22 Aug 2022

Lions clubs have been lauded for making a positive impact on lives of society members.

Speaking during a Lions International District Governor and Cabinet Officers’ installation banquet over the weekend, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Pono Moatlhodi noted that Lions participated in efforts to leave the earth ‘a better place than they found it’.

Mr Moatlhodi said planting trees, cleaning the environment and educating children on how to protect the earth were just a few of the efforts expended by the Lions the world over.

He said the 1.4 million Lions globally, were serving as one to create a better life for all, adding that Lions International was an embodiment of these qualities.

 “Being the largest humanitarian organisation in the world, the mandate of Lions is to serve,” he noted.

He said by playing a part in the pledge to eradicate hunger, Lions endeavoured to provide food to families and individuals that needed assistance. 

Mr Moatlhodi said Lions’ vision was that by planting fruit tree in schools, on roadsides and public areas, they could help someone find the nutrition they needed.

He said it was interesting to note that Lions in District 412A, that comprises Botswana and Zimbabwe, planted fruit trees and shades only, with the intention of providing food for everyone who needed it.

The deputy speaker and MP for Tonota said Lions were continually active in advocating for childhood cancer, revealing that Lions Club International Foundation had donated P2 million per year to assist Baylor in Africa to train doctors, build laboratories and help curb mortality.

He said in Botswana, Lions Club had been active and had sponsored a school at Letoreng in Tswapong South near Machaneng by catering for the children in the areas from Grade 0 to Grade 7.

Mr Moatlhodi said Lions also sponsored an eye clinic in Mochudi and also equipped an eye clinic in a hospital in Serowe.

Past International Director (PID) Lion Hastings Eli Chiti said one of the ethics of Lions International wad to hold friendship as an end not a means.

Lion Eli Chiti thus urged members to learn to share with the underprivileged, irrespective of the little they had as Lions.

“Giving to someone who does not know you and was in need was planting an everlasting seed as that person will never forget you,” he said.

He cited tolerance as one of the qualities of a Lion, saying that working together and having orderly succession plans was ideal as it could bring more results.

He advised fellow Lions to work together and remove the spirit of jealousy as it could not take them any further. BOPA