Grarbet Tehadiso Mahber

Grarbet Tehadiso Maheber (GTM) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to the treatment and rehabilitation of persons with epilepsy, post polio paralysis, hard hearing and visual impairment. Services for these vulnerable communities include heath education, trachoma control, the provision of potable water and improvement of environmental sanitation. GTM also provides vocational skills training for persons with disabilities.

VISION

Our vision is to see an “Ethiopia where avoidable blindness is eliminated and people with disabilities rehabilitated to become productive citizens with an improved quality of life”.

MISSION

Our mission is to work towards minimizing blinding diseases and rehabilitate the physically disabled in rural Ethiopia.

VALUES

Actively participate in the national efforts to eliminate preventable blindness
Work for self-reliance of the disabled
Work to change negative attitudes towards the disabled
Support inclusive action
Deliver ethical services for all without discrimination
Provide an affordable and quality service
Cooperate with like-minded partners to eliminate preventable blindness and other physical disabilities
Value the input of our stakeholders
Be committed to help the disabled to use their potential to be productive
Work for the benefit of the users of our services
Be gender sensitive and give emphasis to women and children.

OBJECTIVES

To establish a community-based rehabilitation service for the disabled
To rehabilitate the physically disabled with physiotherapy and the provision of aids and appliances as well as corrective surgery
To provide ophthalmologic services to patients with eye diseases and visual impairment
To provide optometry services through the production and provision of low-cost spectacles
To prevent trachoma control through effective use of the SAFE strategy (Surgery, Antibiotics, Face Washing, Environmental sanitation)
To provide medical treatment and counseling to persons affected by epilepsy
To provide skills training to blinds and the physically disabled
To provide ENT services including audiometry, hearing aid and sign language
To conduct relevant research in collaboration with local and international health institutions engaged in health and disability related research.