EVENTS

LIONS OF EGYPT CELEBRATE THE 20TH CONVENTION :

The 20^th Annual Convention of District 352 was held in Alexandria, Egypt during the period 5-7, June 2003.

The Opening Ceremony :

The Opening Ceremony, which was attended by H.E. Abdel Salam Mahgoub, Governor of Alexandria and H.E. Adly Hussein, Governor of Qulioubeya, was held at the fascinating beech of Palestine Hotel, at Montaza Gardens and attended by 600 Lions from the different clubs of the District along with about 100 Leos.

Dr. Mamdouh Wahba, the District Governor announced that the reason for holding the convention at the beautiful city of Alexandria was mainly to say "Thank You" to the Governor of Alexandria for the wonderful and unprecedented job he is doing to make this city get back its title as the " Bride of the Mediterranean Sea ". Another reason for holding the Convention in Alexandria was to express appreciation for the active and cooperative Alexandria West Lions Club, presided by Lion Magdy Azab.

Also, to celebrate the establishment of 2 new Lions Club in Alexandria; Alexandria East presided by Lion Fathy Saleh and Alexandria El-Raml presided by Lion Mahmoud Dawoud.

The First Session :

The First Session of the Convention was devoted to discuss "The role of voluntary organizations in community development". The audience listened to the informative and most stimulating speeches of both Governors; H.E Abdel Salam Mahgoub and H.E. Adly Hussein . The discussion from the floor went on for quite sometime.

The District Governor's Awards :

Dr. Wahba then presented the District Shields to both Governors as a token of appreciation and friendship. He also presented the International President's Certificate of Appreciation to the Immediate Past District Governor, Abdel Fattah Al-Didi in recognition of his efforts, help and support.  The District Shield was also awarded to General Ihab Farouk, First Under Secretary of Ministry of Tourism, Mrs. Safa"a Abou El-Souod, the famous star and Chairperson of Arab Radio & Television, Mr.Hassan Hamed, The Chairman of Egyptian Radio & Television Union and Mrs. Fatma Fouad, Chairperson of Alexandria TV.

The District Governor awarded the District's Medal to the presidents of all Lions Clubs in the District and the Club Presidents awarded their members The District Governor's Award Certificates for those who achieved 100% attendance, recruited the largest number of  new members and participating in community activities .

This year witnessed the creation of the rank Lions Knights. The Knights are the active persons from different clubs of the District who helped and supported the activities of the District along the year. The District Governor awarded special pins to the Knights of the District.

THE KNIGHTS OF DISTRICT 352

They are the present and the future.. Lions who are dedicated, helpful, cooperative and productive .. They change ideas into action .. dreams to reality.. and they serve !!

The Parade :

On Friday, June 6^th more than 400 Lions and Leos from District 352 lined up in the parade at Montazah Gardens in Alexandria. The parade was preceded by three " Flower Trucks", one was organized by the District 352 , the second was presented by Lion Hany Fathy, President of Maadi Nile Club and chairman of Tamima Co. while the third one was presented by  Lion Ahmed Bahgat, President of Dream Lions Club and Chairman of Bahgat's Group. The naval musical team followed the flower trucks and played several national pieces of  music. The District Governor and  Honorary President of the District; Lion Reda Allah Helmi along with past district governors Ahmed Al-Husseini, Ahmed Shehata, Maher El-Ramli and Mostafa Tawfiek headed the Lions parade which attracted a lot of publicity either in the press or on the TV screen. The Leos were holding flags and balloons and carried their own posters. The parade toured the Montazah Gardens for more than one hour and was well received by all visitors and residents.

The First Egyptian Leo District Meeting :

To celebrate the establishment of the First Leo District in Egypt, Leos from 12 clubs met at 5 pm on Friday, June 6^th at Palestine Hotel. Mrs. Mona Abou Zeid, District Chairperson of Youth Affairs and Aziz Mitry, the District President  presided the meeting. The activities and future of Leo Clubs in the newly formed District were discussed. Mrs. Abou Zeid stressed the need for proper orientation to all new members.

The Year's "Harvest" :

More than 500 Lions and about 80 Leos from the District 352 spent an interesting evening at Al-Salamlik Gardens in Montazah resort in Alexandria.

The evening started by a spectacular power point show prepared and designed by Lion Hossam Khodair. The show was entitled : the Year's Harvest. It presented all major activities conducted during the year 2002 – 2003.

Leo Clubs :

First, it was the formation of the new Leo District for Egypt and the establishment of 8 new Leo Clubs. Mrs. Mona Abou Zeid District Chairperson for Youth Affairs presented the District Governor's Medals to the Leo Club Advisors and the District Governor's Awards Certificates to the Leo Clubs Presidents. The District Governor, Mamdouh Wahba honored Mrs Abou Zeid the District Shield Award in recognition of her continuous and enthusiastic support for Leos of Egypt during the past twenty years. Aziz Mitry, the first Leo District President was selected the Leo of the Year.

New Clubs :

During the year 2002-2003, District 352 has achieved an unprecedented record of establishing 16 new Lions Clubs. Lion Ahmed Shahata, Past District Governor and District Chairman for Extension presented new clubs presidents with the District Governor's Medals and The District Governor's Award Certificates to those who helped establishing the new clubs. Also extension pins from the headquarters and Presidential Extension Awards were honored to them.  Mrs. Azza Ali has been recognized for a most impressive achievement of helping to establish 5 new clubs. Cairo Nevertiti and Guiza Cosmopolitan Clubs were the major sponsors for the new clubs. The District Governor awarded PDG Lion Ahmed Shehata with the District's Shield in recognition of his efforts and dedication to extension.

More New Members :

Almost all Clubs achieved increase in membership during the past year. The new website and the electronic messages sent through the public relation support helped in recruiting so many new members. The first ever Lions School was organized this year to orient these potential new members and to invite the serious persons to join. This was achieved with the help and support of PDG Hassan Amr, District Retention Chairman  and PDG Mostafa Tawfiek, District Membership Chairman. The DG presented each of them with the District Shield Award. He also presented a special award to Lion Imam El-Refaie for his efforts and dedication to inviting more than 36 new members to different clubs.

Projects :

There are 3 major activity projects launched during the year 2002-2003 :

a.      The " Lions Fight Blindness "  project supported by LCIF . PDG Maher El-Ramli has been selected as project director and Lion Mohamed El-Hawary as project administrator. Both were awarded the DG's shield.

b.      Combating Anemia among women and children is one of the most cost-effective service projects. A medical Caravan from different Lions Clubs in the District travels to a village in the governorates around Cairo. They meet with women and talk to them about causes, ways of  prevention, effects, diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Women and their attending children are then subjected to blood tests for detection of anemia and a 3 months supply of iron therapy is given to those proved to be anemic. Six Caravan have already been conducted , met with more than 1300 women, tested blood for 1100 women and children and discovered 150 cases of anemia among women and more than 250 cases of anemia among children. DG Mamdouh Wahba is the director for this project and Mrs. Olfat Ezzat is the project coordinator.

Dr. Yana'a Youssef, a Professor of Clinical Pathology and member of Guiza Lions Club has participated in all caravans and performed all blood tests herself. The DG honored both of them with a special award.

c.       The first Website for District 352 has been launched during the past year. It has been visited by more than 26000 visitors from 21 different countries. The committee helping establishing the website includes : Mrs. Maggi Selim who is the website manager, Lion Hossam Khodair, Lion George Sawires, Mrs. Nagwa El-Cheouikh and Lion Raafat Khalid. They all received awards from DG. However, a very special award was given to Mrs. Maggi Selim who really carried out all the hard work for a whole month in order to finalize the website. She did a wonderful job. One should also mention here that the first website for a Lions Club in Egypt was established by Alexandria West Club and the first website for a Leo club was established by North Cairo Leo Club.  

Lion Hossam Khodair, has introduced the technology of communication into District 352. He keeps data of almost all members in most of the club and communicate message through the mobile phones to members informing them about the events and meetings of the different clubs. He also organized an "internet school" for Lions willing to learn the internet. Almost 20 members joined the school. Lion Gamal Mahmoud volunteered to act as a faculty and the school met regularly at the elegant premises of Tamima Co., Maadi.  Lion Hossam Khodair was awarded the DG's special Award.

Special Awards :

Were presented to very special people who dedicated time and effort and sacrificed their personal resources in order to serve others and help the district achieve all these endeavors :

1. Lion Reda Allah Helmi : PDG and Honorary life President of Lions Clubs of Egypt. The big big brother.

2. Mrs. Azza Ali, Mrs. Maggi Selim, Mrs. Nagwa El-Cheouikh , Lion Hossam Khodair and Lion Imam El-Rifaie.

3. Lion of the Year : Lion Mohamed El-Hawary, District Treasurer. A great Lion and a wonderful person.

4. Club of the Year : to be shared by Guiza Cosmopolitan Club and Cairo Nevertiti Club. Alexandria West Club won the prize for the second place.

5. Laila Zubair : The wife of District Governor Mamdouh Wahba. She received a red rose and a kiss from her husband.

THE FIRST LIONS ASSEMBLY

The first assembly of Lions Clubs in Egypt was held at Ain El-Sokhna during the period September 26-28, 2002. More than 170 members from 12 clubs attended. The meeting had the title of "Lions of Egypt  ... The Present and the Future".

The agenda was as follows:

Thursday, September 26^th:

·        Welcome speech from the District Governor,

·        Past District Governors remarks,

·        Leo clubs views ( Aziz Mitry, North Cairo Leo Club),

·        History and Ethics of Lions Clubs ( Captain RedAllah Helmi, Honorary President, Lions Clubs of Egypt)

Friday, September 27^th:

·        Leadership Skills ( Prof. Hassan Emam, Dr. Mamdouh Wahba )

·        Extension ( Eng. Mostafa Tawfik )

·        Membership ( Mr. Mohamed El-Hawary )

·        Working Groups :

-         The Website.

-         District Information.

-         Forming new clubs.

-         Promoting membership.

Visit of the International President of Lions Clubs to Egypt in October 2002

The district 352 had the honor of a presidential visit from the International President of Lions Clubs International Mr. Kay K. Fukushima and his wife Mrs. Denise who visited Egypt during the period of October 28^th – 31^st/2002.

He met with the District Cabinet and Past Governors and their spouses on the evening of October 28^th at the Nile Tower Hotel and discussed the past, present and future of the district.

On the evening of October 29^th, he met with more than 150 members of the Lions clubs of Egypt, Presidents of Lions clubs, Past District Governors and District cabinet at the Nile Pharaohs. The President offered Dr. Wahba the district governor (2002 – 2003) the International President's award for outstanding service to Lions Clubs International.

On October 30^th, the President, Mrs. Denise and Dr. Wahba traveled to Luxor to meet with Mr.  Mamdouh Philippe the owner of Sonesta Hotel Luxor to negotiate the establishment of Luxor Lions Club.

The International President Kay Fukushima

offering the International award

to Dr. Wahba (district governor 352 for the year  2002-2003  )

SOHOUR RAMADAN

On November 30^th,2002 more than 240 members of the Lions Clubs of Egypt celebrated the month of Ramadan at the Tent erected by the Opera House in Cairo. Members of Rotary Clubs in Egypt were coincidentally gathering at the same party.

Entertainment was provided by the Star, Mr. Samir Sabry ( a member of Cairo Lions Club} and the whole evening was broadcasted on Dream TV. The Arab Media Association offered Dr. Mamdouh Wahba, Lions District Governor and Mr. Mohamed Delawar, Rotary Governor, Distinction shields for their contribution in community services.

Lions District Governor offered H.E. General Mostafa Abdel Qader, Minister of Local Development, the Medal of Distinction from Mr. K. Fukushima, Lions International President.

He also offered awards to:

• Mrs. Mona Ragab, Assistant Editor of Ahram newspaper.

• Mr. Samir Sabry.

• Mrs. Clair Kamel (Egyptian TV).

• Mr. Aly Salem (Ahram Newspaper ).

A BOAT TRIP TO LUXOR & ASWAN :

The District organized a trip to Luxor and Aswan during the period January 29^th, to February 1^st,2003. A group from Guiza Cosmopolitan, Heliopolis, Nevertiti, Guiza and Heliopolis Cosmopolitan clubs spent a wonderful time aboard the floating hotel Nile Style. They visited Aswan then Edfu and Luxor. In Luxor, the group met with the new members of a Lions Club to be established there. Dr. Emam El-Rifaei and Dr. Sami Gabr entertained the group with their jokes and laughs. They were escorted by a superb guide, Ms. Vivian Dawood.

A DAY AT 10^TH OF RAMADAN & OSTRICH FARM:

More than 50 members from several clubs joined a tour of some factories at the 10^th of Ramadan city on Saturday, March 1^st, 2003. They visited first, the Saratoga Factory for blankets and were offered large discounts. The Eastern Weaver Company Chaired by Mr. Farid Khamis welcomed the group in their VIP lounge and showed them a film about the company. The group visited the factory for carpets and was very impressed with the high quality and technology used in production of the carpets which sell very well all over the world. The company offers 25% discounts for members of Lions Clubs in all of its outlets.

The group visited the first ostrich farm in Egypt and learned all about this bird from the owner of the farm, Mr. Mostafa Al-Boraie who is a member of Cairo Capital Lions Club. They tasted the ostrich meat prepared in different ways in the lunch buffet.

THE SECOND ASSEMBLY AT DREAMLAND:

On Saturday, March 8^th,2003 , Dr. Ahmed Bahgat, the Chairman of Bahgat Group, invited Members, New Members and Potential Members of Lions Clubs to hold the Second Lions Assembly at Dreamland, 6^th of October City. The meeting was attended by 150 members, 50 of them are new members of the new clubs to be established (Dream, Pharoas, Cairo East, Zytoun and Gezeira). Thirteen Leos of the new Heliopolis Leo Club were also present. The main objective of the meeting was to inform new members about the objectives, ethics and procedures of Lions Clubs.

The first session included orientation remarks by the District Governor and Past District Governors:

• Dr. Hassan Emam.

• Mr. Ahmed Al Husseiny.

• Mr. Ahmed Shehata.

• Mr. Hassan Amr.

• Mrs. Mona Abo Zeid, District Youth Chairperson.

Dr. Ahmed Bahgat addressed the Assembly and expressed his views about community projects.

The second session was open discussion with the panel of club presidents:

•  Mohamed El Hawary                                  Golden

• Mr. Farouk Hashem                                      Al-Salam

• Dr. Samy Gabr                                              Heliopolis

• Eng. George Sawires                                   Cairo North

• Mrs. Nagwa El Chouekh                             Guiza

• Eng. Magdy Azab                                        Alexandria

• Mr. Heba Al-Assiouty                                 North Cairo Cosmopolitan

• Mrs. Azza Ali                                                Nevertiti

• Essam Fouad                                                 Guiza Cosmopolitan

Training on Computer and Internet:

A training course was held in the period 20 -30 April 2003 to educate lions members the main basics of computer science and how to deal with new technologies specially the access to internet and how to use e-mail to communicate easily with others.

The course was given by lion Hossam Khodeir under the supervision of the governor Dr. Mamdouh Wahba in the premises of Maadi Nile Lions Club, headed by Lion Hany Fathy; who saved no efforts to support the program with all facilities.

Dr. Mamdouh Wahba presented a Special District Governor’s Award Certificate to lion Hossam Khodeir in recognition of his distinguished efforts in managing the Internet & Computer School.

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NEWS

URGENTLY NEEDED

MATERIALS FOR THE NEWSLETTER:

The District is planning to issue a newsletter to be distributed widely during the Annual Convention of the District which will be held in May 2003 (exact date to be determined later).

Club Presidents and Secretaries are kindly requested to provide the Governor’s Office with all news and materials to be published about their clubs. Please encourage your members to send whatever material they like:

·        Personal news.

·        Stories.

·        Incidents and events.

·        Good quality color photographs.

We have to receive materials by April 7^th, 2003.

CHARITY PARTY AT OPERA HOUSE:

Garden City Lions Club is organizing a charity party at the opera house in Cairo on Thursday, March 27^th, 2003. The singer is Magda Al-Roumi. The party is intended to collect funds for the community services of the club.

Tickets are available from Dr. Awatef Seraj El-Din, President of Garden City Lions Club or her secretary Rabab.

A TRIP TO OASIS (WAHAT):

Guiza Club, presided by Mrs. Nagwa Al-Cheoukh, is organizing a trip to the Oasis in the Guiza Governorate (Wahat El-Dakhla and Frafrah). The trip is for 4 days starting April 3^rd. Transportation is by bus.

A limited number of seats are available, please contact Mrs. Nagwa.

A TRIP TO CHINA:

The District is organizing a trip to Beijing (Peking), China for 8 days starting April 29^th 2003. We are flying directly from Cairo to Beijing by Egyptair. Seven nights accommodation will be provided on bed and breakfast basis in 4 stars deluxe hotel in the center of the city. The attractive package includes all tours with 3 lunches and a traditional Duck dinner along with transportation.

For reservation please contact:

·        Mr. Mohamed El-Hawary, District Treasurer at 012/217 6696

·        Dr. Emam El-Refaie, Knight of Guiza Cosmopolitan, at 703 6555 or

703 4999

·        Mrs. Moneira Fathi, Knight of Heliopolis Cosmopolitan at 417 1383 or 012/2113656

Deadline for reservation is March 31^st.

 A GRANT FROM LCIF:

LIONS FIGHT BLINDNESS

LCIF, the community service arm of Lions Clubs International has offered District 352 of Egypt the amount of $ 59,300 for the project of fighting blindness in the villages of Guiza Governorate.

The project will be implemented in cooperation with the Institute of Research and Eye Diseases at Guiza. The Project Chairman is Mr. Maher El-Ramly and the Grant Administrator is Mr. Mohamed El-Hawary.

Lions Clubs will be required to participate actively in the project. Each Club will take care of one village. A mobile team, consisting of 4 Doctors and 2 Nurses from the Institute along with members of Lions and Leo Clubs, will visit each of the selected villages. A doctor will talk to the folks of the village about the prevention of eye diseases. A group of men and women with eye problems will then be examined by the medical team. Blind patients with cataract (white water) will be given a referral card to the Institute to have surgery. It is expected that 1500 cases will be operated during the project time. This means that 1500 blind men and women will be able to see.

We are waiting for the approval of H.E. The Minister of Social Affairs to start the project.

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