Kris Massie's memories of Kitwe.
Part 28
Anyone familiar with Lions International (headquarters in Chicago, Illinois) may know that each country is a ‘District’ and Zambia’s was District 413. We would, from within the various clubs in the country, select a District Governor and Board as it were. There was great competitiveness between clubs and one of these was for “The Copper Quill.” It was presented annually to the club who had produced the best newsletter and guess who was roped in for the Kitwe Lions! I admit to very much enjoying the ‘writing and reporting’ via my typewriter on activities and other news - distribution was to type it on a stencil and print it off on a duplicator. I am delighted to reveal we won this trophy for the years I produced it.
Thereafter followed Medical Alert a worthy project District 413 took on, this on behalf of Medic Alert International (headquarters in Turlock, California). In fact many Lions Clubs worldwide adopted Medic Alert as a project. Our Chairman was Manu Desai, a Kitwe Lion and a well-known surgeon and I enjoyed the secretarial position for a number of years. He involved all clubs and coerced an engraver for the engraving on the discs – either a bracelet or a necklet. The engraver would follow the instructions we gave of an individual’s medical problem. This would additionally alert anyone of vital information should the wearer be involved in an accident or mishap. This is particularly relative to Diabetics to name one of many.
The current Lions Club District Governor came to see me with the view of asking me to start a Lioness Club. I refused at first but he persisted and I caved in! I commenced enquiries and made contact with wives of Lions, friends, and as many acquaintances as I could. In fact anyone who was interested and pretty soon we had the required number. It was to be the first in Zambia for District 413 and the Kitwe Lions Club. We selected a name, Bwafano Lioness Club - a loose translation being ‘To Help One Another.’ It was a proud moment for me to be inducted as the Charter President, a position held for a year before becoming a Past President when a new President is elected.
We had a good number of nationalities not only European but Zambian and Asian also. We raised a lot of money from Saturday morning cake, scones, jam and chutney sales and our Samosa’s surpassed themselves – the latter being made by our Asian Lionesses. They were instrumental for some wonderful curries and also gave us cooking lessons. We learned a lot about African and European cooking too and had such fun trying everything out. It was great to be mixing in like this.
We carefully scrutinised needful requests and wherever possible helped. Our largest project was the adoption of an orphanage with a number of handicapped youngsters for whom we were able to supply required wheelchairs. Medic Alert came in handy and we paid for and donated the necklets and wristlets.
We organised dances in the Edinburgh Hotel with raffle prizes donated by businesses in town and held film gala’s as the Rhokana Mine Cinema. We were fortunate in that the husband of a member was not only a Lion, but he knew the cinema manager!
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