We are an international Christian development organisation committed to empowering people with disabilities in the poorest countries around the world.
Over 30 years in Australia and over 110 years internationally, we remain the only Australian development organisation working to end the cycle of poverty and disability.
Founded on faith and love
From our humble beginnings as a home for blind and orphaned children in Turkey, we have grown and our journey continues to echo the history of our founder, Pastor Ernst Christoffel, working in the poorest communities irrespective of race, faith or gender.
We work in partnership with local organisations to build an inclusive world by implementing community-based programs that:
Prevent blindness
such as that caused by Cataracts, River Blindness, and Trachoma.
End poverty
by creating inclusive learning environments and supporting livelihood opportunities for people with disabilities, and empowering people with disabilities to be advocates for change within their own communities.
Advocate
to transform lives of people with disabilities – advocate at all levels from local communities to governments to amplify the voices of people with disabilities.
Cataracts
Nahel
Nahel is three years old and has bilateral cataracts. He has struggled with his vision since he was a baby, squinting and holding objects very close to his face in order to see them.
Learn more
Mental health
Hein
Hein’s suicide attempt was stopped by his family. With the help of CBM, he is now overcoming challenges and creating the best life he can for them.
Learn more
In 2020 we supported programs and advocacy partners in 24 countries around the world in Africa, Asia and the Pacific with help from our generous supporters.
Together with 65 partners, the support of the Australian NGO Cooperation Program and faithful supporters like you, across 35 field programs, we saw:
1.3 million
at risk of disability benefit from our programs
4.8 million
given preventative medication for impairing diseases such as River Blindness and Trachoma
86,813+
access sight-saving surgery
3,756+ children
with disabilities access education
5,175+ teachers trained
to support the needs of people with disabilities
70,781+ access education, healthcare and livelihoods,
as well as skills to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities in their communities.
46 pieces of disabilityspecific technical advice
that CBM gave to Australian Aid
Over the past five years, our program investment has increased to a combined total of $120 million.
2.4 million was raised from our generous Australian supporters. For every $1 given:
19¢ enabled us to generate future income so we can reach more people with, or at risk of, disability who live in poverty.
9¢ provided essential administration to ensure we have capable staff, infrastructure, and systems to deliver our life-changing work.
72¢ supported life-changing access to education, healthcare, medical services, rehabilitation, skills, employment opportunities for people with disabilities, and advisory work.
Ways you can get involved
Become a
CBM supporter
Leave a Gift
in your Will
Volunteer
with us
#BetterWorldForAll
International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPD) – 3 December – is a United Nations (UN) sanctioned day celebrated annually. This important day aims to raise awareness and promote action around the rights of people with disabilities and their full inclusion in society.
This year we’re focussing on building a #BetterWorldForAll