Analysis: Reflecting on gender in inclusive development: progress in 2020 In order to achieve disability and gender equality and truly leave no one behind, CBM recognises the need to actively work with all people who are affected by disability discrimination; women, men, girls and boys. We know from our field experience that women and girls with...
Disability-Inclusive Climate Action Research Program About one billion people around the world have disabilities, and up to 190 million of these people experience functional difficulties in their day-to-day lives, according to the World Health Organisation.Although people with disabilities are at increased risk of the adverse impacts of climate change, they are generally overlooked when it comes...
Changing the debate: How we can help to tackle gender and unpaid care? In the distribution of unpaid work, gender plays a significant role. Women tend to spend significantly more time doing unpaid work, when compared with their male counterparts. While this was the case prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the outbreak of coronavirus lockdowns and...
COVID-19 Updates From the Field: Stories from Indonesia Remember Hascaryo? CBM first met Hascaryo during the Covid-19 pandemic through our work with partners in Indonesia. Hascaryo is a single father and lives with mental illness, and was supporting his family through his business of creating gift boxes. When the pandemic sent everyone into lockdown, his business...
https://youtu.be/FLlLLJyzVVYOne of the first things we did when the COVID-19 lockdown happened was rearrange our furniture.Like many families, we found ourselves having to adapt our home to create functional work and study spaces for the whole family (including our cats!). This rearranging took some creativity and a lot of thinking outside of the box, but...
https://youtu.be/fkdiY45rkNcReflection by Joseph PinkardHow do you prepare and respond when faced with a challenging and unexpected situation?Noah finds himself in an extreme situation as God explains to him that, in response to the violence caused by the people on earth and their corrupted ways, there is no option but to destroy the earth and its...
[embed]https://youtu.be/_zKj_oHuJ08[/embed]Reflection by John JeffriesOver my 33 years at CBM, Jesus’ challenge to love my neighbour as myself was never far from my mind.This is especially so with the way Jesus brilliantly contextualises this challenge in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Here Jesus expands our view of who is our neighbour.Through CBM, our neighbours become...
When he was growing up, Seta did not ever imagine he would one day experience life with a disability. At age 17, he suddenly lost his vision and everything changed.“The world became different to me. More unjust, more unwelcoming, unfriendly, excluding. I had to work twice if not three times as hard,” he says.“That triggered...
One of the worst natural disasters to ever strike Bangladesh was Tropical Cyclone Sidr. In November 2007, the storm took the lives of up to 10,000 people and caused extensive damage to homes, crops and livelihoods.Shilpy, who lives in a Bangladeshi village, will never forget its impact.“I had my baby boy at that moment –...
According to the UN University WorldRiskIndex, Vanuatu is the world’s most at-risk country for natural disasters. The South Pacific nation, comprising dozens of islands, experiences a five-month tropical cyclone season each year as well as volcanic activity, floods, droughts, earthquakes and tsunamis.People with disabilities are particularly vulnerable during disasters and emergencies. However, in Vanuatu, community...
Treating mental health conditions, addressing social stigma: Stories from Benue State, NigeriaFor many people living with mental illness in Nigeria, the challenge of receiving help is made harder by the limited resources to assist all who need support. According to estimates by the Benue State Comprehensive Community Mental Health Program, there is on average one...
Last year, Indonesian President Joko Widodo described Australia as “Indonesia’s closest friend,” - and right now our closest friend is experiencing a crisis.The Indonesian island of Sulawesi is dealing with the immediate aftermath of a 6.2 magnitude earthquake which caused widespread devastation on January 15.At least 90 people lost their lives in the category one...
CBM Leads Disability Inclusive Response During Global Pandemic CBM’s Inclusion Advisory Group partner with the disability movement to influence organisations, institutions and systems to realise the rights of persons with disabilities and work for a more inclusive world. 2020 was our busiest year yet, shifting our efforts in the midst of a global pandemic to focus...
Challenging stigma around mental illness in the midst of Covid-19One of the most challenging barriers to building inclusive communities can be tackling stigma attached to mental illness. In the advent of Covid-19, people experiencing existing mental health concerns have faced further stigma when trying to access health services, receive medication, or support networks. Lockdowns have...
Building an inclusive community to help keep kids in schoolsCBM Australia’s Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) projects are changing lives in Ethiopia. Through targeted awareness raising activities, building of strong referral networks and changing attitudes towards health in rural areas of the country, hundreds of children and adults have been enabled to continue their education...
Matti's Story: Inclusive Education During the COVID-19 Crisis It's that time of the year again in Australia – back to school. Last year’s lockdowns saw home schooling become the ‘new normal,’ highlighting a stronger appreciation for our access to education here in Australia.Receiving an education is one of the primary ways people living in poor communities...
5 Ways to Budget for Regular Charity Donations 2020 has impacted everyone in various different ways, from the bushfire crisis here in Australia, to the Black Lives Matter movement across the globe, all against the backdrop of a public health crisis and devastating economic recession. What has emerged from these multiple crises, however, is a sense...
3 Ways to Give More Without Sacrificing Your Financial Goals For many people, seeing hurt and hardship going on around them prompts an aching desire to help in some way. But in the absence of traditional power and influence that comes with being a high flying business person or, well, running the country (!), it’s easy...
Bible Verse Isaiah 42:1-9 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,my chosen one in whom I delight;I will put my Spirit on him,and he will bring justice to the nations.He will not shout or cry out,or raise his voice in the streets.A bruised reed he will not break,and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.In...
Recognising gender barriers to social inclusion in Cameroon Women face a myriad of barriers in contributing to meaningful social engagement within many communities. In Cameroon, women face a lack of access to resources, earning capacity, poor education and strict societal roles that can hinder a woman’s ability to proactively engage in the community. When considering the...
Finding the positive in the Covid-19 landscape: A story of hope from IndonesiaAs the Covid-19 pandemic escalated around the world, the World Health Organisation issued a sobering report noting the risk that people with disability faced in protecting themselves from contracting the virus. Over the last 12 months, these challenges have also extended to protecting...
Stories of Change – Disability-Inclusive Research Guidance - Karen Alexander For international development research to be ethical and uphold high-quality standards it must include people with disabilities. By doing so we ensure all people benefit from development projects, not just a select few. Ultimately, disability-inclusive research helps to achieve better development outcomes overall.That’s why in...
Bible Verse – Luke 1:46-55 And Mary said:“My soul glorifies the Lordand my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,for he has been mindfulof the humble state of his servant.From now on all generations will call me blessed,for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.His mercy extends to those who fear him,from...
Meaningful Gift Ideas For Any Budget With Christmas around the corner, attentions are turning to ticking off gift lists. After a tumultuous year that’s impacted everyone around the world in some way, why not give a little differently this year? Today, we’re sharing some meaningful ways you can support CBM Australia this Christmas, by giving an...
Expanding Business Practice in Aceh The pressures of COVID-19 have been felt around the world, from large business empires to localised small business. In times like these, CBM’s work in Aceh, Indonesia, is critical in helping small businesses get back on their feet. One way in which CBM does this is through building the capacity of...
Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, CBM and our partner organisations have been working hard to ensure that people with disabilities are not left behind. In eastern Nepal, CBM has supported the work of the Biratnagar Eye Hospital in continuing to provide eye care and corrective surgery during the global pandemic. This service...
Giving to causes that align with your values is a great way to ensure your successes and privileges are shared with those less fortunate. But, while many of us would like to donate to charity, stagnant wage growth and rising costs of living can make it harder to find the surplus income required to make...
Bible Verse – Isaiah 9:1-7 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honour Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—The people walking in darknesshave...
Many of us wish we could have more of an impact on the world. With the world’s wealth so unevenly distributed, it’s easy to feel powerless to change when you’re not earning huge amounts of money.But being able to donate just 1% of your salary can make a huge difference to the causes you care...
The results of a rapid global survey of people with disabilities about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted a catastrophic failure to protect their lives, health and rights.The report, Disability rights during the pandemic: A global report on findings of the COVID-19 Disability Rights Monitor, was published in October.It draws on more than...
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth Reflection [caption id="attachment_28520" align="alignright" width="300"] Stevie Wills[/caption]Join us at CBM Australia, as we journey through advent. This year we’re exploring the theme of ‘Hope-filled visions’. We’re exploring...
Australia is one of the world’s most charitable countries – and when we see a natural disaster occur overseas many of us want to support those directly affected.Almost half of all natural disasters around the world happen in the Asia-Pacific region, and in the last few years alone countries including Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, the...
The Philippines is one of the world’s most vulnerable countries when it comes to natural disasters – and right now the Southeast Asian nation is dealing with a significant crisis.Typhoon Vamco is the third typhoon to strike the Philippines in the last month and its impact has been devastating. At least 67 people have been...
CBM Australia Case Study Partner Organisation: CBM Philippines Country OfficeWhen COVID-19 first reached the Philippines, widespread lockdowns and mandatory mask-wearing were introduced across the country to slow the spread of the virus. For deaf people, this meant that they were cut off from communicating via lip reading, as traditional masks hide people’s faces.Michi, from CBM’s Country...
With the support Australian NGO Cooperation Program, CBM has supported the Aceh Community Based Inclusive Development project, in partnership with two local NGOs. Over three years, the project tackled a range of challenges facing people with disability. One of the most pressing issues that this project addressed was to boost financial independence of people living...
2020 has been an extremely challenging year – but also an opportunity to reflect on what is important to us, such as family, friends and good health.As we approach a festive season like none before, the CBM Gift Shop is offering a range of Meaningful Gifts, which help to change the lives of some of...
In her early childhood Edith was hospitalised with a severe case of measles (later suspected to be Polio) and fell into a coma. Her parents, both teachers in a remote area in western Kenya, were devastated and prayed their daughter would be saved. God answered their prayers and Edith survived. However, the muscles in her...
Image: Lyn with women receiving treatment for fistula in Africa (2015)On Monday (November 2), long-term CBM supporter Lyn Wake is celebrating her birthday, but instead of celebrating the milestone with presents and cake, Lyn is instead asking Australians to dig deep to donate in support of her late daughter Bethany’s remarkable legacy of helping the...
He may be a person with vision impairment, but CBM supporter Prabath Wickramanayake has not held back.Born in Sri Lanka, Prabath grew up in New Zealand, and while experiencing vision impairment himself, he gained no particular knowledge of others with a similar condition.He attended Newlands College, a mainstream school in Wellington, where he was fortunate...
Promoting significant social returns from small investment in Vietnam An important part of the work CBM engages in, is promoting and supporting livelihoods for people with disabilities. Developing livelihoods promotes economic independence and when people can support themselves and their family, this improves confidence. This is especially important for people with disabilities who may have been...
Generating practical and policy support for mental health in West AfricaOver two five-year projects between January 2010 and the project’s completion in December 2019, CBM, supported a mental health leadership project designed to support and bolster the mental health services and combat stigma associated with mental illness and create national stakeholder councils across five countries...
Leading disability-inclusive international development agency, CBM Australia, has described tonight’s apparent cuts to the disability allocation within the Australian aid budget as short-sighted and bewildering.The Federal Government has removed more than 25 per cent of the disability budget, which is contradictory for a government promising to protect the most vulnerable.CBM CEO Jane Edge said people...
Applying the lessons from Ebola to the COVID-19 crisis As countries rapidly formulate appropriate responses to the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued an urgent statement noting, “Unless governments and communities take action discrimination against people with disabilities could increase during the COVID-19 pandemic”. It is useful to examine...
Celebrating corrective eye surgery in Nepal on World Sight Day Twenty years on from the first World Sight Day and October 8 continues to provide a chance to reflect on just how life changing corrective eye surgery is for people around the world. CBM Australia in collaboration with CBM Germany and Italy funds cataract surgery...
As countries around the world continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital that these responses take into account the needs of people with disabilities. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that people with disabilities face a greater chance of contracting the virus, since they may be unable to practice physical distancing,...
Heather Maddy’s late mother Thelma had two great passions – craft and charity – and she is determined to continue her mother’s legacy of generosity and support for those in need, through COVID-19 and beyond.“Mum was passionate about helping others in need and held a firm belief that everyone should have access to clean water,”...
Father in the name of Jesus, I pray may you meet every person with disability around the world living in poverty. You are our provider, provide them the comfort they deserve and give them channels for which they can be able to uplift themselves from poverty and make them be able to work. Lord we...
I grew up in a village in Papua New Guinea and attended a native church. My grandfather was Catholic, so my parents went to Catholic Church. The Bible was with us, but it was not the doctrine or the book that we would take to the church; rather it was the songs that formed the...
We learn so much from our close family and friends and on Father’s Day we recognise the contribution of fathers can play in the new normal of the COVID-19 pandemic.In Cameroon, Richard is an innovative entrepreneur living with disability. He manages his small stall where he can sell a variety of items including sweets and...
Clubfoot is one of a number of relatively common congenital anomalies that can be present from a baby’s birth.Affecting one or both feet, clubfoot is a deformity of the foot, which sees a baby’s foot or feet twisted inwards.This is due to the tendons that connect a baby’s leg muscles to its foot being shorter...
River blindness – or onchocerciasis – is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide and has a devastating impact on the lives of people primarily living in tropical African nations.The parasitic disease can be transmitted to humans if they are repeatedly bitten by an infected blackfly – most commonly found in close proximity to...
What is a fistula? A fistula occurs when an unborn baby’s head puts too much pressure on a mother’s maternal tissues, cutting off the blood supply. The tissue dies and leaves a hole, or fistula, which causes urine and sometimes faeces to leak uncontrollably.In the poorest places, malnutrition can affect the growth of the skeleton,...
Lord, I lift to you all persons with disabilities. Give them additional strength. I pray that they will trust in you and be strong. Lord, I pray that the carers of persons with disabilities will have the patience and knowledge on how to encourage them. I lift all these to you, through Jesus Christ. Amen. ...
‘This life is an opportunity This life is to serve God Don’t waste what God has given This life must be a blessing’I am the ninth child in a family of 10 children. I grew up in a small city in Indonesia called Magelang.When I was young, I was taken to hospital for surgery on my backbones. After...
Hi my name is Barbara Armstrong.I live in South Australia on the Fleurieu Peninsula in a little town called Yankalilla. I would like to talk to you today about CBM and the wonderful work they do around the world.I was first introduced to CBM by a friend who invited me to a meeting in Victor...
Big dreams back for Sudip Returning to school after his second cataract surgery was a big milestone for Sudip. When he initially stopped going to school, the five-year old’s vision problems prevented him from being able to read the blackboard or learn with his classmates.Now, after successful cataract surgeries and with a new pair of prescribed...
Combating the stereotypes: COVID-19 response in Nepal Sarita Lamichhane (pictured centre), Gender Equality and Social Inclusion expert of Support Activities of Poor Producers of Nepal (SAPPROS) Nepal“Persons with disabilities are usually looked at as passive receivers of humanitarian aid during disasters. Being a visually impaired woman, I strive to change these attitudes on a daily basis.”Sarita...
Adapting our livelihoods to the conditions of COVID-19: IndonesiaThe impact of COVID-19 on livelihoods has been extensive, but increasingly CBM has been hearing reports on how people have been able to adapt to these new conditions, by adapting their businesses operations in order to continue to earn a living. CBM checked in with Hascaryo...
CBM Donor’s Engineering Success Greg Fawbry, one of our valued supporters, is an engineer drawn to our work in inclusive eye health. Graeme Turner finds out why.It was challenging to handle surveying equipment, to read the calibrations in a time long before digital readouts. This might not seem a huge deal, but Greg Fawbry, one of...
World Humanitarian Day: Making Humanitarian Action Inclusive At time of crisis, people with disabilities are often among the worst affected and the last to receive help. They may not hear about the best ways to protect themselves or be able to reach help. They may struggle to access essentials like clean water and food – and...
The challenges of inclusive eye care in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic For the first time in a long time, individuals across the globe are united in facing the same crisis – the Covid-19 pandemic. Thanks to the generous support of Australians, CBM Australia has been able to contribute to the prevention of the virus...
CBM received an update from an organisation of people with disability (OPD) in Cameroon: Bamenda III municipality. With the support of CBM and partner organisations, Bamenda III were able to ensure that their members were able to access COVID-19 kits and receive appropriate training on the use of the kits. This training was tailored specifically...
Author: Alison Dean, Director of Public EngagementOn my first overseas project visit with CBM, I wept.Now let me be clear, I am not the crying type. For 30 years I have held myself to the discipline of not crying at work, and certainly not this type of crying. This was silent, body-shaking, eyes-leaking crying.Why?I was...
Author: Jane Edge, CEO of CBM AustraliaPictured: Joanna with her mother Frenil at their shop.For 110 years around the world, and more than 40 years in Australia, CBM has provided impactful and sustainable support to people with disabilities living in the poorest countries.From here in Australia, this work transforms the lives of up to 10...
It’s not every day you can change somebody’s life with just $33 – but CBM’s annual Miracles Day is a chance to make a genuine difference for about the same cost as a take-away dinner.Each year, Miracles Day raises funds to perform sight-saving surgeries for people living with cataracts in some of the world’s poorest...
COVID-19 is having devastating impact on lives around the world. Those living in poverty with a disability are even more impacted. You can help.In many ways our current experience of living with the COVD-19 pandemic is normal life for the vast majority of the world’s people. In the places where CBM Australia works, fears we...
On Miracles Day last year, Lucy travelled to a remote village in Nepal to meet patients at Nepal’s largest eye hospital where sight-saving surgery takes place multiple times each day. During her trip she and co-host Kel broadcast their Brekky Show live from Nepal and encouraged listeners to donate to Miracles Day.As part of her...
Author: Lucy Holmes, 89.9 The Light Like most parents, I will never forget the moment I first held my beautiful daughter. After battling infertility for years, finally being able to see my precious baby and snuggle her was something I had looked forward to for many years.In the days, weeks and months that followed, I eagerly...
The sight of the CBM partner Eye Hospital, based in a remote region of Nepal, inspired hope and optimism in five-year old Sudip and his father Sher Bahadur.Sudip’s eyesight had deteriorated to the point he could no longer attend school, socialise with his friends or play with his siblings. The little boy and his parents...
Author: Mariska MeldrumNever in my wildest imagination, would I have pictured myself standing in a small shack on a remote island in the Philippines, watching someone have eye surgery.But there I was, a mum of three small kids - known for running out of the room during operating scenes on TV - watching in awe...
Author: Frenil, Joanna's Mother.Our lives changed when Joanna woke up one day without sight. It felt as though our family fell down really hard. But as a mother, I had to be strong for my family…for my daughter. I walked her to school every day. I copied notes for her. I helped her eat, get...
Author: Lyn WakeTravelling to Nepal in 2019, as an ambassador for CBM, was a heartfelt mission taken on behalf of our late daughter, Bethany. Generous and compassionate, Bethany dreamed of becoming a nurse and journeying to remote places to help the most marginalised and the ‘poorest of the poor’.However, Bethany did not get to fulfil...
On Miracles Day, Australians are asked to donate $33 to give someone the Miracle gift of sight-saving surgery. CBM Australia uses this money to fund eye-health projects in countries like the Philippines. Dr. Reden Rabino is a celebrated ophthalmologist at Eye Hear Foundation, a CBM partner in the Philippines. Michi from the CBM Country Office...
Scott Curtis, 107.9 Life FM's Content Director, shares his Miracle Memory from his 2017 trip to the Philippines for Miracles Day. I stood in awe, microphone in one hand and phone in the other trying to best capture this miracle that was unfolding before me. Alfredo had been experiencing a deterioration in his sight for the past...
Many young children have big dreams about what they want to be when they grow up, like becoming a footballer, a firefighter or a doctor.For five-year old Sudip, who lives with his parents and four siblings in a remote village about 600km east of Nepal’s capital Kathmandu, his big dream was to be a police...
Cataract FactsCataracts are the leading cause of blindness, responsible for just over half [51%] the cases of blindness around the world.That’s around 20 million people – the majority of them living in developing countries.A cataract is the milky clouding of the eye lens. Cataracts can occur in one or both eyes.Trying to see with a...
Giselle is one of our young Miracles Day donors. In recent years, Giselle has saved up her pocket money to give to people in need. We got in touch with her to find out what inspired such a generous gift and what else she’s doing to make the world a better place. Giselle, why did you...
Making Mental Health a Priority in Nepal in Responding to COVID-19 During times of crises, mental health is often adversely impacted, with increased risks of anxiety and depression, but also for people living with mental illness crises can disrupt routines and access to necessary medicine. CBM has been working with partner organisations in Nepal to provide...
Over the past decade, we have seen natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies increase in number, scale and duration, having considerable impact on the world’s most vulnerable people. CBM Australia plays a vital role in ensuring humanitarian action and disaster response includes people with disabilities – in our immediate region and globally.Common experience reveals that people...
In times of epidemics and crisis people living with mental illness can become especially vulnerable. There are often spikes in mental health concerns reported within the general community, and these spikes can be particularly challenging for people living with mental illness. During health crisis that include lockdown procedures, people living with mental illness may find...
Julian Eaton, CBM’s Global Advisor for Mental Health, answers questions about mental health, and how CBM is helping those most in need.What is mental health?When we talk about mental health, we often immediately think about mental illness, whereas in fact mental health is actually a good thing! Being mentally healthy is what allows us...
Bethany Wake was a remarkable 15-year-old Australian girl who loved God and people with a passion. Bethany was devoted to helping the poor and disadvantaged. She had a particular heart for women suffering from obstetric fistula and she dreamed of becoming a midwife one day. In her life she began fundraising and awareness (the Blue Box) –...
Preventing the transmission of COVID-19 remains for now one of the best methods of combating the virus. CBM has been involved in curbing the spread of COVID-19 through the distribution of prevention kits to the communities we work with in Cameroon, in West Africa. These prevention kits include sanitation products like soaps, buckets and face...
Community Education Officer Stevie Wills’ hopes for inclusive communities as we begin to emerge from lockdown. In Australia, we haven’t seen a crisis like COVID-19 in our lifetime. In late March it dawned on me that I couldn’t ask my parents (or anyone else) how they had managed similar circumstances in the past. We have collectively...
Redirecting efforts to build community protection: The Philippines When news of the COVID-19 crisis escalated, our CBM Philippines office and local partner responded by preparing preventative measures to ensure the safety of one of the communities we work with in Southern Leyte. Since April, 226 hygiene and safety packs have been distributed amongst the community....
Responding to COVID-19 in Indonesia In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic one way in which CBM has been working in Indonesia is to build initiatives that will assist people who might otherwise struggle during this time. One of these initiatives was through a partnership with a social crowdfunding platform. One of the campaigns on this...
Shadishori's Story: Disability Rights and Education. Shadishori heard about a disability project in 2007 when CBM's partner organisation, NBJK were doing a survey in her village to find out how many people with disability there were. There were opportunities to get training, and she took up the chance to get 3 months of training as a...
Creating Work Opportunities for People with Disability. Mangal got involved with CBM partner organisation, MSS’s work in 2014, when the organisation was linking people with disability with training in mushroom production. He does this work with others, and together the group has now developed a good business – mushrooms sell for 200 rupees ($4)/kg, and they...
Suman's Story: Changing Attitudes About Disability and Sport. “When I was at school, I watched other kids get medals and prizes for sport, but because of my disability, I got nothing” says Suman. That changed in 2002 when schools in Ranchi decided to mark Disability Day by involving children with disability in athletics competitions. Suman came...
In lower-income countries, the repercussions of COVID-19 will place additional strain on health services, leaving many people more vulnerable. CBM Australia has sought to assist and strengthen health systems and community infrastructure to ensure people with disabilities in India can meet their continuing and additional needs in a time of uncertainty caused by COVID-19.By mobilising...
In addition to responding to COVID-19 challenges, the CBM Australia and CBM Italy teams have been assisting in the Amhara region in Ethiopia to build resilience in communities at risk of food insecurity. The Amhara region currently faces a number of challenges to food security from locust swarms and recent floods and landslides, threatening livelihoods...
29/05/2020CBM Australia welcomes Australia’s international COVID-19 response, though warns that ambition without investment will leave people with disabilities further behind. The Australian Government today released its Partnerships for Recovery COVID-19 development strategy, and made tangible commitments to prioritising the inclusion of people with disabilities and women and girls. CBM Australia – Australia’s largest international development organisation...
LATEST REPORT FROM THE FIELD HYGIENE CRISIS: SOAP IS LIKE GOLD DUST NOWHere in Australia we’re well used to the public health advice on washing our hands to break the COVID-19 cycle. But simple hand soap is a luxury item for millions of people living in poverty. So rare that many people are having to use...
I write to you from Dhaka the capital of Bangladesh asking you please to help us now, today. Our situation is desperate. If I had to use just one word to describe the atmosphere in this city at the moment, it would be “fear”.Everyone is afraid. Especially the poor, who live in vast slums, and...
Cucu Saidah’s work as a disability advocate and inclusion advisor has taken her from her homeland Indonesia to Japan, the US, Australia and Norway. But, as a person with a disability who sees barriers to social and economic participation every day, she believes her work will never be complete.“My passion is accessibility and disability inclusion,...
Gerard Ybanez looks up from his work desk. He stops soldering microchips in his outdoor electronics repair shop at his parents’ sprawling house on the road from Madredejos. “I fix cellphones, TVs and sound equipment. I love sound equipment – and I love music." Gerard is 28 and twelve years ago he joined a home-based rehabilitation program...
What does 26,500 hours of donated time look like?The answer can be seen in the ongoing success of CBM Australia’s work – as that is the number of hours generously donated to the organisation by volunteers between January and December 2019.“In monetary terms, the hard work and dedication of our volunteers save CBM Australia an...
Early intervention is crucial in addressing treatable conditions and improving the lives of many people.For people living in poverty around the world, gaining access to early intervention measures can be a challenge. In the case of young children, without early intervention, these children can miss vital education in their early school learning which can significantly...
Abdurrahman (above left) is helping a car mechanic during repair work. He is a person with an intellectual disability who has gained new income from his new job as a mechanic assistant in an auto repair business.Abdurrahman (40 years old) lives with his wife and his 4th grader boy in a small village in Blang...
Ibu Mariti looks lovingly at her son, something she wasn’t able to do when she had cataracts.Ibu Mariti lives in East Java with her two sons, one of whom is still in school. She is a masseur and is very well respected in her community as a healer, especially for babies and small children.When we...