Restoring Sight and Independence, Providing Hope this Easter

Stouffville, ON, March 26, 2010 - For the past three years, 57-year-old Lidess has been slowly going blind.

Unable to help her family of five do simple household chores or help her husband farm, Lidess was robbed of her independence.

“I was very unhappy because I couldn’t go anywhere without help. I couldn’t even help my family,” said the petite grandmother from Malawi.

“Thanks to generous Canadians, Lidess’ sight was restored with a cataract operation,” says Ed Epp, Executive Director, cbm Canada. “Her life was literally transformed for only $33. She is now active in her community and is a vital contributing member of her family. She has regained her independence and hope for the future.”

Every minute, throughout the world, not just in Africa, people like Lidess who have cataracts, are losing their vision. Worldwide, 18 million people suffer from blindness due to cataracts, unnecessarily. And ninety percent of them live in poverty in the developing world.

“This Easter, you can give a gift that will point to Jesus’ love in a tangible way by bringing hope through the miracle of sight,” says Epp.

For just $33, a person who hasn’t been able to see in years is given the gift of sight and rescued from a lifetime of blindness. All it takes is a simple 12-minute procedure.

“In the world today, the future can look pretty bleak for many people. So many families struggle with hunger and poverty. And when you add the burden of blindness, simple survival becomes even more challenging,” says Epp.

After her sight was restored by cataract surgery, Lidess smiled broadly. “I can see. I’m looking forward to going home to do chores without difficulty. I can even help my husband to farm,” she said.

Cataract surgery is just one of the many meaningful gifts available in cbm Canada’s “Give JOY” catalogue.

A leading international Christian humanitarian organization, cbm works to meet the needs of persons with disabilities in the poorest countries of the world.

For more information, call toll free 1-800-567-2264 or continue to browse our website.

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Media contact:

For more information, or to arrange an interview, contact:
Sandy Hazell
cbm Canada
National Media Coordinator
1-800-567-2264 ext 246
416-302-3166 (cell)
shazell@cbmcanada.org