CLUB NEWS

“Swarna Sinhabhimani” 3rd Annual Convention

500 eminent personalities to be recognised at a glittering event:

Beverley JANSZ

Lions Clubs International District 306 A2 will hold its 3rd Annual District Convention “Swarna Sinhabhimani” on Friday May 2nd at 3.00 p.m. at the BMICH, under the patronage of International President International Association of Lions Clubs, Lion Mahendra Amarasuriya PMJF.

A large gathering of over 1500 Lions, Lion Ladies, Leos and dignitaries will assemble to witness a glittering event under the dynamic leadership and guidance of District Governor Lion Kamal Seneviratne MJF who will recognise over 500 Lions and eminent personalities of the society for their accomplishments and contribution to the humanitarian service.

District 306 A2 has achieved “Many Firsts” during this Golden Jubilee Year of Lionism having started the year by gifting the First Lions Club to International President on the day of the Cabinet Installation at the BMICH on July 26, 2007 and also inducted more than 100 Lions including 40 Lady Lions and MJF Members.

This Lionistic Year is the most memorable year for District 306 A2 DG Kamal said. An International Panel of Judges adjudged them the Best District at the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

It was organised by the Multiple District 306 under the patronage of the International President and the presence of InternationalLion dignitaries. They won all six awards for Best Marching, Best Costume, Best Cultural Item, Best Float, Best Regional Participation and Best Zonal Participation.

Under membership growth, the district has inducted more than 700 Lions by extending over 20 New Clubs so far including a Ladies’ Club and is expecting to reach a target of 30 New Clubs and 1000 New Members.

DG Lion Kamal introduced a Novel Concept of “Regional Conventions” which was a combined event of the clubs in a region instead of individual club charters, saving time, money, energy and gaining a better life span.

He recognised all outstanding Lions, Lion Ladies, Leos and Eminent Personalities of the society in the particular Region for their accomplishments and service to the less fortunate.

It was a Lions’ Image Building process which impressed the public by the Lions magnanimous service to the humanity and attracted many prospective members who consented to become Lions.

“Challenge the Future Today” is the theme of District Governor Lion Kamal who has achieved many goals by leading his Lions families as one team for one result in all what he has implemented to date with dedication, commitment and devotion.

District 306 A2 has donated 50 houses in Matara, 50 houses in Hambantota and laid foundation stones for 50 more houses in Galle under the patronage of the International President. During this period Lions Clubs and Lions of the District have contributed their wealth and services to the less fortunate valued at over millions of rupees.

They have constructed buildings for schools, Elders Homes & Rehabilitation Centres for Mentally & Physically impaired persons, libraries, donation of spectacles, intra ocular lenses, wheel chairs, clutches, hearing aids, school books, stationery and uniforms, computers etc.

The districtalso and also conducted many seminars and workshops on prevention of HIV/AIDS, drugs, child & women abuse, prisoners’ welfare services, child & maternity clinics, women clinics and many more services islandwide, DG Kamal said.

Rotary Club of Colombo

Helping strengthen IT literacy amongst children:

Nirmalee SAMARATUGE

As part of its programme to strengthen Computer Literacy amongst children in the rural areas, the Rotary Club of Colombo, together with its overseas partner club, the Rotary Club of Weert, Netherlands, recently set up a fully equipped Computer Laboratory at Welithara Muslim Maha Vidyalaya, Matara.

The Project was evolved following a visit Down South by a group of Rotarians and Rotaractors, who identified this tsunami affected school as a deserving recipient for IT facilities, which the school did not have at the time.

The school had the best results in the District in English Language and therefore was well placed to build on this and develop IT Skills. Much preparatory work was done by the Club in consultation with the Principal and teachers, to identify the suitable equipment and draw up the Courses to be offered by the new facility.

Fourteen Computers together with the accompanying accessories, software and other equipment, as well as the necessary furniture and equipment, were donated by the two clubs with support from The Rotary Foundation Fund.

Thus a fully equipped Computer Laboratory is now in place, enabling several hundred young boys and girls to have the opportunity of building their skills in IT and providing an opportunity for employment later on in life.

In addition, following the interest shown by the parents of the students, it is planned to start a separate Course to introduce IT, for adults, mainly parents, using the same facility.