CBM Australia (formerly Christian Blind Mission)
I rise today to tell you about a very special aid organisation that performs real miracles throughout the developing world. The Christian Blind Mission International is a Christian international development organisation whose primary purpose is to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities, as well as to reduce the risk of disability, particularly for people living in the poorest areas of the world. In fact, Christian Blind Mission is the largest organisation in the world working with people with disabilities.
CBM Australia works with the most vulnerable people: those forgotten in the chaos of civil unrest, or natural disaster. They note that in war zones, for every person killed there are 3 who are maimed for life. And these people with disabilities are the most vulnerable to further attacks and the least likely to survive. They tend to be jostled out of the way by pressing queues in relief efforts, and lose out on their share of services because they cannot compete with the able-bodied. CBM Australia advocates on behalf of, and speaks up, for all these people – and keeps them from being forgotten or forsaken by their families, communities, and governments.
In many cultures any disability is considered a shameful thing, a cause for social stigma and a reason to be hidden from public view by the family. CBM Australia takes on an educational role in these places, lobbying the governments to treat these people as they would any able-bodied and able-minded individuals. Because of its core Christian beliefs CBM Australia also raises the issue of the innate human dignity and worth of these people directly with the aid agencies in those countries that have anti-disability perspectives.
In other places in the world, the goal is to expand CBM Australia’s ‘Blindness Prevention Projects’ – in order to respond to the increase in the numbers of people suffering from a sight disability as a result of injury and malnutrition during natural disasters such as earthquakes, cyclones, tsunamis and the major flooding that has been hitting Southeast Asian areas.
After an emergency has left the front pages of the newspaper CBM Australia remains behind to assist the injured with job re-training, building new homes, providing surgery, prosthetics and orthopaedic appliances to amputees, and other practical help depending on the need. Trained doctors and nurses go into isolated and remote communities to find and care for those in need.
Another major project of Another major project of CBM Australia is the prevention of “River Blindness” in African countries. This terrible disease occurs after the bite of a black river fly, which deposits a parasite under the skin of the victim. When the parasite matures it destroys the optic nerves in the eyes of its host – causing excruciating pain and irreversible blindness in thousands of victims yearly.
During the wet season in West Africa there are millions of exposed children and adults, at risk of “River Blindness” all through villages in Nigeria, Congo and Liberia. In the past 20 years, over 530 million treatments have been given by CBM Australia to prevent this scourge, and their aggressive preventative effort continues. Just one small tablet taken by a disease free individual can keep that person safe from the disease for life. River Blindness has now been eradicated in one African nation, Benin, and the hope is that it will be eradicated entirely throughout Africa in our lifetimes.
In other work, CBM Australia sets up support groups for parents with disabled children, particularly the mothers – who are frequently blamed for their children’s afflictions. Educating the parents as to their children’s innate worth as people, and teaching them how to assist their children with the tasks of daily life, helps to empower families.
The most wonderful work CBM Australia does, however, is closer to home, with their outreach work to Papua New Guinea where they restore sight to the blind with 15 minute cataract surgeries performed at community based clinics. CBM Australia’s doctors have performed nearly 48,000 such operations this year alone. Other areas of focus by CBM Australia include cleft palate, clubfeet, hydrocephalus, and obstetric fistula.
This inspiring work of CBM Australia is financially supported by many dedicated donors throughout Australia. It is the ongoing generosity of ordinary people that empowers CBM Australia to carry out such vital work in areas of need.
I am proud to be a long time supporter of this wonderful faith-based organisation, which is this year celebrating its 100th year of service, and I commend the work of CBM Australia to you.