BAFFEI

BAFFEI is the acronym for Blind aid Foundation for Ethiopia & India. This is a voluntary organisation founded by Fr. Varughese Joseph. BAFFEI was officially inaugurated by the Ethiopian Patriarch on 3 rd July 2004, the St.Thomas Day.

Fr. Varughese Joseph

Popularly known as Sajiachan, Fr. Varughese is a young priest of the Indian Orthodox Church. He is a native of Niranam, a small village in the Kerala State of India. He is a member of the St. Thomas Ashram, Attappadi and works for the welfare of the tribals in the region.

Currently, he is in Ethiopia, as a teacher in a Theological College of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

The Origin of BAFFEI

Sajiachan believes that it was God's plan that brought him to Ethiopia.

From the very first day in Ethiopia, he had noticed large number of blind people, who belonged to all age groups. It was a heart-breaking sight.

One day, he met a blind person - Mr. Abera, who is a teacher in a school. He had lost his sight at the age of 7, by Germen Measles. Now he is 26, and passed B.A English, by using Braille System. Abera is the breadwinner of the whole family, consisting of his mother and two younger sisters who live in a one room house, with its one corner as kitchen and other corner as washing room. The entire expenses of the house, including the studies of his young sisters has to be met with his monthly salary of 600 Eth. Birr, which is about Rs.3000.

May 11 was the ordination anniversary of Fr. Varughese and he visited Abera's house with some sweets. At that time Mr Abera told others, "all of you can see this Indian Father, but I can only hear him. If I get some money, I shall transplant my cornea and get sight". The earnest desire of a blind person to see the wonderful creation of God touched Sajiachan's heart.

During that night, he could not sleep well. He kneeled down before the small 'altar' in his room and prayed. He experienced God speaking to him, to do something to the blind. He decided to dedicate his efforts and earnings for their welfare. In his own words "Even though I had signed to donate my eyes to the eye bank, now I am willing to give one of my eyes to a blind, when I am alive itself."

That night saw the birth of the endeavour called ' Blind Aid Foundation for Ethiopia and India'. Fr. Varughese believes that though he is not a holy person who can give sight to blind through a miracle, he can help them to attain sight through BAFFEI.