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Christian Blind Mission (CBM)
SCBM International (CBMI) was founded in 1908, with the opening of a home for the blind, hearing impaired and physically disabled people. Due to continuous expansion, the charity has become a major international agency working worldwide. CBM is recognised by the World Health Organisation as a professional partner in its initiative Vision 2020 – the Right to Sight. CBM is an international Christian development organisation whose primary purpose is to improve the quality of life of the world’s poorest people with disabilities and those at risk of disability. Through its partner organisations, CBM currently reaches 12.5 million people and aims to reach many more in the coming years. Ten Member Associations support a joint programme of work with a total annual budget of almost 59 million Euros.
Project Summary:
Intra Ocular Lenses for Cataract Surgeries
Standard Chartered Bank’s Seeing is believing campaign has partnered with CBM to provide almost two million sight restoring cataract surgeries in 14 countries over the next four years. Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world. Approximately half of the blind population – around 17 million people – could be cured through a simple 15 minute operation that costs only £20 for CBM to administer. CBM’s vision is to have a world free from unnecessary blindness; where blind, visually impaired and disabled people have the support and rehabilitation they need to help them become productive members of society with full human and legal rights. Sight restoration has an enormous impact on not only individuals but also families. Those who are blind and visually impaired are more likely to be poor, unemployed, and less educated. Through a relatively easy operation, sight can be
restored and full independence regained.
CBM places the elimination of blindness in the context of global poverty reduction. Ninety per cent of the world’s estimated 37 million blind people live in developing countries, which are therefore the focus of CBM’s activities. CBM works in 113 countries around the world, supporting over 1,000 projects. This initiative will concentrate on 14 countries; Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. CBM’s twelve regional offices will oversee the project in terms of plans, strategies, outputs and financial administration.
Little is known about the causes of cataract. Cataracts occur more frequently in older people than in the young, although children are affected through congenital cataract. The disease is often linked to eye injury or diseases such as glaucoma and diabetes. In cases of old age or injury, fluid causes the lens fibres to swell and form a lump. Much like the white of an egg, the clear lens becomes an opaque white. In spite of what we don’t know about the causes, curing cataract is simple. CBM specialists place low cost intraocular lens implants right inside the eye, meaning that patients no longer have to worry about the cost of maintaining and replacing glasses. In just 15 minutes, sight is restored. CBM aims to reach more people, with good quality eye service – this programme will provide affordable eye care for poor people, that is available to all. With the support of Seeing is believing we will be able to change the lives of two million people forever.
