Lichtblicke für Kinder in Ethipopia
MD 111 - Germany
A German success story for 11 years now has been the project “Lichtblicke für
Kinder”, which is carried out together with the Christian Blind Mission e.V. and the
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Thanks to a cooperation with the RTL Foundation, the German Lions are able to
build children's eye clinics, equip them with the necessary equipment and thus
improve eye health in other developing countries, primarily in Africa
This time the choice of location fell on the Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, a harsh
landlocked country in the Horn of Africa. Here people have almost the lowest per
capita income in the world. Due to great poverty and poor hygienic conditions, the
degree of visual disturbances or even blindness is extremely high. Not only social
exclusion but also economic consequences lead the sick to a spiral of further poverty
with unforeseen consequences.
If you consider the effects of visual impairment and blindness, especially in children,
it quickly becomes clear that a vicious circle arises here in two ways. Access to
education for sick children is extremely difficult from an early age. Starting with the
fact that the parents of affected children are ashamed, they hide the sick from the
public, restrict social development in the long term and not only do not allow them to
receive the necessary medical information for financial reasons.
It is often forgotten that certain diseases such as cataract and river blindness can for
the most part be treated well and even cured. For this reason, the German Lions
have decided to make their contribution to humanitarian aid precisely in this area of
ophthalmology, especially for children.
For the project in Menelik II Hospital at the University of Addis Ababa, special
ophthalmology offers for children are being strengthened.
For this project in Ethiopia, the German Lions and their foundation raised €
715,128.00 in donations last year. In addition, there is an additional € 500,000 from
the German state and € 500,000 from the RTL foundation “We Help Children”. A winwin
situation for everyone involved.
Measures can already be taken in newborns to prevent the progression of a visual
impairment. However, the treatment of the youngest is not without problems and
requires a good and intensive training of the medical profession. Small children often
have to be operated on under anesthesia, which requires high standards and
specialization from the anesthetist.
Despite the high demand for pediatric eye centers, the number of skilled workers is
not sufficient to adequately care for the population in Ethiopia.
This is where the German Lions have been working with their projects for years. The
investments range from the construction of ophthalmological clinics, additional
operating theaters, especially for pediatric treatments, through the training of
specialists to the procurement of high-quality equipment and consumables.
Anyone who has ever experienced the joy and the incredulous amazement of
patients when a child, but also an adult, has the eye patch removed after an
operation, knows what a privilege it is to be able to see. Communicating with others,
being able to participate in life again and no longer being excluded means much
more than just being able to see again, it means access to society, to education and
it means a first step out of poverty. It is these facts that inspire the German Lions to
continue enthusiastically on the path they have chosen and to generate donations for
"Lichtblicke für Kinder" without ceasing.
Every happy smile says more than words, it is pure emotion.
PDG Barbara Goetz
MD Coordinator District 111 Germany
Source: German Lions Foundation