Light for the World is an international disability and development NGO aiming at an inclusive society. The organisation currently supports projects in Sub-Saharan Africa — including: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, South Sudan and Uganda dedicated to the restoration of eyesight, prevention of blindness, rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, inclusive education and promotion of their human rights.
Organisation
Following a major change in governance in early 2016, the organisational structure of Light for the World is that of an international organisation with fully integrated core members and autonomous associated members. In 2008 a formal agreement of confederation had been signed by member organisations in Austria, Belgium and Czech Republic in order to strengthen collaboration and improve opportunities to distribute funds and resources. In April 2011, Dutch NGO Dark and Light joined Light for the World. Country Offices currently operate in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, South Sudan, and Uganda.
Core members: Licht für die Welt - Christoffel Entwicklungszusammenarbeit (Austria) Svĕtlo pro Svĕt (Czech Republic) Light for the World- Licht für die Welt e.V. (Germany) Licht für die Welt- Lumière pour le Monde (Switzerland) Light for the World USA Inc. (United States of America) Associated members: Licht voor de Wereld - Lumière pour le Monde (Belgium)
The overall income of the confederation Light for the World in 2019 was €21.95 million. The foundation of the work is built on the commitment of over 150,000 individuals, who account for more than 50% of total revenue. Around 23% came from public bodies – mainly the European Union, the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), and the Czech Development Cooperation.
History
Austria
The Austrian organisation Licht für die Welt was founded in 1988 in Vienna under the name "Christoffel-Blindenmission Austria". Among the first projects of the young Austrian organisation were eye care units and rehabilitation programs in Ethiopia and Kenya. In 2004, the Austrian organisation changed its name to Licht für die Welt - Christoffel-Entwicklungszusammenarbeit, the German language equivalent of Light for the World. In the same year Austrian Federal President, Dr. Heinz Fischer, became patron of Licht für die Welt. In 2008 a formal agreement of confederation was signed by Light for the World in Austria, Belgium and Czech Republic in order to strengthen the collaboration in the program countries and to improve opportunities to distribute funds and resources. In 2010, Austrian Licht für die Welt and Dutch Dark and Light struck an agreement with regard to projects on which they collaborated. LICHT FÜR DIE WELT took over responsibility for projects in Ethiopia and Pakistan, and Dark and Light did the same in Nepal and Sudan.
Belgium
The Belgian organisation was founded in 1997 under the name of Christian Blind Mission Belgium. One of the first programs supported was CCBRT – an orthopaedic and eye care hospital and rehabilitation program in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Throughout 2003 CBM Belgium performed the first cateract surgery on children at Kabgayi Eye Hospital in Muhanga, Rwandaformer Gitarama, which is a major milestone in the organisations history. In 2008 CBM Belgium becomes Licht voor de Wereld the Dutch equivalent to Light for the World through a formal agreement of confederation, which resulted in stronger cooperation with the Austrian & Czech equivalent. In recent year milestones include: opening of Saint Joseph Eye Hospital in Likasi, Congo; the launch of an inclusive education project in Lubumbashi, Congo and the opening of the Mwangaza eye hospital in Kolwezi, Congo.
Czech Republic
In July 2007, the Czech organisation Svĕtlo pro Svĕt was founded in Prague supporting programs in Ethiopia. In 2008 Svĕtlo pro Svĕt joined a formal agreement of confederation by the organisations in Austria, Belgium and the Czech Republic in order to expand joint efforts on various programs.
Germany
Founded on 28 November 2014 Licht für die Welt Deutschland was born in Munich. In October 2015 Licht für die Welt Deutschland was one of the founding members of Light for the World International, the umbrella organization under which the different branches operate today. Due to trademark issues on the 1.1.2021 Licht für die Welt Deutschland changed their name to Light for the World - Licht für die Welt e.V..