Building Awareness...
LIGHT FOR THE WORLD dedicates its work to support persons who are blind or otherwise disabled in developing countries by providing medical assistance, building sustainable health structures, including persons with disabilities in their society and supporting them to participate in development programmes. This is only possible with the help of our donors and supporters in Europe. In various campaigns and events, LIGHT FOR THE WORLD informs the public about the situation of persons with disabilities and the worldwide need to take action.
Blindnote 2008
With the Blindnote campaign LIGHT FOR THE WORLD Belgium raises awareness on blind children in Africa by organizing musical events. These events take place partially in the dark. Jan Hautekiet, a famous belgian radio voice and first ambassador of Blindnote, visited the 'Saint Joseph' Hospital and Elikya-network in DR Congo in 2008.
Blindnote was also present at the famous summer festivals Les Francofolies (Spa - Wallonië) and Dranouter (Flanders). Artists promoted the campaign on stage and encouraged the public to send text messages of support. In Dranouter, tickets to two special concerts were given as a prize to the participants. The winners were given a blindfold and attended the concert as "blind" persons.
On World Sight Day 2008 several musicians played a few moments of their concerts in the dark and flyers in the shape of eye-masks were distributed.
Building Awareness in Schools
LIGHT FOR THE WORLD considers it an important part of its mission to inform donors and supporters in Europe about the project work, to raise awareness on the situation and the rights of persons who are blind or otherwise disabled in developing countries.
LIGHT FOR THE WORLD organises awareness days in schools to reach children and teenagers and create an atmosphere of understanding and solidarity with underprivileged people in Africa, Asia and South America.
In the course of these events, the pupils experience blindness by leading each other blindfolded along the hall or learning how to write their name in Braille. They learn about the link between disability and poverty, about the possibilities of rehabilitation and inclusion and that human rights are for everybody. In Austria, over 15 schools 20 have been visited by LIGHT FOR THE WORLD in 2008.