On January 13, the birth anniversary of Melvin Jones (the founder of Lions International), Lions members recommitted themselves to service to community with members across the globe participating in rededication ceremonies. This week on What the People Say, Lions in Berbice were asked to comment on what motivated them to join the humanitarian service organization. These were their responses:
Interviews and photos
by Jannelle Williams
Ramesh Maraj, Past President/ Zone Chairman and Director – ‘I joined the club in 1968. At that time Guyana was one zone. I have enjoyed the Lions Club because I get the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends because we all have the same aspiration of doing things for the needy and raising funds for the less fortunate. We do fund raising activities and do a lot of charity work for the underprivileged. At one time we had the Trade Winds performing in New Amsterdam; those were big days. I enjoyed lionism: travelling around the Caribbean, Canada, going to international conventions. Meeting people from all walks of life and doing things to help poor people is what it’s about. Any part of the world you go, if you walk with you membership card, you are welcomed.’
Pansy Shivmangal – ‘I’m a person who always likes to reach out to people. I was a charter member of the Lioness Club and it’s been 25 years now since I joined. A couple of years after I joined, International gave the okay for ladies to go over to the Lions. When I started it was the auxiliary club, and at that time your husband had to be a member of the club for you to join. I always like reaching out so I have enjoyed my years of service. As much as I was sick last year, bleeding in my stomach and could not have physically been with the club members on several activities, I use to still call to find out what projects they have and if I can donate anything. I just love the organization. Even though I have 11 children, I like helping and assisting other people especially children.’
Georgina Hoosley, Past President – ‘I’m always in service to people. I worked 48 years as a nurse in and out of Guyana: 28 years at the New Amsterdam Hospital and 20 plus years in the British Virgin Islands. It’s been five years now since I joined the Lion’s Club and the five years has been great. Being a Lion is wonderful; it’s a continuation of giving service. The difference is: I was paid for the 48 years of service as a nurse; now what I’m doing is voluntary – it is of my own free will and I feel this is probably more rewarding. I rather give to people than receive. So it’s a pleasure to give. I don’t look for a return. To help people gives me a sense of satisfaction that I’m doing something worthwhile with my life.’
Samuel Singh, Past President and Past Zone Chairman – ‘I’ve been a Lion approximately close to nine years now. The motivation behind becoming a lion was the fact that the Church of Christ, of which I’m a minister, has an outreach programme and we came to the Lions’ den on several occasions and made donations in the form of eye glasses. We even had joint community outreach programmes between the lions and the church and I saw what they do in terms of humanitarian work and it’s no different than what I was already involved in as a minister. The genuineness of the club and the fact that you know we have people from all sectors of life that have a desire to serve and are serving was the main motivation. It has been very challenging, dealing with human beings and you reach people with great need and it touches you emotionally. We have people with very low economic standing and you go to them and help and it puts a genuine smile on their face, it really helps you. Those are some of the things that really keep you going year after year. Sometimes you feel like you want to give up, but I am grateful for the fact that through the lions I was able to travel to outside of Guyana and do charity work.’
Donna Austin, First Vice-President – ‘Almost five years I was invited into the organization by Lion Pansy. At first you know, I was not so into it because I did not know much about them at that time. But she invited me and I came and I decided to answer the call when I learnt it was basically about helping the less fortunate; something I love to do – I love to help persons in need, even if I don’t have much. It is all about taking a little bit of what you have and giving to someone, because they may be in a worse situation than you and you can be of great help to them. For instance, when we go on our projects, I observe that children in general are more appreciative of what we do, you can see the joy in their faces; you get this good feeling. It encourages you to want to give more. So I am encouraged to want to go on to do the Lion’s work, which is serving.’
Norma Chesney, Past President – ‘I was inspired when I was working and I use to see Lions and I say you know what they look so elite let me go and join. I had a good friend who was a member and I approached her in 2000 and expressed my interest and they allowed me to join. It was nice. You know you travel a lot and meet different people out there. You see other Lions working, persons you can look up to. In 2004 I was elected president and that was hectic; that was the hardest time in my life. There was a lot of work I had to put in and I was working too and I was a mother so I had children to look after. But it was rewarding in the end. My project was to build a shed at the RDC office. I spearheaded that project. I did it so that when I retire I will be able to go there and draw my pension and have a seat to sit. Sometimes it does be rough and tough, but all in all I enjoy my time as a Lion.’
Mark Erskine – ‘I recently joined the Lions, so it hasn’t reached a year. I wanted to be a part of the biggest service organization in the world – the Lions Club. In keeping with the Lions motto: we serve, any service minded person would want to be a part of lionism because lionism is about serving and helping the less fortunate and I wanted to be a part of that. So far it’s been very much encouraging. It’s a very good feeling when you serve and you look on the faces of the less fortunate and you see the joy you bring them from simply serving. So it’s a great honour to serve.’
Marlyn La Rose, Past President and Past Zone President – ‘I have been a Lion for almost 20 years now. I come from a humanitarian service based profession that is, nursing and also at the time, the hospital administrator took the opportunity to encourage me to join the club. I joined then as a Lioness. I later answered the conversion call to turn a Lion. It has been good; you feel good doing service for people. One of the things I like is that they respond in so many ways and you feel good. They laugh; sometimes they even cry. But you know their reaction of gratefulness encourages you to go on. I like the association as well. Other than service, you get an opportunity to meet with other Lions in your zone and in your district and in your region. It’s not just good to attend meetings, we get to meet other Lions and learn about the types of programmes they are doing and we learn from each other. You get to know your country and the other countries you travel to. You find that Lions don’t have to know you, but once you have your Lions’ pin, it could be a Lion who speaks another language they would come and embrace you.’
Jennifer Conway, Past President – ‘I’ve been a Lion close to two decades. Being a community worker my sponsor recognized that I like to be involved in voluntary community work and so she encouraged me and sponsored me to join the club. It has been good for me so far because I’m a community minded person. I work in the capacity as a field officer and having moved around I saw poverty in its true sense especially in the Angoy’s Avenue where I was assigned. That led me to serve further. Once you have the desire to serve, you will serve without looking for any award, because you give of your best at all times. You can only give of your best if it is in you; if you don’t have an interest and only care about getting something out of what you are doing you won’t give of your best. My sponsor always told me, in order to be a good Lion you have to be a person who does voluntary service and likes it.’
Devindra Sookraj, Past President and Past Zone Chairman – ‘Actually I’ve been involved with the Lions for about 12 years now. My father is a Lion and he is the charter president for the East Canje Lions Club for about 35 years now. So I saw the work that they are doing – the work that they do for the less fortunate and I’m so happy that I joined this club and that I am able to contribute. I personally contribute a lot to lionism. I’m very happy to be a part of the Lions. Recently we constructed a concrete strip to give persons better access to the Reliance Cemetery and that cost millions of dollars.’
