Every Tuesday on PAL an assessment of an NGO is published by expert and author of the book ‘How good is the charity?’ Thierry Debels. We then continue the series with Light for the World Belgium.
Light for the World is an international disability and development NGO that strives for an inclusive society. The organization currently supports projects in Sub-Saharan Africa – including: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, South Sudan and Uganda dedicated to the restoration of sight, prevention of blindness, rehabilitation of people with disabilities, inclusive education and the promotion of their human rights.
What are the main objectives of the NGO?
Thierry Debels: “With the support of local partners, experts, donors and business partners, Light for the World Belgium has been breaking the vicious circle of blindness for more than 25 years. They improve access to medical care and help visually impaired people integrate into society. Together they provide insight into a better life.”
Key figures Light for the World
- Revenue 2022: 2,125,967 euros (gross margin)
- Total subsidies 2022: unknown (but in 2022: provisions for repayable subsidies and legacies and for donations with right of withdrawal amounting to 150,000 euros)
- Fundraising 2022: 1,982,408 euros (donations)
- Employees: 10.9 FTE
- Shareholders’ equity at the end of 2022: 1,601,497 euros
- Last annual result: loss of 944,357 euros
Directors: Kris Van Kerkhoven (Fundraising and Communication) and Koen Lein (Programs) (based on 2022 data) - NGO score: 6/10
How much per 100 euros actually goes to charity?
“Based on 2022 data, we see that 10 percent of expenditure goes to fundraising and communication and 11 percent to administration and infrastructure”
Is the organization politically neutral? What is the ideological origin?
“In 1997, Light for the World was founded under the name Christian Mission for the Blind (CBM) and the first project was started: the CCBRT hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. CCBRT stands for Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation Tanzania.”
Does the organization have a preference in terms of state structure? Openly pro-Belgian or Flemish or rather neutral?
“The organization is embedded in an international structure and is Belgian. Since 2008, Light for the World Belgium has been part of Light for the World International. This international organization has eight member organizations that together support more than 180 projects in 15 countries.”
What was the most important achievement of the NGO in the past year?
“In Congo, Light for the World supports four eye hospitals: Sainte Yvonne in Lubumbashi, Saint Joseph in Likasi, Saint Raphaël in Mbuji Mayi and Mwangaza Kolwezi. In 2021, together with the Institut Médical Chrétien du Kasaï (IMCK), the construction of a fifth eye hospital in the metropolis of Kananga: Mulami Muimpe started. This was completed in 2022 and the opening was planned for 2023. The opening was on September 27 of that year.”
What was the biggest setback or failure for the NGO last year?
“The Belgian NGO suffered losses in both 2021 and 2022. In 2022, the loss even amounted to almost one million euros, which is quite a lot for an NGO of that limited size. We found no explanation.”
Did you come across anything worth mentioning during your research?
“In terms of information, given those financial results, I was still a bit at a loss. Compared to other NGOs, the data on this point is on the poor side.”
Suppose someone wanted to support the goals of this NGO, what score, from 1 to 10, would you give this organization to determine whether it is worth supporting?
Debels: “This NGO is still somewhat in the old tradition of only reporting positive news. I would have liked to read more about the tough losses of 2021 and especially 2022. What is the reason and what is being done about it? What happened next in 2023? Has the tide been turned or not? Apart from that, the objective is of course honorable and the embedding in an international structure is a plus. So a six.”
