UK government to double donations helping people See the Way to a brighter future

Theo from Rwanda has cataracts in both eyes

Today, CBM launches a new appeal to help people with sight problems in the world’s poorest places – and between 15 February and 14 May, the UK government will match all public donations to their See the Way appeal. 

Every day, people in the world’s poorest places become needlessly blind because of conditions that can be easily treated. Too often for people living in poverty, losing your sight also means losing the chance to go to school, live independently or earn a living.

CBM’s new See the way appeal will help people with sight problems in the world’s poorest places to See the Way to a brighter future. Donations will help more people access sight-saving surgery, glasses and support so they can go to school, read and write, get around safely and support themselves and their families.

Between 15 February and 14 May 2019, all public donations to the See the Way appeal will be doubled by the UK government. So every pound given will have double the impact! It could fund twice as many sight-saving surgeries, pairs of glasses or eye-health outreach activities in the world’s poorest places.

Match funding from the UK government will improve access to sight-saving eye-health services in Rwanda by:

  • improving access to sight-restoring cataract surgery and treatment for blinding conditions like glaucoma
  • reaching people at risk of blindness in remote areas, far from the nearest eye hospital, helping them access treatment before it is too late
  • ensuring people with low-vision can access glasses and support, so they can go to school, earn a living and be active in their communities
  • training local staff, equipping hospitals and strengthening eye health systems to ensure the maximum long-term and sustainable benefit.

Watch this short film about out See the Way appeal to find out more about how you can get involved (YouTube – open link in new tab).

Kirsty Smith, Chief Executive for CBM UK, said: “It’s shocking to think that men, women and children are losing their sight just because they are poor. For those living on the edge, the impact is devastating – whole families pushed deeper into extreme poverty. I’ve just returned from Rwanda, where I witnessed how far too many people are needlessly blind because treatment for straightforward conditions like cataracts is simply out of reach. This appeal will help change that, helping people with sight problems access the treatment and support they need. And thanks to the UK Aid Match scheme, every pound donated between now and 14th May will be doubled by the UK government! So a donation of £12 will become £24, enough to restore sight to someone who is blind because of cataracts.”

Penny Mordaunt, UK Secretary of State for International Development, said“Some of Rwanda’s most vulnerable people are still living with avoidable blindness and visual impairments. Too often it is these treatable illnesses that stop these people from accessing education and earning a living. By providing access to basic eye health services the UK Aid Match ‘See the Way’ appeal will change lives across Rwanda for generations and this is only possible with the generosity and support of the Great British public.”

Between 15 February and 14 May 2019, all public donations to the See the Way appeal will be doubled by the UK government, up to £2 million. So every pound given will have double the impact! It could fund twice as many sight-saving surgeries, pairs of glasses or eye-health outreach activities in the world’s poorest places. Public donations will help prevent blindness and transform lives wherever the need is greatest. Match funding from the UK government will improve access to sight-saving eye-health services in Rwanda.

Image: 2 year-old Theo has cataracts. When his mum realised her little boy struggled to see, she feared for his future. Without an operation to remove the cataracts clouding his eyes, he would become blind. But for families like theirs, poor farmers in Rwanda, East Africa, the cost of treatment is out of reach.

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