During one of CBM India’s survey visits to their city, our field staff came to know about Harikrishun’s story. Because of his disability, the child could not stand or sit comfortably; he also had to halt his education. Upon learning about the nearby CBM India’s Therapy Unit, Harikrishun’s parents were enthusiastic about exploring rehabilitation, hoping for positive changes for their child. Following CBM India’s project team’s advice, they brought Harikrishun to CBM India’s physiotherapy center where he received customized functional therapy sessions as well as diet management guidance.

With CBM India’s support, Harikrushn received a rollator, a mobility aid with wheels, sanctioned by the government free of cost. Harikrushn also registered for a Unique Disability ID (UDID) card, he obtained his disability certificate and a bus pass at a government camp. The UDID card ensures him easy access to different State and Central Government schemes for persons with disabilities. Additionally, Harikrushn receives homeschooling from our special educator. Our staff regularly visit his home to track his progress. Harikrushn’s parents diligently continue with physiotherapy sessions, following the team’s recommendations.

Harikrushn’s has undergone an incredible transformation. Today, he can sit, stand, move with minimal support, and he even hops on his bicycle, with no help, no fuss, just pure joy.

Nowadays, whenever I am in the mood to roam around, I ask my mother to quickly help me put on a pair of shoes and I take a stroll till I’m happy and satisfied!

When asked about his ambitions, he excitedly shared his interests in farming, cattle rearing, and engineering. Harikrushn’s father Rahul cherishes a strong emotional bond with his son, whose optimism shines through during Hari’s therapy sessions. His happiness knows no bounds when he shares, “CBM India’s physiotherapy sessions have helped a lot, now our son moves confidently and without the fear of falling. He has put on some healthy weight as well! His grit shows in his learning too, he writes and learns much better.”

With an encouraging circle of friends and a supportive family, Harikrushn displayed tremendous progress and has now geared up to take independent strides in his personal and learning journey.

Three years back, Mangi Bai began facing problems with her eyesight as well. At first, she ignored the issue, but over time her vision worsened significantly. Mangi Bai could barely recognise an object a few yards away and could not identify people. She could not carry out daily tasks, do household chores, or walk properly. Mangi Bai felt frustrated, thinking there was no way out.

One day, during CBM India’s routine eye care awareness event in her village, she met our community mobiliser, who suggested she visit our Inclusive Vision Centre. At the Inclusive Vision Centre, she was diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes, with her left eye needing surgery.

Mangi Bai was taken aback by the news of surgery. At first, she was hesitant about the surgery due to the costs involved, which left her feeling quite burdened. But when the optometrist assured her that it would be free of charge, she was relieved and agreed to the surgery. Filled with anticipation and optimism for the future, Mangi Bai travelled 150 km to Bhopal for her surgery, along with other patients.

After the successful surgery, Mangi Bai’s vision began improving significantly. With each follow-up appointment, her sight continued to get better. She could finally recognise people again. Mangi Bai wasted no time jumping back into her daily routine, like cooking and caring for her home. She has even started to help her husband in the field during harvest.

I am very happy with the surgery; now, I can see clearly from my left eye. I can recognise people.

The journey may have been long, but it changed Mangi Bai’s life and improved her quality of life. Mangi Bai’s transformation after her cataract surgery has left her overjoyed and convinced her husband to take the same step. Both of them are waiting for the harvest season to end so that they can undergo surgery.

In India, many people like Mangi Bai suffer from treatable eye conditions but cannot access the necessary medical care due to distance, cost, and lack of awareness. To address this, with support from Standard Chartered Bank, CBM India Trust is implementing 117 Inclusive Vision Centres across eight states. These centres provide accessible quality eye care services to ensure the overall well-being and development of communities.

Their life took an unexpected turn when Balakrishna developed a fever and swelling in his legs at the age of 3. Despite spending over INR 1.5 lakhs on treatment, his swelling didn’t go away. He was referred to NIMHANS, Bangalore, from Kathmandu. Around the same time, a family friend offered them a house and land to stay in near Mugalur, Bangalore. The family moved to Bangalore, hoping to seek better treatment for Balakrishna.

During further investigations, the MRI of Balakrishna’s brain showed that he had developed neuropathy. Devendra and Nirmala were heartbroken when doctors informed them that Balakrishna might not be able to walk. At this time, Balakrishna struggled with feeding and lost weight but eventually, he began to move by crawling. Despite this improvement, Devendra and Nirmala were anxious about their son’s health.

During a regular house visit, Mr Muniraj, Balakrishna’s landlord, mentioned his condition to the St. John’s hospital staff, checking for any possible support. The outreach team visited Balakrishna’s family, assessed his situation, and guided them to the Unit of Hope clinic at Mugalur, which is run with the support of CBM India. CBM India works with the Unit of Hope at St. John’s Medical College, providing medical and rehabilitation support for children with disabilities. This was a turning point for the family; they finally had guidance and access to the medical expertise they needed.

They took the advice of the Unit of Hope team and visited the clinic at St. John’s Medical College Hospital. He received consultation from an expert orthopaedics team, and the paediatric orthopaedic surgeon recommended surgery to improve Balakrishna’s mobility.

At first, the family was uncertain about proceeding with the treatment as they could not afford the surgery. However, understanding the family’s financial constraints and the urgent need for the treatment, the Unit of Hope team subsidised the surgery, making it possible for Balakrishna to receive the needed treatment.

After a successful surgery, Balakrishna underwent regular physiotherapy to improve his mobility. As days passed, he started making significant progress in his physical development. Today his mobility is better, and he even sits on a bicycle comfortably with little help. The family has also secured a wheelchair for Balakrishna at no cost from the Village Revenue Officer. Balakrishna continues to receive regular follow-up care via home visits to improve his strength and mobility.

Balakrishna has become more confident, and he is also socialising with his school friends better. Devendra and Nirmala are grateful for the guidance and support they received and are determined to provide him with the best possible future.

The Unit of Hope and CBM India have been working together to provide children like Balakrishna with a healthier and happier childhood. Our mission is to ensure that every child, regardless of their ability, can thrive and fulfil their potential.

With no other source of income, Kuraisha began selling bangles door to doorto support her family. Despite her illiteracy, she persevered and made ends meet through hard work. Over time, Kuraisha’s eldest son took on the family’s primary breadwinner role by working as a tailor in a nearby tailoring shop.

Ten years back, Kuraisha started losing her vision. Without access to eye care, Kuraisha continued living with a debilitating cataract. The vision impairment impacted her daily life, making it difficult to feed her grandchildren or contribute to household work such as sorting rice or cleaning. She struggled to recognise people, even when they were standing right in front of her. She had to be extremely cautious while walking, as she couldn’t see things clearly. There came a point when Kuraisha could no longer work, causing her and the family significant financial strain. As days passed, she started worrying about becoming dependent on others.

However, one day, her son’s friend advised her to visit our partner, LNJP Eye Hospital in Kajha, around 20 km from her place. After consulting with the doctors, Kuraisha was advised to undergo surgery for the cataract. Her surgery was successful and free of cost under the project supported by CBM India.

Following the surgery, Kuraisha’s vision was restored. She slowly regained her freedom and could carry out activities she had previously struggled with, such as spending time with her grandchildren and contributing to household chores. Although she cannot resume her business of selling bangles due to her age, she feels more independent and comfortable in her daily life. Kuraisha is filled with joy and thanks the team and the project for the treatment that changed her life.

CBM India has been working in eye care for over 50 years partnering with government and private organisations to provide quality eye care to people with disabilities and marginalised communities. Join us to ensure accessible eyecare and end preventable blindness.

The Improved Cook Stoves are designed to burn fuel more efficiently, which means less wood, charcoal, or other biomass is needed to cook a meal. This leads to lower emissions of greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants that contribute to climate change. By reducing fuel wood consumption by 50%, the Improved Cook Stoves also promote reforestation.

In addition to its positive environmental impact, the project significantly improves women’s quality of life. The Improved Cook Stoves will reduce indoor air pollution by 70%, improving women’s health and leading to fewer cases of eye irritability and diseases like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Moreover, women who spend a considerable amount of time and energy collecting wood and cooking benefit from the time saved due to the efficiency of these stoves.

The project is expected to significantly contribute to the fight against climate change by reducing carbon emissions by 30,168 tons. This is equivalent to reducing the carbon footprint of 2,400 families by 4.19 tons over 36 months. Moreover, the project will generate significant revenue over 4 years from the sale of Carbon Offsets. These credits for reducing greenhouse gases can be sold to individuals and companies to offset their own carbon footprint. The demand for carbon offsets has increased as more businesses seek to reduce their environmental impact. The revenue generated from the sale of these offsets, estimated to be between ₹ 2.8 to 3.0 Crore, will support the project’s sustainability and improve the lives of people in the area for years to come.

The project will reach 2406 households, including 243 persons with disabilities and directly contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 1, 3, 5, 8, and 13. So far, we have formed 45 inclusive Self-help Groups and organised awareness meetings in 50 villages.

This project demonstrates that sustainable energy solutions have the potential to make a significant impact by reducing carbon emissions, improving the quality of life, and generating revenue. With each household reducing its carbon footprint, every woman breathing cleaner air, and children living in a healthier environment, this project is a rallying call to invest in our people and planet to create a sustainable and equitable future for all.

Nivedhan was born with clubfoot, and although doctors had advised his parents to seek treatment back then, the family couldn’t afford the treatment or surgery. They also believed it was a religious taboo, so they decided to defer the treatment.

Years went by, and Nivedhan grew up facing challenges in performing everyday activities and found it difficult to walk, play, and attend school. Despite these obstacles, Nivedhan remained a studious and determined child. Then his family moved to Rural Bengaluru district to live with his grandfather.

Our staff noticed Nivedhan during a Community-Based Rehabilitation meeting in his community. The team visited Nivedhan’s home and school, assessed the situation, and discussed further treatment with his family. They offered support to address the family’s financial concerns.

Nivedhan’s aunt took charge and brought him to St. John’s Hospital, where doctors recommended surgery to correct the neglected clubfoot. Nivedhan underwent the procedure and a careful rehabilitation process post-surgery. Now, Nivedhan can walk, play, and go to school with greater ease and comfort!

With regular follow-up care from health workers, Nivedhan is overcoming the limitations that had once held him back. He also got his Unique Disability ID and is currently receiving a pension. Through Dhwani Foundation, a group for persons with disability, the family has also learned about all the government resources and other support available to them.

Nivedhan and his family have shed their beliefs in myths and taboos surrounding disability, becoming advocates for seeking proper medical care. Nivedhan’s daily activities are now effortless, allowing him to focus on his studies as an 8th-grader. With his physical limitations a thing of the past, he fully embraces his childhood and all the joy and adventures that come with it.

CBM India in partnership with Cure India runs community-based clubfoot rehabilitation programmes across India. In Bengaluru, CBM India works with the Unit of Hope, a dedicated unit for children with disabilities at St. John’s Medical College, providing support for children with disabilities. Here, we have a dedicated team that works tirelessly to provide life-changing rehabilitation services for children with clubfoot.

CBM India’s community workers also conduct regular screenings along with frequent awareness programmes, mobilisation, and referrals to identify children and families that require support. Our awareness activities have reached one lakh people in Bengaluru alone.

We imagine a world where every child born with clubfoot has the ability to move freely, where every step is a step towards a brighter future. This is the dream we’re working towards. Join us in our mission to secure the footing of every child born with clubfoot in India.

One day, an awareness campaign about CBM India’s vision restoration initiative caught his attention. Mangilal visited the Sirali Vision Centre (VC) for a check-up. At the VC, he was diagnosed with cataracts and required surgery. He got the help he needed from an experienced team to restore his vision – giving him a new lease on life!

Thanks to this treatment, he can safely move around independently and find employment opportunities again. Mangilal has gotten a second chance at life! Now, he looks forward to fulfilling his dreams of providing a better future for himself and his family.

CBM India, in partnership with Standard Chartered Bank, equipped 50 Vision Centres in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh to prevent avoidable blindness and ensure quality eye health services in India. These VCs provide comprehensive screening for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy alongside screening for refractive errors, cataracts, and other eye-related issues. We also do active community outreach to identify people like Mangilal and help them access the healthcare they need. These centres are inclusive and barrier-free, with accessible physical infrastructure that ensures access to persons with disabilities, the elderly, and pregnant women.

By 2023, CBM India will establish 117 fully functional Vision Centres in 8 states of India, bringing quality eye care services to approx. 58,50,000 people in 59 districts. More than 15,73,317 people will get their vision checked, and over 83,611 will be referred to base hospitals for surgery. We will also train over 2,600 allied health workers in eye care and disability inclusion, providing access to our service for over 10,000 people with disabilities. We are working to create inclusive eye care for all and to end preventable blindness in India.

Our Safe Drinking Water Management & Sustainability project is designed to improve the health of households through safe drinking water practices. This project is helping nearly 2,000 families, including 200 individuals with disabilities, in 15 villages of the Balangir District in Odisha, India. It directly supports the Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

As part of this project, 2,000 WADI devices and bottles have been distributed to families. WADI is a UV indicator device that uses natural UV radiation to disinfect water contaminated with bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. This method stores water in transparent containers and exposes it to direct sunlight. The WADI device determines when the water has been adequately disinfected and is safe to drink. It is easy to use, requires minimal maintenance, has no spare parts, and is environmentally friendly. A wide range of people, including individuals with disabilities, can use it.

The device helps them skip boiling the water, saving them time, effort, and firewood, and improves the quality of drinking water. Baidei’s sister-in-law expressed gratitude for providing them with the device that has made their daily life easier and the family healthier.

In addition to distributing the WADI devices, we also raise awareness in the community about rights and entitlements related to water and sanitation, as well as government schemes that can help ensure safe water for everyone, including persons with disabilities. This project aims to reduce the prevalence of waterborne diseases in the community, which will help reduce medical costs and improve the overall health of families. It will also save them a lot of time and effort by reducing the need to boil water using firewood.

A few years later, we encountered a neurosurgeon who identified a tumour in my spinal cord. We were shocked. Upon the doctor’s recommendation, I underwent surgery in 2018. Unfortunately, the procedure was unsuccessful, causing permanent damage to my spinal cord. It paralysed me, restricting me to my bed for the past four years.

My parents and I live in the Amravati District, Maharashtra. My mother quit her job as a daily wage labourer to care for and support me. Her leaving her job and my being paralysed cut our family income by half. At 36 years of age, I felt like I could not contribute in any way.

Negative thoughts clouded my mind when I was confined to a room without a window: without any means of communicating with the outside world. I wished for a window. I wanted to feel the wind, the days transitioning to nights, and talk to my neighbours.

CBM India Trust and The Leprosy Mission Trust India reached out to me through the Udaan Project in 2020. They helped me get my disability certificate, a pension of Rs. 1000/-per month, and membership in the Organisation of People with Disabilities.

When Mr Suresh Donge, Project Udaan Programme Manager, visited our residence, he asked me about my dreams and needs. I told him I longed for a window to look out of. Within a week, they installed a window where I could see the clouds and sun, feel the breeze, and talk to my friends and relatives. I felt like I was part of the world again. The project team also gave us ideas to improve our financial situation and encouraged us to start a catering business.

At the SCD Eye Hospital, Manasi attended an eye health screening camp conducted with the help of CBM India Trust for school children at the B.R. Ambedkar High School in Balangir, Odisha. A total of 239 school students underwent screening, of which seven received spectacles, eye drops, and medicines for their vision improvement. Manasi’s eye test results indicated the formation of cataracts in both her eyes.

The next day, Manasi and her parents consulted the doctors, rechecked her vision, and confirmed the development of bilateral cataracts in her eyes. Her parents, worried about the cost involved in the surgeries and consequent treatments, were informed about the Odisha government’s Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) scheme that covers eye surgery and treatment procedures. Manasi had a pre-operative eye test before undergoing surgery on her right eye. After the operation, the follow-up test showed improvement in her vision.

Back at school, the letters on the blackboard became clearer. Manasi does not fumble anymore for items in the kirana store; instead, she now runs the store all by herself! She looks forward to her left eye surgery later this year.