Christopher Jator Njechu
3 April 2008
Within the framework of making a difference in the lives of people vulnerable to avoidable eye diseases, the Standard Chartered Bank, SCB, Cameroon, organised a fund raising at the residence of the British High Commissioner in Yaounde on March 28.
The objective was to have people donate financially and generously to fund surgical operations of avoidable eye diseases like cataract within the bank's 'Seeing is Believing, SiB' project that aims to restore the sight of 28,000 people across the world.
The occasion that took place in the Bastos neighbourhood was the third phase of SiB intended to raise US $ 10 million to make a difference to the lives of 10 million people across 20 countries by 2010.
Though the amount so far raised during the occasion would only be disclosed at a meeting of staff of the bank later this week, from the pledges made and goods auctioned, it can rightly be said millions of FCFA were raised.
Speaking during the occasion, the chief Executive Officer of SCB Cameroon, Mathieu Mandeng, exhorted invitees to voluntarily contribute in the light of the group's philanthropy to save visually disabled persons in our society.
He said: "Eliminating avoidable blindness doesn't take a miracle. It takes innovation, money, commitment, goodwill and good governance. We hope to continue our journey of making life better for the less fortunate."
The fundraising was attended, among others, by members of the diplomatic corps, top government officials and members of the civil society.It was moderated by CRTV's Mabi Azefor Fominyin and Wally Ambroise, who combined lip service with a cajoling desire to give, thereby attracting popular sympathy for the blind and many to dig deep in their pockets repeatedly.
Ndemeyama Mobitang, Chief Medical Doctor of Ad Lucem Hospital in Bali - Douala, pleaded for more support, adding that Ad Lucem Hospital benefited from the same SiB project with the construction of an FCFA-47 million Cataract Surgery Unit in 2004, through the bank's partnership with the Christian Blind Mission (now called Blind Mission).
The cost of a surgery at the centre with a capacity of over 500 surgeries a year, is less than FCFA 50,000, a lot less than what it would otherwise cost a patient at some of our public and private hospitals (about FCFA 200,000).
Meanwhile, the British High Commissioner to Cameroon, Sydd Madicott, reiterated the importance of helping the visually impaired people across the world.He said they are an integral part of society and thus merit our support. He said the High Commission decided to host the occasion because SCB is a British institution.
Combating Cataract
"'Seeing is Believing" has changed millions of people's lives across the world and helped not only those directly affected by blindness but those within their families, communities and even countries.
In 2007, the Standard Chartered Group put this money into use to make a difference in the lives of people vulnerable to avoidable eye diseases. We have carried out five outreach visits to local communities around the Littoral Province in a bid to reach the most vulnerable populations, and educate them on prevention against these infections and where necessary, provide them with surgery, glasses or free eye drops. We have visited Mouanko, Yabassi, Mbanga, Bonepoipa and Edea."
Rehabilitation Of The Blind
In the course of the ceremony, some visually impaired people who were present testified to the help they receive via rehabilitation. Artists like Coco Bertin, visually impaired, and other youths of the same category performed a drama which demonstrated that loving a blind person is as harmless as playing with a toy.
SiB Launching
In 2003, to celebrate the bank's 150th anniversary, the Standard Chartered Group, in collaboration with leading eye care agencies, launched Seeing is Believing, SiB, with the aim of restoring the sight of 28,000 people across the world.
Such was the enthusiasm with which the staff adopted the challenge. That year the bank achieved twice its initial target. Since then, the ambition of SiB has grown exponentially. In Phase II, US$ 6 million was raised to contribute to one million sight restorations. This goal was achieved by World Sight Day 2007.
The bank exceeded its target of US$ 10 million, three years ahead of schedule. Building on this success, a new and more ambitious vision for SiB is proposed, focusing on urban poorest populations. This will be the Phase IV.
Wanting to do more for the less fortunate members of the community, the bank organised fund raising activities in Douala and Yaounde in 2006. The events were attended by well over 600 guests donating generously.
The Bank
Standard Chartered aspires to be the best international bank in its markets through leading by example to be the right partner for its stakeholders. The group now employs 73,000 people, representing 115 nationalities, in more than 1,700 branches and outlets located in over 70 countries.
The bank derives more than 90 percent of its operating income and profits from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, with balanced income derived from both wholesale and consumer banking. The group is committed to upholding high social responsibility.
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