|
|||||
 |
|||||
 |
|
 |
|
Kitchener Physiotherapist Equipped for Challenges in Haiti
| cbm Canada Assessing Needs of Partner in Chilie
| Canmore Occupational Therapist Prepared for Challenges in Haiti
| Mississauga Physiotherapist Ready for Challenges in Haiti
| Early Monsoon Wreaks havoc in Sri Lanka
| Pakistanis IDPs in Desperate Need of Relief and Long Term Aid to Rebuild Homes and Livelihoods
| Sri Lanka War is Over - cbm's work is just beginning
| cbm's Work Begins With End of Civil War in Sri Lanka
| cbm Providing Medical Support for Displaced Pakistanis
| cbm Announces New Executive Director
| Bringing the Convention to Life”
| Emergency in Congo
| cbm Canada responds to emergency
| cbm Unveils New Sign and Logo in Celebration of 100 years
Friday, April 9, 2010 Kitchener, ON, April 9, 2010 - Shelley MacRae knows that saving lives in the wake of a major natural disaster is critical. But the 32-year-old physiotherapist also believes that it is equally essential for survivors who have disabilities to have ongoing medical care that will give their lives meaning and purpose. The Kitchener resident will use her clinical experience in neurological and spine disorders to serve cbm Canada, (formerly known as Christian Blind Mission) in Haiti over the next six months. More than 300,000 people have been injured from the January 12 earthquake. MacRae was drawn to cbm by “its excellent international reputation for rehabilitation of persons with a disability.” She will be working alongside six other cbm international physiotherapists and cbm’s partner Handicap International. “It’s a privilege to work with the Haitian community at a time when critical care needs are high. The potential has never been greater to implement rehabilitation services for persons living with disability,” she says. Influenced by the upbringing of her parents, MacRae has developed a deep interest and respect for travel as well as exposure to diverse cultures both within Canada and abroad. Shortly after obtaining her undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph, she observed firsthand the life-changing work of a non-governmental organization in Southeast Asia. This solidified her interest to pursue physiotherapy as a career and opened up the world of international rehabilitation. When she completed her Master’s of Science degree in Physical Therapy at Queen’s University, Kingston, MacRae entered a career focused on critical care and complex neurological disorders. Before the earthquake in Haiti, people with disabilities comprised 10 percent of its population. Since the January quake, that number has grown significantly - it’s estimated that at least 300,000 people have disabilities, of which 4,000 people have had amputations from crush injuries. MacRae was motivated to help the staggering surge of people left with traumatic brain and head injuries. “The experience of working with individuals to enhance their mobility and quality of life is both a personal and professional privilege,” says MacRae. She acknowledges that she was fortunate to be raised “in a stable and loving environment in Canada, with unlimited access to education.” “Everyone has an inherent right to compassion and dignity. This is fundamental to my life and guides my interest in working with the people of Haiti,” she adds. cbm has been working in Haiti since 1976, with development projects throughout the country, including five programs for those with disabilities in Port-au-Prince. cbm and Handicap International are working together in Haiti as joint leaders of the Injury, Rehabilitation and Disability Working Group within the UN Health Cluster, in coordination with the Haitian Secretariat of State for People with Disabilities. This working group coordinates all activity in Haiti regarding the rehabilitation of injured persons, the fitting of orthopedic devices and prostheses, and the provision of assistance to people with disabilities. 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 informatio, please browse our website. ****************************** Media contact: For more information, or to arrange an interview, contact:< br/> Sandy Hazell Wednesday, March 3, 2010 Wednesday, February 24, 2010 cbm Canada Canmore, AB, Feb. 24, 2010 - Heather Weaver was first exposed to true poverty when travelling in China with her family at the age of 18. “Watching a young mother feed her infant from a garbage can, I knew my life would be dedicated to poverty alleviation,” says Weaver who grew up in a Christian home. “My underlying motivation to work in emergency settings is motivated by the love and compassion of Christ.” The Canmore, Alberta resident adds, “I decided to work with cbm Canada because of their commitment to being a voice to people living with disabilities in Haiti.” Weaver leaves next week to serve as occupational therapist for cbm Canada, an international Christian humanitarian organization in Haiti over the next six months. “I have been blessed with opportunities to work with some of the most marginalized and vulnerable members of society, both in Canada and abroad,” says Weaver. “My motivation for going to Haiti is to support the country's efforts in both physical and psychosocial rehabilitation.” The 30-year-old studied occupational therapy at Queen's University, which included fieldwork experience in Bosnia-Herzegovina with the International Centre for the Advancement of Community Based Rehabilitation (ICACBR). She completed a CIDA internship in Sierra Leone with CAUSE Canada, working with women and girls who had war related injuries and disabilities. When she returned to Canada, Weaver managed the Health & Wellness Department at The Mustard Seed, an inner-city ministry in Calgary, Alberta. She provided occupational therapy to individuals living with mental illness and drug addictions. Most recently, Weaver completed a Master's of Public Health in Developing Countries at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. “In emergency settings, individuals with disabilities are often forgotten or ignored,” says Weaver whose passion is to “enable marginalized individuals to participate in their local and global communities.” The occupational therapist believes her training and experience has given her vital skills in providing physical and psychosocial rehabilitation in low-resource settings such as Haiti. Weaver will be the joining six cbm physiotherapists on the ground in Haiti, serving at different hospitals every day. cbm has been working in Haiti for over 30 years, with development projects throughout the country, including five programs for those with disabilities in Port-au-Prince. More than 300,000 people have been injured from the disaster. cbm, Handicap International and a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) are meeting with the Haitian Secretariat of State for Integration of Persons with Disabilities to begin drafting a National Plan on Disability. The plan will create a framework that will channel all efforts by NGOs working on disability. 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, www.cbmcanada.org. Editors note: Interviews and photos available on request. Media Contact: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 cbm Canada Mississauga, ON, Feb. 23, 2010 - Next week, Julie Hard will be leaving for a trip of a lifetime. But it’s not a vacation. For the next six months, she’ll be working as a physiotherapist for cbm Canada in Haiti, helping the most vulnerable people who have survived the earthquake. “People can rebuild their lives through rehabilitation. As a physiotherapist, I have a heart for helping people by making lasting improvements in the quality of their lives,” says 35-year-old Hard who has Masters of Science degree in Physiotherapy. Hard believes her clinical experience will give her a strong foundation for embracing the many clinical challenges that lie ahead. Over 300,000 people were injured in Haiti from the January 12th earthquake. Thousands have had their limbs amputated, leaving a generation of newly disabled people. “Professionally, I have worked in a variety of settings that have helped me to prepare for work in Haiti,” says Hard, whose experience includes caring for people with disabilities in underserved communities both at home and abroad. From 2003 to 2008, Hard provided rehabilitation support to individuals with disabilities in a rural community of Western Kenya through the International Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation during a challenging time of drought and post-election conflict. While in Kenya, Hard also provided training for people living with disabilities, as well as care givers who had complex neurological conditions, burns, wound infections and a multitude of injuries including amputation and traumatic injury. Hard will be taking a leave of absence from her current job at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, where she specializes in acute care medicine and also coordinates initiatives to support rehabilitation for people living with HIV. She is currently living at Matthew House which provides shelter, guidance and support for newly arrived refugees to Toronto. “I have a personal connection to the people of Haiti because of refugees I have met at Matthew House. It has reinforced the need for me to support our global community with my skills, training and experience,” says Hard. “As a Christ follower, I am called to serve,” she adds. “I am fortunate to be able to offer my skills to help in this rebuilding process and to bring hope for a future in Haiti.” Hard will be one of six cbm physiotherapists on the ground in Haiti, serving at different hospitals every day, treating about 30 patients per day. cbm has been working in Haiti since 1976, with development projects throughout the country, including five programs for those with disabilities in Port-au-Prince. More than 300,000 people have been injured from the disaster. cbm, Handicap International and a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) are meeting with the Haitian Secretariat of State for Integration of Persons with Disabilities to begin drafting a National Plan on Disability. The plan will create a framework that will channel all efforts by NGOs working on disability. 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, www.cbmcanada.org. Editors note: Interviews and photos available on request. Media Contact: Thursday, August 20, 2009 NEWS RELEASE Early Monsoon Wreaks Havoc in Sri LankaThousands of Homes and Food Supplies Destroyed Stouffville, ON, August 20, 2009 - Early inter-monsoon rains have wreaked havoc in northern Sri Lanka, affecting over 12,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Menik Farm, Vavuniya. Heavy rains together with poor drainage have caused latrines to overflow, flooding thousands of temporary shelters, communal cooking areas and ruining food supplies. Primary drinking sources have also been contaminated by sewage and mud clogging up the water filtration systems. cbm’s partner organization, which has been feeding 11,400 IDPs in zone three of Menik Farm, has been asked by the government to provide an additional 2,000 people with cooked meals three times a day. “In view of the dire needs of the people in the camps, cbm has agreed to provide additional food, however our budget is stretched to the limit,” says Ed Epp, Executive Director of cbm Canada. “cbm appeals to Canadians to respond to the emergency needs of these IDPs. Mothers, children, and people with disabilities are more vulnerable than ever to disease, malnutrition and resulting disability. The impact on these people is huge.” “cbm’s partners have been very concerned about this impending disaster for quite some time,” says Epp who recently returned from visiting cbm’s partners and projects in Sri Lanka. The inter-monsoon showers are a mild indication of what is to come when the northeast monsoon rains come in September – which can last up to three months, with threat of high velocity winds and even cyclonic activity on the Eastern coast that creates additional heavy weather. More than 280,000 people have been crowded into camps with tents and temporary shelters since the government defeated the Tamil Tigers in northern Sri Lanka since the end of the civil war in mid May 2009. With the generosity of Canadians, cbm continues to meet the ongoing needs of thousands of IDPS with disabilities, who require food supplements, shelter and medical care for Sri Lanka’s most vulnerable people. cbm focuses on helping people with disabilities in the poorest countries of the world. Now in its 101st year, cbm has 1,000 projects in 100 developing countries. Last year, cbm helped over 16 million people worldwide. To help with the emergency funding in Sri Lanka, DONATE NOW or call 1-800-567-2264. ### For more information, or to arrange an interview, contact: Sandy Hazell cbm Canada Media/PR Dept. 1-800-567-2264 ext 246 416-302-3166 (cell) shazell@cbmcanada.org www.cbmcanada.org Top Thursday, August 20, 2009 Pakistanis IDPs in Desperate Need of Relief and Long Term Aid to Rebuild Homes and LivelihoodsJuly 14, 2009 – Two million refugees
from Pakistan’s SWAT valley have been told by the government that are
now allowed to return to their homes. Sandy Hazell cbm Canada Media/PR Dept. 1-800-567-2264 ext 246 416-302-3166 (cell) shazell@cbmcanada.org www.cbmcanada.org Top Monday, August 17, 2009
Sri Lanka War is Over - cbm's work is just beginningcbm's Executive Director visits Projects in Sri Lanka
Blinded by congenital cataracts, his parents and siblings killed in the civil war, the only family member this little child had left was his elderly grandmother. “The war may be over, but the real work of relief and development is just beginning,” says Epp. “cbm is very concerned for people with disabilities, particularly children. The humanitarian needs are great and they are increasing.” Epp visited cbm’s partners and projects in Sri Lanka to assess the immediate emergency needs and to review the long term needs of internally displaced people (IDPs). Vavunya Hospital is the only hospital in northern Sri Lanka serving the 300,000 (IDPs). There is no orthopaedic surgeon and very few orthopaedic supplies at Vavunya Hospital. Before the civil war, two percent of the population were disabled; now up to 10% of IDPs are either disabled or injured; of these 20% are amputees of all ages. “There is a pressing need for orthopaedic surgery services,” says Epp. cbm has been assisting people with disabilities in Sri Lanka for the last 30 years, along with partner organizations in the country. After the 2004 tsunami, cbm helped rebuild lives with new homes, provided food, clothing and psycho-social counselling for people traumatized by the war. Now that the civil war is over, cbm has stepped up with a bold three fold plan that is already underway.
cbm is also providing supplementary nutritional feeding for 15,000 people and medication for families with disabilities. Over half of the women in the IDP camps, many of whom are lactating mothers, and one third of children are malnourished. Authorities are concerned the impending monsoon season could be another blow for IDPs living in temporary shelters. Most 10 foot by 15 foot tents house 10-15 people. Not only will the mud and lack of space spell adversity, diseases such as malaria will be a great medical concern. “Families have lost loved ones and their homes, many have sustained life altering injuries,” says Epp. “Just because there isn’t any media attention doesn’t mean the needs have stopped. It’s cbm’s role to stay with these people to try and maintain a quality of life, to restore their homes and livelihood.” While visiting Vavunya Hospital, Epp oversaw the opening of an eye unit, which featured a new eye refractor unit funded by cbm. The unit will greatly reduce the time that people have to wait for eye exams from nine months to two months.
“But what will the grandmother and baby need to live normal healthy lives?” asks Epp. “cbm will be there for them. That’s the kind of program we want to set up. To give them a home, a livelihood, so the child can have an education, a future. And, if needed, trauma counseling. cbm is there for the long run.” Epp was impressed by the concern the staff of the Ministry of Health and cbm partners have for the health and welfare of the IDPs. For example, while cbm is raising funds to provide 200 shelters for people with disabilities, to date funds have been raised for only 100. “It reminds me of Jesus’ parable of the shepherd with the 99 sheep,” says Epp. “He wasn’t content until he found the 100th sheep. cbm partners are so dedicated, they sacrificed their own salaries and time to build one more shelter. We now have 101 shelters for families who have a disability.” cbm needs the continued support of compassionate Canadians to continue its work in Sri Lanka. To learn more about how you can help, donate now or phone 1-800-567-2264. cbm is an international Christian development organization that focuses on helping people with disabilities in the poorest countries of the world. Now in its 100th year, cbm has 1,000 projects in 100 developing countries. For more information, or to arrange an interview, contact:Sandy Hazell cbm Canada Media/PR Dept. 1-800-567-2264 ext 246 416-302-3166 (cell) shazell@cbmcanada.org www.cbmcanada.org Top Monday, May 25, 2009 cbm's Work Begins With End of Civil War in Sri Lanka Families have been ripped apart. Limbs have been amputated by land mines and shelling. Buildings have been flattened. Thousands of people are sick, severely injured, traumatized and hungry. There is no adequate housing, no proper sanitation facilities and a lack of clean water. The magnitude of the needs of 280,000 internally displaced people (IDP) in Sri Lanka is beyond the capacity of agencies currently at ground zero. Crammed into overcrowded camps, suffering from acute malnutrition and dehydration, how do these people begin to put their lives together… how can they even survive today? "The three decade civil war in Sri Lanka may finally be over, but cbm's humanitarian work has just begun,” says Ed Epp, Executive Director of cbm Canada. “We are particularly concerned for displaced persons who have injuries that require urgent medical care.” Through a trusted national partner, cbm is in Sri Lanka, providing food, water, sanitation and medical care for the 100,000 civilians who fled the war zone in the final days of conflict.
While international relief organizations have severely limited access to the North and to IDP camps, cbm has been working in Sri Lanka for 33 years, networking and building trust with other partners on the ground. Now, cbm joins hands with a Sri Lankan partner who is already in the camps. Our partner has a credible track record and has been audited by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Valerie Scherrer, cbm’s emergency coordinator, recently visited Sri Lanka to assess the current situation and support cbm partners in the country. “cbm is concerned for all civilians in the affected area, particularly those with existing or new disabilities as a result of the conflict,” says Scherrer. “Since January, unofficial UN estimates suggest that a total of 16,000 of those injured have sought medical help. This population is subject to a high risk of new disability because of a lack of proper facilities and the limited availability of essential medical services.” cbm supports three partner projects in the North/East of Sri Lanka: Karuna Nilayam Girls’ Home, ASHRAM for Human Self Reliance and Meditation, and Deaflink. Karuna Nilayam, a residential school for children with intellectual disabilities relocated to a safe location during the conflict. A cbm Partner project reported: “The conditions in the camps are very difficult. They are surrounded by barbed wire and movements in and out are restricted. The displaced are very distressed and traumatized as during the past three months they lived under threat of bombing. Many of them have either lost relatives or have no idea what has happened to their loved ones. ” The mass arrival of displaced persons has overwhelmed the already overtaxed support systems and facilities putting more strain on relief workers and making life even more unbearable for those unfortunate thousands living in the camps. “cbm will continue working with its partners and other organizations to meet immediate life-saving needs,” says Epp. “We then plan to proceed with mid and long-term strategies to address the ongoing needs of persons with disabilities. It is our priority to ensure their needs are met.” cbm’s 3 phase plan of action includes: Phase I – Save lives by feeding 100,000 camp residents 3 meals per day, provide sanitation and hygiene kits, provide two family tent shelters. Phase II – Prevent disability - orthopaedic surgeons begin to provide care to the huge numbers of casualties; deliver psycho-social counseling for people with amputations and others traumatized by the war; organize initiatives to locate missing family members with disabilities. Phase III – Rebuild lives - give families portable “sack gardens”; provide ongoing physiotherapy, occupational therapy and vocational training and support for conflict survivors. For more information, or to arrange an interview, contact: Friday, May 22, 2009 cbm Providing Medical Support for Displaced Pakistanis"In Pakistan, people with disabilities are the most vulnerable,” says Ed Epp, Executive Director of cbm (formerly known as Christian Blind Mission) Canada. “Many times they can’t make it to the emergency centers, or flee fighting close to their homes. It is cbm’s role to work with our partners to provide these vulnerable persons with hope and care. More than 1.4 million people are now displaced by the fighting between the Government of Pakistan (GOP) and militant groups in the Federally-administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Swat District in Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province. cbm, together with its partner agency CHEF (Comprehensive Health & Education Forum) International, is responding to the emergency medical needs of displaced persons in Pakistan, especially those with disabilities whose needs are critical. While United Nations Humanitarian Chief John Holmes says the U.N. will soon launch an emergency appeal for hundreds of millions of dollars to help the displaced over the next year, Human Rights Watch and cbm are currently concerned that civilians trapped in the Swat Valley are being used as human shields. A major challenge for aid agencies is to provide food, housing, sanitation, water supply and medical care to these internally displaced persons (IDPs) who now reside in temporary camps in the North-West areas of the country. Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Kohat, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Charsadda, Swat, and Swabi districts are all affected. cbm’s strategic partner CHEF International’s objective in Pakistan is to provide emergency healthcare services to IDPs. They will focus primarily on the needs of persons with disabilities, through screening, identification, awareness-raising and networking with other service providers. Their aim is to identify and assist at least 5,000 persons with disabilities. cbm has committed to fund CHEF to meet this objective through specific services such as including outpatient services for children, women and the elderly, medicines, first aid, psychosocial counselling and referral, as well as facilitating access to services for persons with disabilities. cbm Canada will provide financial support for medical services and ongoing rehabilitation for those with disabilities, to meet both short term and long term needs. CHEF is experienced in the implementation of emergency projects in cooperation with other international and national organizations including the UN High Commission for Refugees, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the World Health Organization. cbm is a leading international Christian development organization committed to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities in the poorest countries of the world. The organization provides medical support to 16 million people annually, supporting over 1,000 life-changing projects, serving those with disabilities in more than 100 developing countries. To help those who are displaced or trapped in the region, the public can contact cbm at 1-800-567-2264 or visit www.cbmcanada.org. cbm Canada – Together we can do more! For more information, or to arrange an interview, contact: Friday, May 1, 2009 cbm Announces New Executive Director The Board of Directors of cbm Canada (formerly known as Christian Blind Mission) is pleased to announce the appointment of Edwin “Ed” Epp to the position of Executive Director, effective today (Friday, May 1). Epp succeeds Dave McComiskey, who has served as cbm’s Executive Director since 1999. McComiskey will assume a new position within the organization, as Regional Director of cbm’s Southern Africa Regional Office, in Capetown, South Africa. Prior to McComiskey’s departure for South Africa in mid-June, he plans to work closely with Epp to ensure a smooth transition of leadership. “We are very pleased that Ed has accepted this important position for cbm,” says Marion Mills, Chair of cbm Canada’s Board of Directors. “Ed is a strong leader with extensive experience in the international development community and a passion for making a difference in the lives of the world’s most vulnerable people.” Epp was the unanimous choice of cbm Canada’s Board. “I am honoured and energized to serve as Executive Director for cbm Canada; to advocate on behalf of those with disabilities, especially the poorest of the poor,” says Epp. “Through cbm’s life-changing work, we can break the cycle of poverty and disability. This is clearly a critical human rights issue.” Born in what is currently the Democratic Republic of Congo, Epp has served for more than 23 years in the international development community both at the field and leadership level. “cbm Canada’s Board extends its deepest gratitude to Dave McComiskey for his 24 years of distinguished service at cbm’s Canadian headquarters in Stouffville, Ontario, and we wish him the best in his new role in South Africa,” says Mills. In his new capacity, McComiskey will direct development projects in 10 countries in the Southern Africa region, including Angola and Zimbabwe. For more information, see www.cbmcanada.org. For more information, or to arrange an interview, contact: Friday, November 28, 2008 MEDIA ADVISORY North Park Community Church London, ON N5X 4A3 When: Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 8:30 to 3 p.m. Canada was one of the countries that signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities this past May. How does this affect the residents of London, Ontario – particularly those with disabilities?
For further information, please contact: Public Relations Dept.,cbm Canada Toll Free: 1-800-567-2264 or (905) 640-6464 Top Saturday, October 18, 2008 PRESS RELEASE cbm Media Sick and Starving Children in the Congo Need Your Help
For further information, please contact: Friday, September 5, 2008 Press Release 2008-09-05 Flooding leaves up to 3 Million people homeless in India and Nepal cbm's International Emergency Response Team has mobilized a disaster management group to respond to the tragedy in India and Nepal. Extreme flooding has caused nearly three million people in India and Nepal to flee their homes. . “It’s almost impossible to imagine the heartache and loss experienced by these people over the past few weeks,” says Dave McComiskey, Executive Director, cbm Canada.
cbm is asking Canadians to help the people suffering in India and Nepal by phoning Toll-free: 1-800-567-2264 or (905) 640-6464, online donations at www.cbmcanada.org For further information, please contact: Public Relations Dept., cbm Canada Toll Free: 1-800-567-2264 or (905) 640-6464 Top Wednesday, January 9, 2008 In celebration of its 100th worldwide anniversary, Hon. Lui Temelkovski, MP for Oak-Ridges Markham helped unveil a new sign and logo at cbm’s Canadian headquarters in Stouffville: cbm together we can do more. Formerly known as Christian Blind Mission International, cbm Canada hosted a well-attended kick-off luncheon with invited guests and media. “As cbm approached our 100th anniversary, we as a worldwide family looked at where we had been and what lessons we had learned. Where could we have the most impact?” said Dave McComiskey, Executive Director of cbm Canada. Every year, cbm helps over 18 million people, restoring sight to over 600,000 people, and is active in over 100 countries with over 1,000 ongoing local projects. “As we studied the world around us, we soon saw that what we were doing was only a proverbial drop in the bucket…half a billion people are still living in dire poverty caused in large part due to their disability,” said McComiskey. Solidly committed to helping all people trapped in poverty by disability, cbm’s new image reflects its new vision of a common global identity with its 10 member associations, demonstrating that its mandate is more than blindness. “Most importantly our plan calls for us to be advocates for the people we serve. To invite governments, world institutions, and other organizations concerned about poverty and millennium development goals to include the 10 to 20% of the population they’re now neglecting – people with disabilities - into their plans. Our goal is to let the world know that we’ll never make poverty history unless the issue of disability and poverty is part of every development effort,” says McComiskey. cbm’s new tagline, together we can do more - is an acknowledgement that 500 million people are struggling to survive poverty and disability. And because they are being denied basic human rights, people are dying. “We want to double our income and our impact over the next 5 years,” says McComiskey. “…with the need of ½ a billion people with disabilities in front of us –we are committed with all our being to making increased income a reality.” cbm has a new vision and new image, but maintains its values remain unchanged. “We remain a solidly Christian organization. We will not compromise our faith in God,” says McComiskey. “Together with God, together with you, together with our partners, together with the people we serve…we can change the lives of millions of people trapped in the cruellest situations of life,” he added. cbm appreciates the congratulatory letters of the Right Hon. Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Hon. Lui Temelkovski, MP for Oak Ridges-Markham, Premier Dalton McGuinty and Dr. Helena Jaszek, MPP for Oak Ridges-Markham. For further information, please contact: |
|
Working
out of a local social security hospital in Takhbai, CHEF has helped
over 1,200 people this past month alone, the majority of them women.
The organization has focused primarily on the needs of persons with
disabilities, through screening, identification, awareness-raising and
networking with other service providers.
One
month later, as Rashna was under treatment in the hospital, the
conflict between Taliban and the Army worsened. Because Rashna’s face,
chest and stomach were so badly burnt, she could not even walk. Her
husband had to carry her and leave all their belongings behind. 
Through its trusted partners on the ground and with the financial support of Canadian supporters, cbm
is funding 200 shelters, 40 accessible latrines, two kitchens, and a
common hall that is used as a temporary school for children and
rehabilitation activities.
Epp was assured that the little boy who had congenital cataracts will have his sight fully restored. 
Fifty percent are children, and almost 1/3 of the population either pregnant women or lactating mothers. More than 16,000 suffer wounds inflicted by land mines or shelling.© Copyright 2004. Christian Blind Mission International. All rights reserved. Privacy & Security.