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Dear Colleagues:
The Eid holiday has just passed and
the lights of Hanukkah and Christmas are about to be lit, bringing with
them a sense of joy and renewed hope. Outside my office window here at
Overbrook the first big snow storm of the year is howling. This is a nice
day to be inside in a warm and comfortable space with time to reflect
on the year that is ending and to look ahead.
As I look back over the past year I am struck by just
how much ICEVI has changed and how much we all have to be thankful for.
Our organization has taken some bold steps forward this year, moving from
the comfort zone of a familiar routine to face new challenges in new ways.
Often such changes bring with them a fear of the unknown; but curiously
that has not been the case, and I think I know why.
Any anxiety that might have been provoked by change has been eased by
our members and supporters whose advice, encouragement and financial contributions
have made these steps so much easier.
I will not enumerate these many changes and new developments
here because you will find them on the pages that follow.
However, this seems the perfect opportunity to acknowledge,
on your behalf, the many organizations that have made possible our work
in 2003. While we have received support in many forms and at many levels,
I would like to extend a special word of thanks to CBM, ONCE, SSI and
the Asian Foundation for the Prevention of Blindness who have made the
decision to join us as "international partners" in our campaign
to create equal access for visually impaired children and youth everywhere.
The Drs. Richard Charles and Esther Yewpick Lee Charitable Foundation
has continued to provide critical support to our work in Africa, Asia
and Latin America which this year alone has reached more than 3500 teachers,
55000 children and families.
Of course none of what we have achieved would be possible
without the hard work of our Executive Committee, Regional Committees
and a Secretariat headed by the most energetic Secretary-General that
any organization could hope for.
As I look ahead to 2004 I am excited about new opportunities
that will allow us to build upon the achievements of the past year. We
are developing a strong relationship with the Lions Clubs International
Foundation that I believe will soon bring global attention to the needs
of the vast majority of visually impaired children who are without access
to education. In early 2004, ICEVI will launch a campaign that will engage
schools and other organizations throughout the world in a global effort
to address the yet unmet needs of more than 5 million children with visual
impairment.
May I wish each of you a happy, healthy and peaceful 2004. Let us join
hands and pledge to work together to make the year ahead the best ever
for ICEVI and for the children and families we serve.
Sincerely,
Larry Campbell
President
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