Lions Clubs International Expands Membership in West Nile, Enhances Support for Vulnerable Communities

Lions Clubs International Expands Membership in West Nile, Enhances Support for Vulnerable Communities

By Mike Rwothomio

Lions Clubs International has launched a robust community outreach initiative in West Nile to expand its volunteer base and enhance its commitment to supporting at-risk and underserved populations.

The global nonprofit, established in 1917, mobilizes volunteers to address critical human service needs, including healthcare access, food security, and environmental justice, aligning with its mission to foster community resilience through collaborative service.

During a visit to Zombo district, Lions Clubs International District Governor Allen Tush Naturinda led efforts to recruit new volunteers while officiating the induction of the newly elected leadership of the Lions Club of Nyapea.

At a ceremony on August 17, 2025, at Rest Inn Hotel in Paidha Town Council, Naturinda stated, “Expanding our volunteer base strengthens our capacity to deliver impactful community-based services.”

Naturinda, alongside Nyapea Lions Club leadership, participated in a tree-planting initiative at St. Aloysius College Nyapea, advancing the club’s commitment to environmental justice and sustainability.

She praised the Nyapea Lions Club for its effective community interventions and emphasized the value of intersectoral partnerships to maximize impact.

Accompanied by West Nile Lions Club core members, including Dr. Amos Nyathirombu and Regional Coordinator Patrick Dokcen, Naturinda visited the Lions Clubs of Yumbe and Arua, as well as St. Aloysius College Nyapea.

 At the college, she facilitated discussions with students about joining the Leo Program, a youth engagement initiative for ages 12–30 focused on service, leadership development, and community empowerment.

Naturinda encouraged the school’s headteacher to advocate for Lions’ initiatives and urged students to participate as Leos to drive collective community action.

She also advised club leadership to implement strategies for volunteer retention and engagement, such as regular program updates and public awareness campaigns to enhance community visibility.

A significant contribution came from an Arua Lions Club member, who donated 200,000 shillings to support the enrollment of Nyapea college students into the Leo Program.

Through a partnership with Lions Club Norway, the Nyapea Lions Club has implemented transformative projects, including the installation of three boreholes, the establishment of an irrigation demonstration site at Nyapea college, and support for local schools like Nyapea Girls. These initiatives also provide capacity-building opportunities for the broader community.

Additionally, the club periodically delivers free vision screenings, aligning with Lions’ global SightFirst Program to address preventable blindness.

During the induction event, new volunteers were onboarded, enhancing the club’s capacity to serve marginalized populations.

New volunteers, mentored by existing members, were encouraged to collaborate closely to advance the club’s mission.

Brother Paul Nantinda, headteacher of St. Aloysius College Nyapea, commended the Nyapea Lions Club, primarily composed of college alumni, for their sustained contributions to community well-being.

The LCIII Chairperson of Paidha Town Council, Innocent Godfred Onega, officially joined the club during the ceremony and donated over 400 tree seedlings to promote environmental sustainability and mitigate climate change impacts.

Community Support Initiatives

On August 17, 2025, under District Governor Naturinda’s leadership, the Nyapea Lions Club, with over 25 volunteers, distributed essential goods, including sugar, tea leaves, and salt, to approximately 50 new and expectant mothers at Holy Family Hospital Nyapea.

Recipients, including Wiango Esther, Esther Ayomirwoth, and Giramia Harriet from Zombo and Paidha Town Councils, expressed gratitude for the timely assistance, wishing continued success for the club’s efforts.

The club also provided dustbins to the Yellow City Women Group, a local cooperative selling ripe bananas at Guna Hill in Nyapea Sub-County. 

Ajolorwoth Joviana, a group member, praised the Lions Club, stating, “No other organization, not even local authorities or elected officials, has supported us like this. We are deeply grateful.”

Leadership Transition and Commitment

During a hour-long ceremony at Rest Inn Hotel, Naturinda officiated the swearing-in and installation of the Nyapea Lions Club’s new leadership, which will guide the organization’s community service efforts for the next year.

She urged the new leaders to promote collaboration, expand volunteer engagement, and prioritize community-driven service delivery.

The newly elected leaders committed to upholding the club’s mission of selfless service to at-risk populations.

About Lions Clubs International

Founded in 1917 by Melvin Jones in Chicago, Illinois, Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service organization, with over 1.4 million volunteers across 46,000 clubs in more than 100 countries. Guided by the motto “We Serve,” Lions address global challenges such as vision impairment, food insecurity, environmental sustainability, and youth empowerment.