Bandana was born with cataracts in both eyes.
This 6-year-old girl has never seen the world around her. She’s never seen a flower bloom or the beauty of her mother’s smile.
Bandana has been blind ever since she was born.
And each day that passes is doing her more harm.
You see, Bandana’s brain is becoming used to the lack of light and information it needs to ‘learn’ how to see properly. Without URGENT sight-restoring surgery, she could lose the ability to see, forever.
Please don’t let that happen.
Your Miracle Gift of Sight can help this little girl see, for the first time in her life. Please, will you donate today?
Bandana and her family live in extreme poverty
Bandana’s mum, Lila, desperately wants to help her daughter. Any mother would. But she is wracked with guilt, because there’s nothing she can do.
“I discovered Bandana’s eye condition right after she was born. We are not able to afford treatment, because we have no money,” Lila says.
It’s true. This family can barely afford food, let alone cataract surgery for their daughter.
But they haven’t given up hope. Lila is hoping that a caring person like you will reach out and give the Miracle Gift of Sight to Bandana.
Please, will you help Bandana get the urgent eye surgery she needs, before it’s too late?
It gets worse. Bandana has two sisters, who are also blind.
Bandana has two sisters Dipika (4) and Dibyani (1), who were also born with congenital cataracts. All three are blind.
One of our CBM colleagues Mariska visited Lila and her daughters in Nepal, and she said,
“I’ve met so many families impacted by blindness, but never a family whose children were all born with cataracts.
It was awful to see how Lila was struggling to care for three children who were all blind – each desperate to be holding on to her, out of fear for the world around them.
It was clear Lila would do anything for her girls, but she was totally worn out, and didn’t know where to turn.”
Your generous Miracle Gift of Sight will make a world of difference to a family like this. Please donate now.
You can help give someone like Bandana sight… changing their life forever.
Giving the Miracle Gift of Sight means more than just restoring vision. If Bandana and her sisters receive the Miracle Gift of Sight, their lives will be transformed.
They’ll be able to go to school, get an education, and reach their full potential. And Lila will be able to go to work and help lift her family out of poverty.
Watch as Ambassador Lucy Holmes witnesses a child having cataract surgery in Nepal.
“You can’t change the world on your own. But you can change the world for one person! That’s what CBM do day-in, day-out, and it’s why they’re my favourite charity.”
– Lucy Holmes, Christian Radio Host and faithful CBM Ambassador.
It really is true. Just $33 can stop someone from going needlessly blind.
That’s how much a sight-restoring surgery costs in some of the world’s poorest regions. And it only takes about 12 minutes to perform a cataract surgery – and somebody’s life is changed forever.
Look at the difference you’ve made in the past
Sudip before his surgery
Sudip after his surgery
Your generosity in the past helped Sudip from Nepal to have his cataracts removed and his sight restored. He has now joined his friends at school.
You can give the same opportunity to Bandana and her sisters, before it’s too late for cataract surgery to be successful. Please, will you donate now, and help change their lives forever?
Did you know?
8 in 10 cases of vision impairment are considered avoidable.
9 in 10 people who are visually impaired live in developing countries.
Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision impairment globally.
Miracles in action
10 years of making Miracles
Armon’s Story: A miracle of sight for a young father
Margil and Aljon thank you for their sight-saving surgery
Miracles FAQs
Yes, you can! Find out how you can fundraise with family, friends, your church or work colleagues to give Miracles to those who desperately need their sight restored.
A Miracle is a $33 gift that gives someone blind from cataracts the 12-minute surgery needed to restore their sight.
Blindness to sight in 12-minutes… a Miracle.
*On occasion very small children will need anaesthetic with cataract surgery, the cost for cataract surgery including anaesthetic is $230.
In 2023, for every dollar given to CBM Australia, 74 cents supported field programs and 21 cents generated funds to support future programs, leaving 5 cents to deliver accountability and administration.
CBM and our field partners run inclusive eye health programs around the world funding eye health work in:
- Bangladesh
- Indonesia
- Philippines
- Nigeria
- Nepal
- Kenya
Yes! Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. For more information read our terms below:
Gifts of $2 or more to CBM Australia Overseas Development Fund are tax-deductible. Your gifts will be invested prudently in what you’ve given to, or where it’s needed most. CBM Australia is committed to protecting your personal information. To find out how we store, secure and use your information read our Privacy Policy or call us on 1800 678 069. If you would like to change the frequency you receive updates about CBM Australia’s work please contact us at cbm@cbm.org.au or call us on 1800 678 069