Lions Clubs International delegation discuss projects with President Michel |24 October 2015

A large delegation of Lions Club International headed by the second vice-president of Lions Clubs International, Naresh Aggarwal, paid a courtesy call on President James Michel yesterday morning, together with the Lions Clubs of Seychelles.

They also paid a courtesy call on Vice-President Danny Faure.

President Michel praised the work of the Lions Clubs in Seychelles particularly in the blindness prevention programme as well as the school sight-screening programme.

“The Lions Club has not been a dormant lion, but a very active lion! You have contributed greatly to the health and social sectors in Seychelles with the cataract removal programme as well as the programme for screening children for eyesight deficiencies. Your efforts are bearing fruits. We are deeply grateful for your ongoing engagement with the community,” said President Michel during the meeting.

Mr Aggarwal spoke to the President about the successes of Lions Clubs International in giving 20 million children all over the world the change to have sight screening, and identify sight problems at an early age.

He said that Seychelles is an example to the world concerning health care development.

The President and the Lions Clubs International second vice-president discussed the challenges in the rehabilitation of drug and alcohol addicts and the need for capacity building to train counsellors and other health workers to deal with the social problem.

The Lions Clubs International agreed to assist Seychelles in this area of expertise and capacity building as part of its Lions’ Quest Programme.

Mr Arggarwal presented the President with the award of Global Leader in Humanitarian Service, on behalf of Lions Club International.

Dr Manoj Shah a board appointee of the International Association of Lions Clubs  said the delegation of Lions including himself are really impressed by the work the Lions in Seychelles have been doing for the community.

“I commend them for taking the lead in fighting blindness in Seychelles . They have done a remarkable job. They have created a big impact on the citizens of Seychelles and they have initiated the eye screening programme among schoolchildren which is indeed very commendable,” he said.

In terms of future programmes Dr Shah said the Lions are looking at enhancing the blindness prevention programme as well as exploring  related areas for further help.

Rehabilitation of drug addicts is an area where Dr Shah said he has discussed with President Michel and Lions locally and he noted that possibly in the coming months they would start to carry out some of these projects.

Also present in the meeting were the chief press secretary, Srdjana Janosevic;  Davindar Singh Eari, district governor; Rajinder Singh Sembi, GLT constitutional area leader Africa; Shezan Luhar, district GMT, coordinator; Amarpreet  Sembi - GMT area leader Africa LCI coordinating Lion, as well as a several Lions Clubs of Seychelles members.