I LOVE REI
Updating & resharing an updated version of this blog from 2024 as we move towards the 2026 Gala.
I love Refugee Empowerment International, REI. And that is why I joined their Board of Directors 5 (Now 7!) years ago.
What makes REI different?
We are a fundraising and awareness-raising organisation that focusses projects that we have been funding for many years. We have a long-term commitment to these projects, places that can often be forgotten, in the newest refugee and displacement crises. We remain committed to these forgotten refugees, many of whom have grown up on camps, most of whom want to go home, yet can’t.
The projects are self-managed and we at REI, provide resources. We visit the projects, but not as advisors, teachers or experts, but to be present and receive information from the project managers as best how to meet the needs of the communities there, to learn the impact that the resources we provide are having and to maintain the human connection.
We always take our lead from the people who are on the ground. And the people on the ground are always the leaders who live on the camps from the displaced community.
When we visit our projects, we listen and learn - NEVER the other way round.
REI Gala April 17th, 2026
Please invite your family, friends, and colleagues to join us for this memorable year's gala . The 2026 REI Gala – Together we can make a Difference – will take place on Friday 17 April at the Conrad Tokyo.
It is always a lively, entertaining evening with fine dining, thrilling prizes, beautiful entertainment as well as stories from the field. It is an evening that highlights the amazing work that REI supports through your generous contributions. You will meet long-time donors and supporters from the community as well as new friends.
Inspiring stories from the beneficiaries with video footage from the field will demonstrate how our ‘hand-up’ approach enables communities to build their lives and strengthen communities that have been displaced through no choice of their own.
REI is always accepting corporate sponsors, individual sponsors, auction prizes, raffle prizes, and volunteers. Click here to get more information. Also, REI welcomes corporate sponsors, individual sponsors, auction prizes, raffle prizes and volunteers!