COUNTDOWN BEGINS!

Kisumu, Kenya: The countdown for the Annual Multiple District Convention is narrowing down to single digit in few days to come and with it the eleventh hour rush, mounting tension and safari preparations for Lions and families are all in top gear. Hundreds of Lions from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and the Seychelles will gather in the  town of Kisumu in Kenya to review their activities and elect top leaders for 2014/2015.

The Multiple District 411 is composed of two sub districts namely 411 A (Kenya, Ethiopia and the Seychelles) and 411 B (Tanzania and Uganda). Kisumu is the venue where the two Governors Lion Wilson N. Ndesanjo for Sub District 411B and Governor Lion Teja S. Kalsi for Sub District 411A will hold their respective Cabinet Meetings and review their past performance and give appreciations awards and recognitions to Lion members under their respective umbrellas.

This is also the venue where all the Lions from five Eastern African countries will renew their friendship and also make new contacts with new Lions or potential "Lions".

The historical picture taken not so long ago at Hamburg, Germany where Governor Elect  Lion Wilson N. Ndesanjo (left) and Governor Elect  Lion Teja S. Kalsi (right) were installed as District Governors for their respective Sub Districts A & B. The First Ladies of  their respective Sub Districts seen with their Spouses. In few weeks time, after the elections and completion of twelve months, they will be permanently called Past District Governor!

 

 

 

11th MD 411 CONVENTION PROGRAMME 1ST MAY TO 4TH MAY 2014, KISUMU, KENYA. OVERALL GENERAL PROGRAMME

WEDNESDAY 30^thAPRIL 2014

 

PM                                          Arrival of Governors

5.00 p.m. – 7.30 p.m.            Council of Governors Meeting 411A & 411B - Sovereign Hotel

8.00 p.m.         M.D. 411 Leadership Private Dinner - Sovereign Hotel

THURSDAY 1^stMAY 2014

AM                                         Arrival of Cabinet Officers

9.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m.             Registration for Convention Delegates - Tom Mboya (Lecture Room II & Marketing Officer Room)                

8.30 a.m. – 10.30 a.m.           Multiple District Council Meeting - Sovereign Hotel

11.00 a.m. – 12.00 p.m.         Mega Donation Activity for the Physically Challenged

12.30 p.m. – 1.30 p.m.           Lunch for Cabinet Officers 411A and 411B – Tom Mboya, (Marquee)

1.30 p.m. – 5.30 p.m. Cabinet Meetings – Tom Mboya

411A (Recreational Room)

411B (Assembly Hall)

7.30 p.m.         Welcome Dinner Cabinet Officers & Registered Delegates Yacht Club

FRIDAY 2^nd MAY 2014

8.00 a.m. – 10.00 a.m.           President, Secretary & Treasurer Schooling- Tom Mboya (Lecture Rooms I,II,& III)

8.00 a.m. – 12.00 Noon.        Registration for Convention Delegates- Tom Mboya (Marketing Room)  

10.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.           Sub District 411A Convention - Tom Mboya (Recreational Room)

Sub District 411B Convention - Tom Mboya (Assembly Hall)

12.30 p.m. – 2.00 p.m.           Lunch for Registered Delegates - Tom Mboya (Tents)

7.00 p.m. onwards                Grand MD411 Banquet - Tom Mboya (Main Hall)

SATURDAY 3^rd MAY 2014

7.00 a.m. – 9.30 a.m.             MD 411 Convention Parade (Start Kenyatta Sports Ground, Finish Victoria Primary School)

9.45 a.m.         All Delegates and invited guests are seated - Tom Mboya (Main Hall)

10.00 a.m.       Arrival of Guest of Honour

10.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m.           MD 411 Convention - Tom Mboya (Main Hall)

12.30 p.m. – 2.00 p.m.           Lunch for registered delegates - Tom Mboya (Tents)

12.30 p.m. – 2.00 p.m.           Melvin Jones Fellows Lunch - Tom Mboya (Assembly Hall)

2.30 p.m. – 3.30 p.m. Official Ground Breaking of Eye Hospital Site

8.00 p.m. onwards                MD 411 Fancy Dress Dinner / Talent Show/ Dance Simba Union

SUNDAY 4^th  MAY 2014

Departures of Delegates

9.00 a.m. - 4.p.m.       DGE MD Training- Tom Mboya (Lecture Room I)

9.00 a.m. - 1.p.m.       Current DG’s,1^st VDGE & 2^nd VDGE’s  MD Training- Tom Mboya (Lecture Room II)

9.00 a.m. - 1.p.m.                  Leadership Training for Region & Zone Chairpersons (2014-                    2015) - Tom Mboya (Lecture Room III)

LIONS OF KABALE VISIT BLIND SCHOOL

Kabale, Uganda: Lions Club of Kabale visited the oldest blind school in Kabale and along with the students commemorated the Easter Festivals, a religious event usually observed to commemorate Christ's Resurrection.

The Lion Members carried with them donations which included some dry food stuff and daily-use items like laundry soap and sanitary pads for girls.

The special school for the blind boys and girls was formed 43 years ago and is considered to be one of the oldest "special school for the blind students" in Uganda. The club is on record to have built a water tank for the school and is a regular donor to the school.

Story by Abdul Hai

One of the oldest special school for the blind boys and girls at Kabale in Uganda where Lion Members from Lions Club of Kabale visited and distributed sanitary pads and laundry soap to the students.

A Lion Member of Lions Club of Kabale distributing laundry soap and sanitary pads to students of a blind school at Kabale in Uganda.

Details & pictures from Club Secretary Lion John Semuwemba

PRESIDENT DR. KIKWETE AWARDED GOLD MEDAL

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: The symbolic highest level of appreciation --Head Of State Global Leadership Gold Medal Award from Lions Clubs International President Barry Palmer -- was officially presented to his Excellency the President of the United Republic of Tanzania Dr. Jakaya M. Kikwete at the State House in Dar es Salaam.

The presentation was made by District Governor Lion Wilson Nathaniel Ndesanjo who led a six-man delegation to the State House in Dar es Salaam. The Governor also presented his personal Friendship Banner and immediately after Past District Governor and Past Multiple Council Chairman Lion Abdul Majid Khan presented the International President's lapel pin and a magazine on Lions Quest Programme in Tanzania.

Governor Wilson Ndesanjo narrated, in a nutshell, the activities of Lions Clubs in Tanzania during the last fifty years. He also explained that according to the administrative structure of the Sub District 411B, he was Governor to clubs in Tanzania as well as Uganda.

The President appreciated the honour bestowed on him and asked the Governor to convey his greetings to the International President. He said that he closely followed the numerous activities Lions clubs carried out in various fields and assured his Governments' full cooperation in projects which required assistance.

He asked the senior Lions in the leadership positions to continue with the good works they were doing.

All the six Lions who were in the delegation were introduced to the President name by name and the positions they were holding in the Sub District 411B. A group picture of all the delegates with His Excellency the President, Dr. Kikwete was taken in the lounge and another group photograph was taken at the exit door steps of the State House.

International President's Lapel Pin being donned to coat lapel of His Excellency, President Dr. Jakaya M. Kikwete by PDG/PMCC Lion Abdul Majid Khan immediately after the prestigious gold medal was presented. On the left is Governor Wilson N. Ndesanjo.

The delegation comprised  the following members: Governor Wilson N. Ndesanjo; PDG Lion Abdul Majid Khan; Cabinet Secretary Lion Kishore Simzia; Region Chairman Lion Happiness Nkya; Zone Chairman Omary Bakari; Zone Chairman Dr. Hussain Hassan and IT & Bulletin Chairman Lion Abdul Hai.

All seem to be in a jovial mood immediately after the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency Dr. Jakaya M. Kikwete was presented with Head of State Global Leadership Gold Medal Award, International President's badge and Personal Friendship Banner from the Governor in State House, Dar es Salaam.

His Excellency President Dr. Jakaya M. Kikwete shaking hands with the Blogger of this Blog Lion Abdul Hai who was part of the delegation to the State House.

Story by Abdul Hai

The Gold Medal Award from LCI President Barry Palmer being presented to His Excellency, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania Dr. Jakaya M. Kikwete by District Governor Lion Wilson Nathaniel Ndesanjo (centre) in the State House, Dar es Salaam. On extreme left PDG Lion Abdul Majid Khan.

THREE-DAY WORKSHOP CONCLUDES

Bagamoyo, Tanzania: The three-day workshop of Lions Quest Programme, an international programme which is a campaign to discourage intoxicants and harmful drugs, was concluded with presentation of "graduation" certificates to thirty teachers in the historical town of Bagamoyo.

The knowledge so-gained from three-days of intensive studies under two experienced  trainers Alex Mathew and Chistopher Chinyala, the teachers will impart the knowledge to their fellow teachers and also conduct talks during free time with their students. Sets of books worth millions of TShs. were also distributed to the participants and some texts to be given to parents which contain special lessons in how to deal with their children in combating bad habits.

The closing ceremony was expected to be performed by District Governor Lion Wilson Ndesanjo who was to lead at least a team of twelve senior Lions from Dar es Salaam but unfortunately on Friday night the bridge linking Dar es Salaam and Coast towards Bagamoyo collapsed due to very heavy rains. Hence, PDG and Coordinator of the LQ Lion Abdul Majid Khan took over the duties of the closing ceremony.

More News: A few hours before the bridge collapsed, the Blogger of this Blog drove over the bridge not knowing of the impending news that was about to take place. The bridge is just couple of years old and is one of the longest on the way to Bagamoyo. During dry season, it appears to be a dead river but becomes active in rainy seasons. 

During the closing ceremony, Lion Abdul Majid Khan talked about Lions Clubs International as one of the oldest and largest service organization in the world. It was older than the United Nations, formed 97 years ago by one businessman called Melvin Jones (in Chicago). He urged the teachers to form  branch clubs with basic requirements of not less than six members.

The teachers passed a resolution to talk to their respective headmasters to organize how to implement what they studied and also to involve parents in giving them proper guidance in bringing up the youths so that they become good leaders and better citizens of the country.

"Gradutaion" certificate for participating in the three-day Lions Quest Workshop being presented by Governor Lion Abdul Majid Khan to participant, teacher Irene Meusi from Bagamoyo Secondary School. Convenor Mohamed Mulla conducted the closing ceremony as MC.

The organizers of Lions Quest Programme and the thirty teachers of Bagamoyo District secondary school who participated in the three days workshop. It was closed by Past District Governor Lion Abdul majid Khan (3rd seated) and next to him is Convenor of the workshop Lion Mohamed Mulla and next to him without the graduation cap Abdul Hai.

Story & Pix Abdul Hai

LIONS QUEST IN BAGAMOYO

Bagamoyo District Commissioner Hon. Ahmed Kipozi officially opening the three-day Lions Quest Seminar for 30 teachers of Bagamoyo. Others in the picture (R to L) Lion Mohammed Mulla, Convenor of the workshop; PDG/Coordinator Lion Abdul Majid Khan and extreme left Secretary of the Lions Quest Steering Committee and Blogger of the Governor's Blog Lion Abdul Hai.

LIONS QUEST PROGRAMME NEEDED IN TANZANIA

Some of the participants in the three-day Lions Quest Seminar at Bagamoyo which commenced today and will officially be closed by District Governor Lion Wilson N. Ndesanjo  on Saturday afternoon.

 

A set of Lions Quest Books being handed over to the Chief Guest, Bagamoyo District Commissioner Hon. Ahmed Kipozi by PDG and Coordinator of the LQP Lion Abdul Majid Khan.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Lions Quest Programme which is an international educational campaign to discourage misuse of drugs and intoxicants, needs to be implemented in schools and in families in Tanzania. This opinion was conveyed by Bagamoyo District Commissioner Hon. Ahmed Kipozi when he officially opened a three-day seminar for thirty secondary school teachers at Bagamoyo today.

Speaking to the teachers and some senior Lion Members, he said: “Since our country achieved independence more than fifty years ago, we have been at war against illiteracy, disease and ignorance. While we have registered greater successes in those fields, a devil brings out his ugly head to destroy the good character of our youth.”

He said that “devil” comes in the form of harmful drugs, excessive use of liquor, smoking of bhangi and charas, chewing of harmful tobacco containing harmful intoxicants, cocaine, brown sugar, mandrax etc. He further pointed out that these harmful stuff were available in the underground markets!

He explained to the teachers that under such circumstances, youths, particularly school children easily fall into the trap and their lives end in miseries. He concluded: “This is where you teachers come into the picture to assist and  this is where you Lions come into the picture of trying to arrest the situation before it goes out of hand.”

The District Commissioner called on the teachers to make use of every minute of the three-day seminar, to study hard and to impart the knowledge to their fellow teachers and if possible to families.

Earlier, Past District Governor and Coordinator of the LQP, Lion Abdul Majid Khan explained the lengthy story about the Lions Quest which is being implemented throughout the world by Lions Clubs International. This was the 8^th workshop to be held in Bagamoyo after similar ones which were held in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Dodoma, Morogoro, Tanga, Kilimanjaro, Mwanza and Arusha. 

 More information: In terms of all logistics and basic expenses of the three-days workshop, the Lions Clubs International incurs expenditure of approximately TShs. 13,680,000/= for thirty teachers.

The programme has so far recorded more than 15 million youths all over the world to have taken part in the LQ Workshops and more than 700,000 teachers and other adults have been trained to impart the knowledge in schools and community centres.

Story & Some Pix by Abdul Hai

PWANI, ALWAYS ON "GO"

PWANI ALWAYS IN FRONT LINE!

Lions Club of Dar es Salaam Pwani was always in the front line to implement fresh ideas with zeal and great success, District Governor Lion Wilson N. Ndesanjo said at the World Lunch Relay organized by the club for Lions, pupils from a blind school and an orphanage centre.

“The Pwani Club seems to be the only club in the Sub District which has heeded the call of the International President Barry J. palmer for holding the World Lunch Relay throughout the world where Lions Clubs operate,” the Governor said. He congratulated the newly formed Leo Club of Pwani (under the umbrella of L.C. Pwani) for handling the function which turned out to be lively, exciting and  with full of fun.

Club President Lion Pushpa Shah appeared to be very satisfied with the turn out of visitors and main guests who also included 2^nd Vice District Governor Lion Haiderali Gangji, several District Officers and a good number of businessmen and volunteers who supported the event.

In her speech, she observed philosophically that what ever  good things we do for others, it automatically comes back to us in one way or the other. And she added: “We must not only try to do more but to do better by cherishing the dream of  the Founder of Lionism , Melvin Jones”.

Fifteen blind young boys and girls from Uhuru Mchanganyiko Primary School led by their Matron Aisha Mkumbo and Volunteer Mohini Nathumal Sajnani appeared well dressed in their school uniform. They gave a chorus of three songs which touched the heart of almost every body at the Himalaya  Ridge Hotel.

More info: A get together will be held on 27^th April at Uhuru Mchanganyiko where pupils from Buguruni Deaf School and Yombo Vocational Training School will attend.

The Makini Organization, a group of youngsters all dressed in black attire danced to the tune of Maichel Jackson and other beats and kept the audience well entertained.

Governor Lion Wilson N. Ndesanjo addressing the gathering at the World Lunch Relay, an international episode which has been observed throughout the world. Lions Club of Dar es Salaam Pwani and Leo Club of Pwani seem to have scored a positive attention of the Governor by being the first clubs in Sub District 411B to organize the event.

A chorus of blind singers singing a "welcome song" for the Chief Guest, Governor Wilson Ndesanjo at the fellowship party organized by Lions Club of Dar es Salaam Pwani and Leo Club of Pwani.

The afternoon meal was tasty oriental dish “biriyani” and soft drinks. Donors included  Mrs. Shaida Farooqi, Rafiq Ghartey, Seema Mittal, Shamim Abdul Rasul, Mohini Nathumal Sajnani,Chemi-Cotex, and Diviash Shah. The entire function was ably managed by MC, Lion Rizwan Qadri.

Governor Lion Wilson N. Ndesanjo greeting an ardent volunteer Mohini Nathumal Sajnani with the Indian style "namaste" during the World Lunch Relay organized by L.C. Pwani. Holding the mike is Secretary of the club Lion Rizwan Qadri and on right is President Pushpa Shah.

Story & Picture by Abdul Hai