Archbishop Tutu joins with CBMI for ‘100,000 Miracles’ campaign

Archbishop Desmond Tutu launched the Christian Blind Mission International’s campaign for 100,000 cataract procedures in 100 days.

ByKatrina Altersitz

Archbishop Desmond Tutu helped Christian Blind Mission International launch its latest campaign, “100,000 Miracles,” with the aim of performing 100,000 cataract procedures in 100 days.

Alan Harkey, president of Christian Blind Mission International (CBMI) USA spoke with Ocular Surgery News about the cooperation between Archbishop Tutu and the campaign.

Mr. Harkey said of Archbishop Tutu, “When we announced our intention to raise enough funds to do 100,000 cataracts in 100 days, he volunteered to help spread the news regarding that effort and to ask people worldwide to make that possible.”

That mission and the cooperation began on August 8, as Archbishop Tutu helped launch the 100,000 Miracles campaign.

CBMI’s mission

Mr. Harkey explained that CBMI is currently on a mission to complete its 100,000 Miracles campaign, but that its main undertaking has been going on much longer than that.

“CBMI is the world’s oldest and largest organization meeting the needs of blind and disabled people,” Mr. Harkey said. “Started in 1908, it has now spread to 113 countries throughout the developing world, supporting over 1,000 permanent projects. Last year, CBMI and its partners cared for over 12 million of the poorest of the poor.”

He went on to explain that, on average, a cataract surgery in one of these 113 countries costs about US$35 with an IOL. It is a price that some can afford and others cannot, he said.

“That never stops us from providing care for people who need the surgery,” Mr. Harkey said. “There have been many times when our doctors have been paid with chickens, but it’s good for people to pay what they can because it underscores their sense of worth and pride.”

Archbishop Tutu’s involvement

Archbishop Tutu was aware of CBMI and its work throughout the world, including South Africa, Mr. Harkey said. Through religious contacts, the organization came into contact with the archbishop.

In particular, Archbishop Tutu was impressed by the fact that CBMI surgeons performed 600,000 cataract surgeries last year, Mr. Harkey said. Upon hearing about this latest mission, Archbishop Tutu offered his assistance.

“There are approximately 17 to 18 million people in the developing world who are blind due to cataracts. Coupled with poverty, these people automatically are sent to the back of the line when it comes to basic human rights,” Mr. Harkey said. “Of course, Desmond Tutu is world renowned for his leadership in bringing a higher level of human rights to people who have for so long been disenfranchised and forgotten.”

At a press conference at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, Archbishop Tutu said, “We can really do something to change the world. Giving sight is not just a physical thing; you can give back someone’s dignity.”

Mr. Harkey added, “When you restore the sight of a person living in a poor country, that person can provide for their families and for themselves, and they are no longer dependent on others. Thus, it makes not only a profound personal difference for the patient but impacts the community and ultimately the nation itself.”

Dr. Allen Foster, president of Christian Blind Mission International, breaks a Fulani stick with the help of Archbishop Desmond Tutu to symbolize breaking the cycle of blindness through launching CBMI’s 100,000 Miracles in 100 Days campaign.

Image: Christian Blind Mission International

Getting involved

Archbishop Tutu also made a call to ophthalmologists throughout the world to put their actions behind this mission.

“With the world’s help we can make a difference in 100,000 lives,” Archbishop Tutu said. “How about the world getting behind the 100,000 Miracles and making it happen?”

Mr. Harkey explained that the most important distinction of CBMI is that the organization “deliberately invests” in the training of local ophthalmologists so that they can continue the mission.

“We are in constant need of talented ophthalmologists who have come to a point in their career where they would like to invest their skills into others in poor countries who themselves will one day become trainers, thus exponentially attacking the problem of blindness worldwide,” Mr. Harkey said.

He recommended that ophthalmologists interested in participating in CBMI’s missions visit the organization’s Web site.

“In a world where we are literally surrounded by problems that have no solutions, it is encouraging and refreshing to have the opportunity to restore the sight of some 17 million people, people who could see tomorrow if they could only receive a 15 minute cataract surgery costing approximately US$35,” Mr. Harkey said.

For more information:

Alan Harkey, president of CBMI USA, can be reached at Christian Blind Mission International, 450 E. Park Ave., Greenville, SC 29601 U.S.A.; +1-864-239-0065; fax: +1-864-239-0069.

Larae Harvey serves as a contact for ophthalmologists interested in joining with CBMI. She can be reached at Christian Blind Mission International, 450 E. Park Ave., Greenville, SC 29601 U.S.A.; +1-864-239-0065; fax: +1-864-239-0069; e-mail: lharvey@cbmiusa.org; Web site: www.cbmiusa.org.

Katrina Altersitz is an OSN Staff Writer who covers all aspects of ophthalmology.