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11/03/2011
08/03/2011 

Many of our clubs work on projects that help protect eyesight. But, we found a very unique Lions club sight project on The Oregonian.

Portland Downtown Lions Club Opening Eyes for Oregon Zoo Animals Photo by Benjamin Brink/The Oregonian

The Portland Downtown Lions Club recently donated a digital slit lamp to the Oregon Zoo to enable staff to do eye exams for nearly all of its animals. In this photo, a veterinarian at the Oregon Zoo uses the lamp during an eye exam for Chendra, an Asian elephant.

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Because we’re part of a global network, Lions end up helping people around the world. Through the work of Lions and Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), we improve lives in profound ways.

LCIF staff members recently traveled to an eye clinic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a country with limited access to medical care. There they met Athanese Landu, who had walked for an hour and a half from his village to receive cataract surgery. This free operation was made possible through a program of Lions in the DRC and Germany, LCIF and other partners. Athanese told the staff, “I am thankful to the Lions for restoring my sight. I am anxious to be able to walk on my own again, after a year of not being able to see and be independent.”

In this video, you’ll share Athanese’s happiness after his sight-saving operation.

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I’m sure that you have been following the news reports of the devastating earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. Lions Clubs Helping Earthquake Victims in New ZealandMuch of the city is still without water and sewage systems and aftershocks continue. Thousands are homeless as a result of the destruction.

Right now, Margit and I, and LCIF staff, are on our way to New Zealand to meet with Lions and view their current relief efforts. We will also meet with the mayor and Red Cross to discuss future plans.

Lions have been providing assistance since the devastating earthquake February 22, and LCIF is providing US$110,000 to help Lions in providing relief to their communities. In the past week Lions services include:

  • Delivering 500 portable toilets to Doctors Surgery’s, Nurse Maud Assn. and households in eastern suburbs
  • Going door to door in the suburbs with the Red Cross to find those who need assistance
  • Providing grocery and fuel vouchers to families in need as well as food, bedding and water
  • Volunteering at welfare centers in Christchurch and Timaru
  • Raising $34,000 during a weekend fund-raiser
  • Distributing meals through a food caravan in Christchurch
  • Lions from neighboring areas traveling to Christchurch to assist in relief projects, such as door-to-door outreach, delivering food and helping with clean-up
  • Lions in neighboring towns are organizing dinners for displaced families and housing for Lions in need
  • Staffing two daily shifts to assist at the national Red Cross coordination office in Wellington
  • Delivering a 40,000 litre tanker of fresh water to the suburbs of Christchurch
  • Providing weekend breaks to families to escape from the city for two days

Wherever there is a need, there is a Lions club nearby, ready to respond with their hearts and hands. In the case of disasters, we are among the first to offer help, and the last to leave. If you want to help the people of New Zealand, the most effective and immediate way to do this is through a designated donation to LCIF for New Zealand relief.

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A 2010 study by the World Health Organization shows that visual impairment has been reduced globally by nine percent, or 26 million people, since 2004. Through SightFirst, our members have had a significant role in this achievement.

Lions Clubs, LCIF Help Reduce Number of Blind by 26 MillionAccording to the study, the number of visually impaired people decreased from 311 million in 2004 to 285 million in 2010. Of these, an estimated 39 million people are blind, compared with 45 million blind in 2004.

This milestone could not have occurred without the dedication and investment of non-governmental organizations, including Lions and LCIF, as well as partners, governments and ministries of health. And we remain committed to saving eyesight

With US$415 million raised through Campaign SightFirst II, we’re increasing programs to fight the leading causes of blindness. Battling emerging threats to sight. And funding new projects aimed at research and rehabilitation.

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I am so often humbled by the people I meet during my travels. I have had the chance to speak with amazing people, such as the dedicated Lions of Zambia.

Judy and I recently traveled there to mark the 50th anniversary of Lions in Zambia. We were greeted warmly in a festive ceremony marked with dance and song. We also met Kenneth Kaunda, the first president of Zambia. He is actively involved in a campaign to stop the spread of AIDS in Africa, for which Judy and I presented him with the Lions Medal of Distinction. Lions Clubs International Foundation also made a US$10,000 donation to the cause.

In this video, you’ll see the lively reception Judy and I enjoyed in Zambia.

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