Help inspire a wave of generosity this Christmas

Your generosity can help another child see clearly again

One of the children whose life has been transformed by the kindness of supporters like you is six-year-old Camille in Zimbabwe.

She was a bright, curious little girl who loved to learn. In fact, Camille learned so quickly that her teacher prepared extra work just to keep her challenged. At the end of the year, she proudly received two special awards – one for being the top student in her class and another for her outstanding language skills.

Her future looked wonderfully bright.

Then her world began to grow dim

After what seemed like a minor accident while playing with friends, Camille began losing the sight in one eye.

Soon, bright light caused terrible pain.

At home, she asked her mother, Chido, to close the curtains. At school, her teacher moved her desk away from the sunlight. And when her friends ran outside to play, Camille would shield her eye with her little hand.

The child who had once embraced every school day was beginning to withdraw from the bright world around her.

Imagine how frightening that must have been for her. And imagine how Chido must have felt watching her bright, happy little girl struggle with something she could not make better.

Doctors discovered that Camille had developed a cataract. Her sight could be restored through specialist surgery. But as a sweets vendor, Chido could never afford the specialised care her daughter urgently needed.

No parent should have to watch their child’s future disappear simply because they cannot afford life-changing treatment.

Thankfully, compassionate people like you made another future possible.

Through a cbm-partnered eye hospital, Camille was able to receive the specialised cataract surgery she urgently needed.

The following morning came the moment they had both been praying for. As the protective shield was gently removed, Camille hesitated.

For months, she had learned to fear the light. She expected the familiar sharp pain and flinched as she opened her eye.

But the pain never came.

Instead, Camille blinked. She could see.

And when she returned to the home where she and her mother were staying, one of the first things this bright little girl wanted to do was pick up her schoolbook.

She turned the pages and traced the letters and pictures with her finger.

She could see them clearly again.

Today, Camille is back where she belongs – at school, learning, laughing, and playing with her friends. Her future is bright once again.

But there are still so many children and adults waiting for the gift of restored sight.

Cataracts can take away far more than vision. For a child, sight loss can take away education and opportunity. For a parent, it can mean losing the ability to work and provide for their family. For an older person, it can take away independence and the joy of seeing the faces of those they love.

Yet cataracts are one of the world’s most treatable causes of blindness.

Because of your generosity, we will be able to tell thousands of supporters that every Christmas gift will be doubled.

A supporter who might have given $50 may be encouraged to give, knowing their $50 enables $100 worth of impact. Someone considering a gift of $100 can know it will become $200.

Together, that generosity can help provide sight-restoring cataract surgery through cbm’s trusted local partners for children and adults who could otherwise miss out on treatment.

But right now, the Christmas Miracle Matching Fund does not exist. Before we can promise other cbm supporters that their Christmas gifts will be doubled, generous Growth Givers like you must first make that possible.

That is why we need your help today.

Please prayerfully consider making a special Growth Giver gift by 16 October. Your generosity will help establish the Fund and encourage others to open their hearts this Christmas.