicknamed it ‘My loving school’.

‘Two years ago, I could just count to 10. My only friends were older boys, and I used to fight with them. Today, I can read and write the alphabet, do addition and subtraction, and I know geometric shapes. I recently got the highest scores in ABCs and maths.

‘At my loving school, I enjoy maths the most – I like to be top of the class! I like learning lots of new things, like dancing, reciting and singing. And I really like my classmates.’