Zone 2B chairman Lion Eldert Louisa (centre) receives special recognition from Lions International for his work during the recent hurricane season. At left: Saba Lions Club president Lion Glenn Pileo with St. Maarten Lions Club president Lion Alison Busby at right.
SABA--Lions president Glenn Pileo hosted the third Advisory Zone 2B meeting this past weekend on the “Unspoiled Queen.” More than 63 Lions and Leos from Zone 2B, including St. Maarten, Saba, St. Eustatius and Anguilla, came together for informational meetings, fellowship and a strengthening of already tight bonds. Lions from Statia participated by Internet.
This year’s Zone Chairman St. Maarten Lion Eldert J. Louisa said the focus of the Lions’ International programme is sight and diabetes, both exceedingly important in the Caribbean with its high rate of “sugar.”
“You can live with diabetes,” Louisa emphasized and cited a close family member who has lived with the disease for 40 years. However, even this family member lost an eye to the disease because of a lack of early screening, which is vitally important.
Louisa said a recent Lions programme in St. Maarten’s secondary schools revealed that about 30 per cent of students needed visual aids.
Louisa praised the Saba club, which is one of the zone’s most vibrant, he said, and pointed to the very successful “Meals on Wheels” programme started and overseen by Saba Lion Carl Buncamper. “This is a very sustainable programme,” Louisa commented.
Louisa joined the Lions 11 years ago because its goal to serve matched his personal philosophy. “I wanted to make a difference and I can do that through the Lions,” he said.
Louisa has made a difference by putting his professional telecom expertise to work during the recent hurricane season. The chief technical officer at TelEm could report immediately to Lions International what was needed. This sped up getting help to the island, for which Louisa received special recognition from Lions International.
The International Lions Clubs organization is the largest service organization in the world with more than 1.4 million members and growing: Caribbean Lionism has existed for almost 50 years and Caribbean Zone 2 added five clubs this year. Membership is by personal invitation.
