We recently finished another eye surgery camp in the Middle East and we where again encouraged by the wonderful results that this works is producing. Many patients came for screening, surgery and post-op care and we could give our time and skills to these patients from different nations, cultures and religions. It is just overwhelming at times. Also, the team that was performing the camp came from many parts of the word: India, Canada, UK, The Netherlands, Palestine, Lebanon, US, and Syria.

The day after surgery....

The picture shows how patients gather for in the room the day after surgery. All the people with sunglasses received an operation the day before.

Preparation for the next clinics has already started and we are, as always, open to receive volunteers during these clinics. do you have interest? let us know! Click here an fill out the contact form. Are you able to support us financially? Get involved and bless the folks who cannot provide for themselves.

Thank you all for your continued support.

For the DFI Team,

Robert Pelgrim

The graduates with toolbox and certificate

What do you do when you had to leave school because you failed? For most of the youth in the Refugee Camps in the Middle East it is a big question. No further education, no jobs, no future. Just sit at home then and be bored every day.

Here is where we are trying to make a difference. In cooperation with another non-profit we our managing a center where we train around 40 young men during the year. We teach them electrical and plumbing skills, but even more important, we teach them some work routine and coach them how to find a job. It is giving these young men some hope for the future. A future other then drugs, alcohol and violence.

Whenever you see something that looks hopeless and hurting in your neighborhood, your work or during your travels, try to leave something behind that makes a difference. It can have a huge impact if we would all do so.

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,

Robert Pelgrim

The group from Jordan out for dinner

Often we have visitors from the US or Europe over in Beirut which gives wonderful opportunities to exchange information and to connect them with our relational network in the region. This time we had guest from Jordan over. East-West Initiatives, based in Jordan, initiated the visit and so 6 young people came over for a few days.

They came to visit the Student -Lounge in the Hamra area in Beirut were University student have a safe and affordable location to chill out or to do their work.

The Refugee Camp in the Southern area of Beirut was also what they wanted to visit, since most, if not all, of our visitors have the same heritage as the people living there. It turned out a very deep and shocking experience for our Jordanian visitors as it made them aware of the huge difference there is for them and the people who live in the camps… a ‘dark and light’ experience, may be even ‘life and death’….

If you want to read some more on the subject of the Refugees in Lebanon click here.

Besides all the ‘hard work’ we had some very good times to relax and catch-up with them. It was good to have these folks over and see what exchange of experience can do.! God is good!

Does this look colorful...?

Dear friends,

What if you couldn’t see this picture well? What if you had a vision reduced to 20% or less and no-one to go to? That’s were we want to make a difference!

For the coming 18 months DFI has scheduled 9(!) Eye Surgery Clinics in the Middle-East region. Lebanon, Yemen and Syria are the countries we plan to work in and, although some are still tentative, it looks that the coming season will be of great opportunities to serve the poor, encourage local surgeons and build relationships across borders. In that way we aim to accomplish our purpose to bring people from around the world in long-lasting friendships! Have a look at our Calender for more info.

There are many ways for you to be involved in this effort as well. Why don’t you drop a line through our contact page and see how that might work out!

Thank you for your continued support!

Robert Pelgrim

Executive Director

Dr. Janak Shaw with one of the patients.

Dr. Janak Shaw, Ophthalmologist/Surgeon and member of the DFI Board of Directors writes:“I landed into Sanaa’, Yemen on Friday, April 16th to start the eye clinic which was scheduled for 3 days starting on April 17th.

We arrived at 8.00 AM at the Gumhouri Government Hospital to screen the patients. We screened patients and then went into the operation theatre to start surgeries.

In the three days that followed we did 56 surgeries and it was a pleasure to teach the local Ophthalmologists, specially the local host, Dr Qamhan.

Surgeries expanded from children to adults and surgeries ranged from cataract to glaucoma to squint surgery.

A great example of successful surgery!

Interestingly I saw this mentally deprived patient who had mature cataract in both eyes and we decided to operate on him under topical anesthesia. It took 10 minutes to do the surgery and the patient is so happy today as he can see the world and he is extremely thankful and grateful that we could make a difference to his life.

It was a very rewarding trip and DFI will be going again in November for a repeat clinic.

Dr Najmalddin Qamhan, the local host doctor, was very helpful and is a good surgeon. I am grateful to him for arranging this clinic.”

I have visited the work in Lebanon of my friends at the Development Foundation International. They are putting into action the words of Jesus when he said “Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God.” — Tony Hall

Hon. Tony Hall, former US Congressman, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Food program and three-time Nobel Prize nominee.

President Barack Obama

On Thursday February 5, 2009 the entire DFI Board of Directors will attend the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC. The NPB is an annual event bringing together people from around the world to share in unity, faith and prayer for peace and justice in the world. The President of the United States, together with Members of Congress have annually joined this event.

Development Foundation International is serving the poor and disadvantaged people in the Middle East by providing high level care. In the picture DFI’s Robert Pelgrim with a couple from the Bedouin community.