Training and employing local specialists

Evariste from Ruanda was blind from
cataract. Since surgery he can see again
and support his family.

Our mission

LIGHT FOR THE WORLD is dedicated to ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities in developing countries, without discrimination of gender, ethnicity, social group or religion.

Of 39 million blind people in the world, 80 % live in developing countries. Shockingly, 80 % of all cases of blindness in the world are either treatable by relatively simple means or could have been avoided in the first place.

80 % of the world's 650 million persons with disabilities live in developing countries and 120 million
are children. Without access to basic healthcare, primary education or livelihood opportunities, many people with disabilities are locked in a vicious cycle of poverty and disability. In addition, poverty places millions of people at risk of avoidable disability through malnutrition, unsafe living and working conditions and inadequate healthcare and sanitation. In more than 50 % of cases, a disability or impairment is avoidable.

Marginalised and voiceless, many persons with disabilities are deprived of even their basic human rights and are largely either ignored or excluded from development processes.

LIGHT FOR THE WORLD provides access to treatment and rehabilitation for persons with disabilities
by supporting local partner organisations. We also commit ourselves to the task of creating new opportunities for persons with disabilities, to increase mobility with the help of devices, to start initiatives that will provide education and income, and to support people with disabilities to exercise their rights.

In addition, LIGHT FOR THE WORLD is committed to raising awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities within their family, communities and national contexts, as well as within the wider development agenda. This is an important basis for social inclusion and for the autonomy and selfdetermination of persons with disabilities.

Guiding principles in cooperation with partners in the developing world

We support local partners in underprivileged regions of the world in their work with and for persons who are blind, have other disabilities or are at risk of becoming disabled.
We provide support irrespective of gender, ethnicity and religious affiliation with a particular emphasis on marginalised groups such as women, children, indigenous peoples and those living in poverty.
We act according to the needs of persons with disabilities.
Our programmes aim to reach as many people as possible while targeting those in greatest need.
We support programmes that provide sustainable social integration, empowerment and opportunities for those who are blind or have a disability.
We support our programmes through difficult financial periods and respond to all challenges with endurance, perseverance and flexibility.
Our programme work is based on the efficient and economical use of resources and we respect the principles of ecological and social sustainability and fair trade wherever possible.
We enable the global exchange of learning and experiences on effective and efficient development
programmes.