From the Beginning until Today
The serious commitment of one pastor laid the foundation for an organisation that is today one of the leading international development organisations for persons with disabilities worldwide.
Over time, CBM’s policy has widened from serving blind people to giving all persons with disabilities access to basic healthcare services. There are 600 million persons with disabilities in the world. Most of them live in developing countries. About 2,5% of these people—meaning a target population of 10 million—are covered by CBM’s programmes. Still, many people need assistance; therefore, there is a long way to go.
Over time, CBM’s policy has widened from serving blind people to giving all persons with disabilities access to basic healthcare services. There are 600 million persons with disabilities in the world. Most of them live in developing countries. About 2,5% of these people—meaning a target population of 10 million—are covered by CBM’s programmes. Still, many people need assistance; therefore, there is a long way to go.
1908
Founded by Ernst Jakob Christoffel who builds a home for blind and other people with disabilities and orphans in Turkey.
1925
Christoffel opens another home for persons with disabilities in Iran.
1966
First CBM-supported cataract operation is performed in a hospital in Kabul/Afghanistan.
1967
Start of projects in Ethiopia, Tanzania and India; CBM remains highly active in these countries to this day.
1972
Programmes in South America start with a CBM-supported project in Peru.
1989
WHO recognises CBM as a professional organisation.
1999
Together with other NGOs and WHO CBM, initiates "VISION 2020: The Right to Sight", a global initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness by the year 2020.
2002
CBM receives advisory status for the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
2003
First international lobbying initiative starts with a permanent office in Brussels .
2003
Together with other NGOs and WHO CBM, initiates "WWHearing", a global initiative for promoting better hearing through provision of affordable and appropriate hearing aids and services.
2004
The leadership of CBM reviews our global strategy and sets the framework that defines the direction of the organization in the next century.
2007
November 27 marks the start of centennial celebration together and with partner organisations, donors, supporters and friends by the CBM Family.
2008
As CBM celebrates 100 years of commitment and expertise, we fully embrace our mandate as a development organisation. We are dedicated to improve the quality of life of the world’s poorest persons with disabilities and those at risk of disability who live in the most disadvantaged societies and we aim to reach many more people in years to come. We will do this by building on our current successes, strengthening our partnerships and learning from the people we work with.
Founded by Ernst Jakob Christoffel who builds a home for blind and other people with disabilities and orphans in Turkey.
1925
Christoffel opens another home for persons with disabilities in Iran.
1966
First CBM-supported cataract operation is performed in a hospital in Kabul/Afghanistan.
1967
Start of projects in Ethiopia, Tanzania and India; CBM remains highly active in these countries to this day.
1972
Programmes in South America start with a CBM-supported project in Peru.
1989
WHO recognises CBM as a professional organisation.
1999
Together with other NGOs and WHO CBM, initiates "VISION 2020: The Right to Sight", a global initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness by the year 2020.
2002
CBM receives advisory status for the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
2003
First international lobbying initiative starts with a permanent office in Brussels .
2003
Together with other NGOs and WHO CBM, initiates "WWHearing", a global initiative for promoting better hearing through provision of affordable and appropriate hearing aids and services.
2004
The leadership of CBM reviews our global strategy and sets the framework that defines the direction of the organization in the next century.
2007
November 27 marks the start of centennial celebration together and with partner organisations, donors, supporters and friends by the CBM Family.
2008
As CBM celebrates 100 years of commitment and expertise, we fully embrace our mandate as a development organisation. We are dedicated to improve the quality of life of the world’s poorest persons with disabilities and those at risk of disability who live in the most disadvantaged societies and we aim to reach many more people in years to come. We will do this by building on our current successes, strengthening our partnerships and learning from the people we work with.
