“Shining Light in Darkness: The American Friends of the Blind in Greece Lights the Path for the Blind Community in Greece.”

On the Sunday of the Blind Man, Orthodox Christians are reminded of the work of Jesus as He healed the blind man by the pool. Jesus anointed the man's eyes with the clay, saying to him, “'Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.' So he went and washed and came back seeing" (John 9:1-38).

Imagine what joy this man must have felt, suddenly receiving his sight. Unfortunately, hundreds of blind Greeks are living in a world shrouded in darkness, unable to fend for themselves and lacking the skills and resources to move forward. The American Friends of the Blind in Greece, formed in 1946, emerged as a beacon of hope and compassion for these people.

Guided by the principle of “filotimo,” this charitable organization has supported critical programs that allow the blind in Greece to grow through education, skills, and employment. The visually impaired learn essential skills for leading dignified, independent, activity-rich lives in programs that include:

· Classes in reading and typing Braille

· Social services and counseling for the blind and their families

· A safe fitness center

· Training in independent living and mobility skills

· Software to aid in reading web-based materials

· Theater of the Blind

· Choir of the Blind

· Ceramic, Textile, and Broom Workshops

· Dance Troupe

The organization also sponsors the Braille Print Shop and supports the Lending Library, which has the largest collection of braille materials in Greece.

Beyond just skills and employment, the American Friends of the Blind in Greece also supports programs that enrich and bring joy to the lives of the sightless in Greece: The Tactual Museum is one of only four museums worldwide that allow visitors to appreciate replicas of masterpieces through touch.

While Greece has been recovering from its financial crisis, that recovery has not reached the blind population in Greece. In the national and local Greek government, funding for the blind has never rebounded, and support from local Greek-based charities has disappeared. Blind workers have been laid off from struggling Greek companies. Credit from suppliers of visual aids and materials for the blind workshops has been withdrawn. Staffing for programs helping the sightless has been decimated.

In the face of this, the American Friends of the Blind in Greece maintains a vital lifeline, continues to expand its reach and impact, and remains steadfast in its commitment to serving the needs of blind individuals in Greece. However, it can only do this through a community effort.

For more information about the American Friends of the Blind in Greece, to learn about the programs they support, and to find out how to donate, please visit friendsoftheblind.org or contact them at ([email protected])

AFBG’s Mission

The American Friends of the Blind in Greece is dedicated to improving the lives of Greece’s blind and severely sight-impaired people by identifying, acquiring, and delivering the best possible resources and opportunities available to organizations working to improve the lives of Greece’s blind and severely sight-impaired people.