Q: Do you present the Gospel to those you help medically?

A: The short answer is "yes”.  The longer answer is that CBMI’s specific mandate and mission is to demonstrate God’s love through medical and rehabilitative care. Wherever possible, we partner with local Christian churches or mission groups whose primary mandate is to spread the Gospel in word.

The expatriate and national co-workers that we recruit and employ are motivated by their love for Christ and His love for even the most marginalized and forgotten person in the world. They are a living, breathing testament to Christ's love in action.

Q: Does CBMI serve people who are not Christians?

A: Absolutely.  We wouldn't be a "Christian" organization if we didn't. We serve blind, disabled and at-risk people throughout the developing world, regardless of race, gender, age or religion.

Q: Does CBMI use volunteers, to keep its overhead costs down?

A: Yes.  Volunteers are essential to CBMI's operations, both at home and abroad.  Please click Opportunities to see how you can contribute!

Q: What percentage of my donation actually reaches the field?

A: CBMI Canada is proud to report that 87% of every dollar goes to service delivery and ministry. 14% of this is spent on ministries here at home – for example our Talking Book Library, which provides Christian literature on cassette tape for legally blind and print-disabled Canadians, from coast to coast. 73% goes directly overseas. To see our annual report click here.

Q: Do you get government funding?

A: Yes, a relatively small percentage of our income is given by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). In 2003, we received about $380,000 in government grants. We regularly submit new proposals to CIDA and report back on any currently co-funded projects. We believe we can expand this program in the years to come.

Q: Do you engage in emergency/hunger relief?

A: In keeping with our Vision and Mission, CBMI has focused our energies and expertise on long- term development, rather than emergency relief. We believe that the best way to help blind and disabled people and people who are sick and at risk of disability, is to develop knowledge and capacity in local medical and health personnel. In order to do this, we need to set up long-term, sustainable programs and facilities.

However, when conflict, famine or natural catastrophe directly threatens an area where we have established projects, we will generate and mobilize emergency resources to provide whatever help we can to suffering people, through our local partners.