It has been a while since I published to the website. This is not because I have been quiet, far from it. I have been so busy that I have not had time to post.

So, What is Happening?

Well I am currently in Kenya with Lions from across the world, including our International President Lion Brian and his wife Lion Lori. Providing 45 Service projects with the aim of connecting the world of Lions for “Service”.

Projects include:

• Thika School for the Visually Impaired, the largest such school in Kenya. Our first aim was to present small footballs with bells in to each student, 350 boys and girls most of whom, 300+, have no sight at all. Watching the children with the balls was amazing; their ability to bounce, chase, kick and sense the ball was remarkable and a tribute to the design concept - truly ‘A Ball for All’. A further 400 balls are being donated to other schools for the visually impaired in Kenya. In addition to the balls, 100 white canes were presented together with 5 Orbit Readers, computers that will enable students work to be saved, stored and printed in braille, and 20 reams of braille paper.
• Thika Joytown School for the Physically Challenged, Some 300 children attend the school, as shown by the uniforms drying in the sun, many of whom have very significant issues and a number of activities were undertaken, including an eye screening. The warmth and patience shown by the children was remarkable, one little boy could not stop giggling at how ‘white’ Jacqueline was. The skill and patience shown by the medical team drawn from the international team and Kenyan Lions was inspiring. Children were registered, screened, checked and where possible diagnosed. This is one of my favourite projects at the moment, vision screening. It is so important to test children at an early age for any vision issues. If they are not caught by the age of 7 then they are much more difficult to correct. We also provided diabetes information and donation of wheelchairs.
• New Mathare School for Freedom for Girls, In the Kenyan system primary education runs for eight years from age 6. It has taken less than two days to realise that rhythm, music and singing is so natural and we were welcomed with singing and a remarkable display of ‘call and response’ led by the Deputy-Principal. To say that these children have nothing is to grossly overestimate the word ‘nothing’. The theme of the visit was ‘Keeping girls at school’. Because of the poverty in the community, for several days each month the girls do not attend school as they cannot afford feminine hygiene products. The Leo Club Keeping Girls in School is a Club specialising in menstrual health education. Not just providing the hygiene products but educating the girls in the use of the products as their mothers do not. They were happy to engage with the team and talk about their hopes and ambitions. The sheer exuberance of the children was a joy to behold: see the smiles.
• Special Olympics, Kenya at the Kasarani Stadium. On its roofline the stadium carries the legend ‘The Home of Heroes’ an apt and fitting legend for Special Olympics. The chief guest was the wife of the Kenyan Deputy President, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi Special Olympics had arranged for a full health screening service to be available to the community including eyes, hearing and feet. Sporting activities included ‘unified’ football games. Kenyan Leos vs Special Olympics and between a ‘scratch’ (very scratch) Lions team vs Special Olympics that resulted in an honourable draw.
• Salvation Army Prinary School for the Blind: this school serves around 350 students. Lions delivered and distributed special soccer balls today. These balls make sound as they are kicked and make it easier for them to find. They are starting with teams at this school and Lions will help to continue this projects, enabling all schools for the blind to participate in a league. Watching these children run and play was heart-warming. Orbit Braille readers, cases of Braille paper and white canes were also donated. Government and the school ministry were on hand as well- these partnerships are so very important to grow in our communities! We also have film crews from LCI and Lions Virtual to capture all these special moments and important projects.

I am so proud to be a Lion, and so proud to serve

Amazing to be spending time with such inspirational lions from across the world - all joining forces to share our knowledge, skills and expertise to make a difference to those in need.

Meet Effer.

This 11-year-old young boy is just one of many children receiving vision screenings and assessments today. He was hit by a stone in one eye in 2016 and did not receive proper care. Infection set in and is destroying his vision. He also has a suspected growth affecting his left eye, and needs immediate medical attention. Lions are sending him to the Lions hospital today for full assessment and treatment. He also gave a great big hug to International Lion President Brian. We plan to check back in with Effer and his Mom when we visit the hospital on Friday.

This is why I am a Lion