IKEA’s Helping Syrian Refugees–with their Brighter Lights Program

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IKEA’s Helping Syrian Refugees–with their Brighter Lights Program

Lately I’ve been busy. And we’ve had some major ups (things to celebrate!) and some major downs (health problems) in my extended family. And when that happens we often get really self-absorbed. We think about how hard our own lives are.

And yet I can’t help feeling so despondent over the plight of the refugees from the Syrian conflict–and from other conflicts around the world. The Syrian conflict is close to my heart right now because it’s the most dangerous place to be as a Christian right now. North Korea is more dangerous percentage wise, but Syria had the most Christians dying last year. And so many have fled to refugee camps to get away from the violence. It’s so heartbreaking.

When I was in Kenya I talked to refugees from sectarian violence, and we often think of them as just poor people who must be used to living in refugee camps. They always look so downtrodden you think that this is the way life has always been. But I met upper middle class people who had had to run, with no warning, out of their house to escape people with machetes. They were lawyers and hospital administrators. And now they were in refugee camps. The same thing is going on in Jordan camps, and in Ethiopia, and in Chad, and Bangladesh, and so on, and so on.

And Ikea wants to help! And so they asked me to part of their campaign for Brighter Lights this month.

On February 18, my daughters and I are going to go without lights of any kind (not even cell phones!) at night. On February 19, we’re going to use a solar-powered LED lantern. And then I’ll report back to you and tell you what a difference a light makes!

Imagine what a difference a light makes in a refugee camp. If you were a woman, in a camp, and you had to go to the washroom at night, you’re at really heightened danger of rape. It’s horrifying. I heard the stories in Kenya; I know they’re being multiplied in these camps.

Solar street lights can improve safety in refugee camps by reducing the risk of crime, sexual and gender-based violence.
Solar lanterns help girls and boys in refugee camps study after dark, improving results in school.
Solar street lights help improve life in a refugee camp, enabling more community gatherings and social activities.
Solar lanterns allow refugees to continue important income-generating activities such as weaving or sewing during the dark hours.
Solar lanterns enable refugees to run their small shops and kiosks into the evening, increasing prospects of generating a sustainable income.

Ikea’s Brighter Lives for Refugees campaign runs February 3 – March 29, 2014. The global IKEA store initiative includes a donation of one euro ($1.37)* to the UN refugee agency UNHCR for every IKEA LEDARE – LED light bulb sold. So if you’re planning on doing some shopping at Ikea, why not do it now? And buy some light bulbs while you’re at it!