Lions Clubs International Logo

Lions Clubs International - District 105M - Midland News

Ordinary People doing Amazing Things






Reception for Hikkaduwa Lion 

 

Droitwich Lions Club recently held a Reception at the Droitwich Rugby Club for Lion Mettapala De Silva J.P. M.J.F; of the Hikkaduwa Lions Club, Sri Lanka, who is in this Country visiting his family.

Droitwich Lions Club is Twinned with Hikkaduwa Lions and have been working with them since 1990 when The North Sea Lions Community Centre was opened.

Droitwich and the Lions of District 105m and members of the public have supported Hikkaduwa Lions through some torrid times, none less than the Tsunami Disaster in 1974 when thousands of people lost their homes, their lives and everything they had.

This District rallied quickly and gave whatever help they could, not only the Lions Clubs but members of the public, schools and many other organisations.

Our relations as Lions Clubs were already good but this terrible event galvanised us into something greater. There were many houses to be built, many children needed care and sponsors were able to give support and we were able to help rebuild the Lions Community Centre ( which we as a District had already done in 1990). This was an important project for all the community.


Hikkaduwa Medical Students Graduating 2009
 

The "Foster Children and Scholarship Programme" for the education of poor children and the Medical Student Programme have both been an outstanding success, the latter resulting in many Doctors being able to return to their Villages and home areas and to provide valuable service to their own communities. (see pictures)

The latest project is the launching of an "Eye Bank" to enable poor people to have free cataract operations to restore their eyesight. This was made possible by a generous donation from the Southam Lions Club. The project was named "Seeing Through Southam's Eyes" and was launched in 2008 in Hikkaduwa by the then International President Jimmy Ross. Since then over 500 operations have been carried out.


Lion President Carole Moseley presenting the Award for Hikkaduwa Lions Club to Lion Mettapala De Silva J.P. M.J.F.
 

During the Reception an Award was given to commemorate over 20 years of Friendship and Co-operation in International Lions Work, and to Lion Mettapala De Silva, he was given the Droitwich Lions Presidents Award in recognition of his Outstanding Service to Lionism.

The work of the Hikkaduwa Lions Club is astonishing, the service they provide for their communities truly lives up to the Lions Slogan "ORDINARY PEOPLE - AMAZING THING"


Lion Mettapala De Silva presenting a special banner to Southam Lions President David Williams
 

Over 50 people attended the Reception from all over the District and included many sponsors of the children and students and various projects carried on by the Hikkaduwa Lions Club

All the projects being run by Hikkaduwa Lions Club are still very much ongoing and if anyone is interested in supporting any of them - The children's education, the Students Scholarship programme or the "Seeing through Southam's Eyes" Eye Bank Project, you can call me for further information on 01905 770647.

Brian Eland


Childrens Education Trip - Summer 2009


Lions Clubs International Logo © 2008 Lions Clubs International