The ORBIS 500 Club has been established to support ORBIS Ireland's specific project -- to eliminate blinding trachoma in the Gamo Gofa, Konso and Derashe regions of Ethiopia by 2012.

In Ethiopia, blinding trachoma is so acute that 10 million people from a population of just over 70 million are infected. Trachoma is a highly contagious eye disease that can lead to blindness if left untreated. In Gamo Gofa, Konso and Derashe, 70 percent of the population -- including 500,000 children -- are infected with trachoma.

Membership benefits

By committing a donation of €500 for the next five years, you can play a crucial role in ending avoidable blindness in this rural part of Ethiopia.To put this in context, the support of a single patron will buy enough antibiotics to save the sight of as many as 900 children.

With your support, the current generation of children will be the first to grow up without being blighted by trachoma. More will be able to attend school instead of staying home to care for blind relatives. By helping to eliminate trachoma in Ethiopia, you will help free families from the cycle of poverty and provide a firm foundation for economic progress.

As a member of the ORBIS 500 Club, you will receive updates on the progress of this project.  You will also receive an invitation to our annual social event featuring members of the ORBIS Ethiopia team outlining for club members the key issues surrounding this ORBIS initiative. 

To join the ORBIS 500 Club, please e-mail info@ie.orbis.org or call 01 293 3060.