CBM’s History in a Nutshell
From the Beginnings Until Today
A German pastor laid the foundations to the worldwide organisation of today. CBM Christian Blind Mission has developed largely within the last century. Starting from a charity perspective, CBM has grown into a professional organisation for people with disabilities.
1908
Pastor Ernst J. Christoffel travels to Malatia/Turkey and builds a home for blind and otherwise impaired people and orphans.
1925
Christoffel opens another home for the blind and otherwise disabled people in Taebris/Iran.
1928
A home for the blind
is set up in the Iranian city Isfahan.
1955
Death of Pastor Christoffel in Isfahan/Iran, at the age of 78.
1956
"Christian Mission to the Blind" changes its name to "Christoffel Blindenmission", in honour of the founder.
1961
Pastor Siegfried Wiesinger (1930-1989) becomes CBM’s director.
1966
The first cataract operation supported by CBM is performed in a hospital in Kabul/Afghanistan.
1967
Start of projects in Ethiopia, Tanzania and India. Until today, these are focus countries of CBM’s overseas work.
1968
CBM’s headquarters are established in Bensheim, Germany.
1972
Programmes in South America start with a CBM-supported project in Peru.
1986
The millionth cataract operation is performed in a project supported by CBM.
1989
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognises CBM as a professional organization.
1997
Three million cataract operations are performed by CBM-supported projects.
1999
CBM together with other nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and WHO, initiates "VISION 2020: The Right to Sight", a global initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness by the year 2020.
2000
More than four million cataract operations are performed–due to VISION 2020 and the development of more prevention-of-blindness programmes.
2002
The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations awards CBM with advisory status. The assembly of CBM member countries decides to establish a new association for overseas work that assumes responsibility for the overseas work of CBM on behalf of all member countries.
2003
The fifth millionth cataract operation is made possible by CBM.
The first international lobbying initiative starts with a permanent office in Brussels for lobbying European Union institutions and parliament.
Pope John Paul II welcomes a CBMI delegation and blesses the efforts made in the fight against blindness.
WWHearing campaign is established.
Go back to: CBM-Decades of Experience
Read more: Ernst J. Christoffel - "Father of the Blind, Deaf-Mute and Orphans"
1908
Pastor Ernst J. Christoffel travels to Malatia/Turkey and builds a home for blind and otherwise impaired people and orphans.
1925
Christoffel opens another home for the blind and otherwise disabled people in Taebris/Iran.
1928
A home for the blind
is set up in the Iranian city Isfahan.
1955
Death of Pastor Christoffel in Isfahan/Iran, at the age of 78.
1956
"Christian Mission to the Blind" changes its name to "Christoffel Blindenmission", in honour of the founder.
1961
Pastor Siegfried Wiesinger (1930-1989) becomes CBM’s director.
1966
The first cataract operation supported by CBM is performed in a hospital in Kabul/Afghanistan.
1967
Start of projects in Ethiopia, Tanzania and India. Until today, these are focus countries of CBM’s overseas work.
1968
CBM’s headquarters are established in Bensheim, Germany.
1972
Programmes in South America start with a CBM-supported project in Peru.
1986
The millionth cataract operation is performed in a project supported by CBM.
1989
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognises CBM as a professional organization.
1997
Three million cataract operations are performed by CBM-supported projects.
1999
CBM together with other nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and WHO, initiates "VISION 2020: The Right to Sight", a global initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness by the year 2020.
2000
More than four million cataract operations are performed–due to VISION 2020 and the development of more prevention-of-blindness programmes.
2002
The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations awards CBM with advisory status. The assembly of CBM member countries decides to establish a new association for overseas work that assumes responsibility for the overseas work of CBM on behalf of all member countries.
2003
The fifth millionth cataract operation is made possible by CBM.
The first international lobbying initiative starts with a permanent office in Brussels for lobbying European Union institutions and parliament.
Pope John Paul II welcomes a CBMI delegation and blesses the efforts made in the fight against blindness.
WWHearing campaign is established.
Go back to: CBM-Decades of Experience
Read more: Ernst J. Christoffel - "Father of the Blind, Deaf-Mute and Orphans"
