help setara
see her family
Right now, women like Setara are losing their sight, and their independence, to a condition that takes just 30 minutes to treat. You can change that.
THE MOMENT SHE SAW SUNLIGHT AGAIN
"I felt like I was no longer able to help my family."
As her sight faded, Setara became isolated. She could no longer visit friends or family. The confidence that had carried her through sixty years of life quietly disappeared.
Her family did everything they could, but treatment was beyond what they could afford. Without help, Setara faced a future in the dark — dependent, cut off from the world, and separated from the life she had built.
"I could no longer recognise people."
For Setara, the change came slowly. First, faces began to blur. Then reading became impossible. Then the tasks she had always done — cooking, cleaning, sewing quilts to earn a little extra for her family — became too difficult to manage alone.
"I could no longer read or move around with confidence," she says. For a woman who had always been the centre of family life, the darkness was about far more than sight.
"The first thing I saw was the sunlight."
For three years, Setara's world had been growing darker. The 60-year-old mother of six from Charkawa, Bangladesh, had always been at the heart of her home — cooking, sewing, caring for those she loved. Cataracts had taken all of that from her.
Then, in less than 30 minutes, everything changed. A CBM-supported surgeon removed the cataracts, and Setara opened her eyes to light. "It felt wonderful," she says. "It felt as though I had regained my life."
"By God's grace, I can see everything now."
Then Setara's family heard about a CBM-supported clinic offering cataract treatment close to home. The surgery took less than 30 minutes.
Today, Setara cooks, cleans, and sews again. She sees the faces of her grandchildren. She sees sunlight through the window of her home. "I can take care of my family, again," she says, smiling. Your gift makes this possible. Right now, thousands of people like Setara are waiting.
Our Partners
& Supporters
50 thousand eye screenings in Madagascar Alone
(With YOur Help We Can Reach The Rest)
4.4 million people impacted worldwide (and counting)
give monthly.
change lives daily.
Monthly support means we can act faster, reach further, and restore sight before it’s too late.
IT ALLOWS US TO:
Plan sight-saving surgeries in advance.
Reach children earlier, when treatment works best.
Fund programs that provide on going care.
Give monthly today, and make life-changing impact, every single month.
How to Give
CBM has more than 100 years of global experience—and CBM Ireland has been part of that journey since 2002. Over the past two decades, we’ve reached hundreds of thousands of individuals with sight-saving care, inclusive education, and support for lasting change.
CBM Ireland, 176 Ivy Exchange,
Granby Place, Dublin 1
Give Monthly. Change Lives Daily.
Monthly donations make long-term impact possible. You’ll help us plan surgeries, reach remote communities, and respond quickly to urgent cases.
Start your monthly gift today and bring hope every single month.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is my donation used?
Your gift helps fund essential services like cataract surgery, transport to hospital, and post-operative care. It directly supports people in poverty experiencing avoidable blindness.
Can I donate monthly instead of a one-time gift?
Absolutely. Monthly giving helps us plan ahead and respond more quickly to urgent needs—reaching people like Juliana before it’s too late.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes. If you donate €250 or more in a year and complete a CHY3 form, CBM can claim tax back—making your gift go even further at no extra cost to you.
How much of my donation goes to the people who need it?
We work hard to ensure that your donation is used effectively. At least 85% of funds go directly to programme activities, with the remainder supporting essential operations and fundraising.
Can I choose where my donation goes?
Donations to this appeal will go towards our sight-saving work, including cataract surgeries in areas like rural Kenya. If you'd like to support a specific area of work, get in touch and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
How much does a cataract surgery cost?
On average, €150 can fund sight-saving surgery for one person. Even smaller gifts can help cover transport, follow-up care, and screening.
Is it safe to donate online?
Yes. Our donation process is fully encrypted and secure. We never store your payment information or share your personal data.
Can I donate by post or phone?
Yes. You can post a donation to CBM Ireland, 176 Ivy Exchange, Granby Place, Dublin 1, or call us at +353 (0)1 873 0300 to donate over the phone.
Can I donate in honour or memory of someone?
Yes, many supporters choose to donate in honour of a loved one. Please contact us if you’d like to receive a special card or message with your gift.
Who can I contact with questions?
We’d love to hear from you. Call us on +353 (0)1 873 0300 or email info@cbm.ie. We’re here to help.