Writer and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth, who is a devoted Christian and a regular presenter on the BBC programme called ‘One Show’, has been supporting the charity’s work with his wife for 20 years. 

He stated: “We believe that no one should face a lifetime of blindness just because their family is poor. People are living needlessly blind with cataracts when simple surgery could restore their sight – if only their families could afford it. Supporting CBM means more people can have their sight restored and live a life full of opportunity.”

CBM is an organisation that assists people with disabilities to achieve their full potential. They provide funding to address eye diseases, train doctors and health care workers, and perform eye surgeries. It was founded 110 years ago by Ernst Christoffel, who started working with disabled children in Turkey and Iran. The charity has been running a campaign called Light Up Lives, which emphasises improving the lives of blind people in Zimbabwe. The country has one of the highest rates of blindness in the world.

Fifteen-year-old Patricia is grateful to the organisation, as the cataract surgery restored her eyesight: “The project really helped me because I was slowly turning blind. Everything is now back to normal. The pains are all gone now. I am back at school. School is great. I am enjoying it”.

21-year-old Brian says his faith has strengthened after his surgery: “I am in the Bible so much. I like the story of Moses when he took the Israelites out of Egypt. That was really my story concerning my cataract – I still believed that one day, God would lead me to freedom. I just hope that maybe I can start work and get employed in some better places.”

CBM provides aid in training locals to become eye specialists. It also funds hospital infrastructures for district hospitals in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe.

Source: https://www.christiantoday.com/