Swakopmunders might have had the impression last week the Christmas Season to be back again. And this was because close to 500 Lions and their partners were congregating in the town for their annual Multiple District Convention. The Multiple District 410 is part of the International Association of Lions Clubs, which is the world’s largest service and non profit organisation with nearly 1,4 million male and female members in more than 193 countries and geographical areas worldwide. It stretches from the Cape to Namibia and includes 168 Lion clubs and over 2697 volunteer members who are committed to assisting the less fortunate in their local communities. It is important to know that all funds raised are only used for community service and it is the member´s dues that pay for the association´s operating costs.

The Multiple District Convention is the highlight of a Lions year. It enables members to discuss and participate in the business making decisions of the association and to enjoy the fellowship and camaraderie that membership brings. The Swakopmund club was especially proud to have the International Director of the Lions Organisation Asoka de Zoysa Gunasekera from Colombo, Sri Lanka in their midst. Together with the Council Chairman John Whiteley and the four District Governors he not only chaired the meetings but also took part in all evening functions being a Welcome Evening on Thursday, 28. April in a tent at the Mole, a formal Banquet the next day at the SFC Hall, which had to be brought up to the standard necessary for a banquet with a lot of efforts – A little side note: There is no furnished banquet hall catering for about 450 – 500 participants in Swakopmund – and last but not least a Maibock-Bierfest on Saturday 30. April, again at the SFC Hall.

Further information on Lions humanitarian service activities can be found on the following websites:

International Website www.lionsclubs.org

Multiple District Website www.lionsmd410.org.za

District 410A (Western Cape, N Cape & Namibia) www.lionsdist410a.org.za

Leos (A youth project of Lions Clubs) www.leo.org.za

In Namibia Lion Clubs are to be found in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Windhoek (2x), Tsumeb, Grootfontein, Otavi, Rehoboth, Marienthal und Keetsmanshoop. Everyone is very welcome to contact a club of his or her choice to discuss Lions Objects in detail.