Bring light
to a child's eyes
Right now, children like Mariya and Ikilima are living in darkness simply because their families cannot access basic eye care.
Two Childhoods Almost Lost to Darkness
“I was overjoyed when I heard the news.”
After surgery, the change was immediate and profound. Where there had been confusion and darkness, there was now light. The girls began to move with confidence, noticing faces, shapes, and the world unfolding around them.
Today, Mariya and Ikilima can begin to live as children should: learning, playing, and growing without the limits of avoidable blindness. Their future, once uncertain, is now filled with possibility.
“Then a dot appeared in their eyes…”
In a small village in Nigeria, sisters Mariya (6) and Ikilima (3) were born with cataracts. From their earliest weeks, their mother Balkisu sensed something wasn’t right. They cried constantly, unable to settle, and didn’t respond to faces or movement around them.
By just 50 days old, a cloudy whiteness had formed in their eyes. They reached blindly for toys, missing them again and again. While other children began to explore the world, theirs was already fading into shadow.
“They grew up in a world of shadows.”
As they grew older, the challenges became impossible to ignore. The girls stumbled often, struggled to recognise their parents, and couldn’t safely navigate even familiar spaces. Simple moments—walking, playing, reaching for objects—became filled with uncertainty.
The long walk to school was too dangerous, and without education, their future felt fragile. Living on a small income, their family could not afford treatment. Balkisu feared her daughters would grow up without ever truly seeing the world around them.
“I prayed to God for a successful surgery.”
Hope arrived when the girls were identified through a CBM-supported hospital. For the first time, there was a path forward. Doctors confirmed cataracts in both eyes and explained that surgery, though simple, was urgent.
On the day of the operation, Balkisu carried both fear and hope in equal measure. The procedures took only minutes, but those minutes held everything, the chance for her daughters to finally see clearly and experience life without fear.
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
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.