New Kiwanis club in Pakistan completes water project 

New Kiwanis club in Pakistan completes water project 

Jul 10, 2024 | Club building, General interest, News, Service projects | 0 comments

In its first year, the club has changed the lives of hundreds through access to clean water.

By Tony Knoderer

In its first year of existence, the Kiwanis Club of Pakistan has already made a major impact. The club recently completed a water project in a village in Sindh — transforming the lives of local residents, who previously traveled up to 20 kilometers (about 12.43 miles) for access to clean water.

“We have been able to provide a sustainable water source within the village,” says Peter Johnson, club president. “This project not only alleviates the daily struggles of the villagers but also brings newfound hope and happiness to their lives.” 

Johnson answered a few questions via email regarding the club and the project.  

Your club is new — did it start so you could do this project?
Our club was not specifically started for this project. However, the need for clean water in the Sindh village became one of our primary initiatives after hearing about the villagers’ plight. The dedication of our members and their desire to make a tangible difference inspired us to take on this vital project. 

What inspired your members to form a club?
The Kiwanis Club of Pakistan was formed by a group of individuals who share a common vision of serving communities and improving lives. Our members are driven by a passion for humanitarian work and the belief that collective efforts can bring about meaningful change. 

How did you learn about the need for your project?
Our club became aware of the need for clean water in this village through our outreach programs and interactions with the local community. The villagers expressed their struggles and the immense challenge of traveling long distances to access water, which highlighted the urgent need for this project. 

How did you work with the village to provide the water?
We collaborated closely with the village leaders and residents to understand their specific needs and the best locations for the water pumps. This cooperation ensured that the installation process was smooth and that the water sources were accessible to all villagers. 

Do you know how many people this project helps?
The installation of the water pumps has significantly impacted the entire village. Hundreds of residents, including children and the elderly, now have access to clean drinking water, which is crucial for their health and well-being.

“The joy and gratitude of the villagers,” Johnson adds, “is a testament to the power of community and collective effort. We believe that this success story can serve as a model for similar initiatives in other parts of the world. We are eager to share our experience and collaborate with global leaders and organizations to address such fundamental needs.” 

New Kiwanis club in Africa brings fresh hope to kids 

New Kiwanis club in Africa brings fresh hope to kids 

Jul 9, 2024 | Club building, General interest, News, Service projects | 0 comments

The Kiwanis Club of Goma has already helped with school supplies and psychological support for kids dealing with trauma.

By Julie Saetre
Submitted by the Kiwanis Club of Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa 

In the city of Goma, nestled in the south of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, stories of war, conflict and volcanic eruptions have become an omnipresent backdrop in the lives of its residents. It is in this challenging context, where hope sometimes seems a rare commodity, that Paluku Mathe Patrick decided to sow the seeds of a better future.

Deeply rooted in his community, Paluku had witnessed the immense challenges Goma faced. Since his childhood, he had seen his city ravaged by armed conflicts and families displaced by the eruptions of Nyiragongo. Most important, he had seen the most vulnerable — children — pay the heaviest price. They were often deprived of their fundamental rights, their education, their safety and their innocence.

Something had to be done, he decided, to transform his frustration into action and his despair into hope. This is how he learned about Kiwanis International, which offered an opportunity and a light at the end of the tunnel. After researching Kiwanis and contacting members of the organization, he realized that it could be the ideal platform for change. So Paluku began the process of chartering a Kiwanis club in Goma.

It wasn’t simple. It required convincing skeptics, overcoming bureaucratic obstacles and mobilizing limited resources. But, determined, Paluku gathered a group of like-minded individuals ready to invest their time, skills and energy in the cause of serving children.

In February 2024, the Kiwanis Club of Goma was officially chartered, driven by a collective dream of protection and support for the community’s youngest. The club’s first projects were modest but significant: distribution of school supplies, organization of recreational days and implementation of psychological support programs for children traumatized by violence and natural disasters.

“The children of Goma are beginning to smile and dream again,” Paluku says. “Parents see hope reborn, and the community has begun to rebuild around a shared vision of solidarity and resilience.

“The Kiwanis Club of Goma is a beacon of hope in a region often plunged into darkness. It reminds everyone that, even in the darkest moments, there is always a possible light if we choose to ignite it.” 

Lee Kuan Yong elected 2024-25 president of Kiwanis International

Lee Kuan Yong elected 2024-25 president of Kiwanis International

Jul 6, 2024 | General interest | 0 comments

Other election results include Michael Mulhaul as president-elect and Hope Markes as vice president 

Lee Kuan Yong of Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, was elected president and Michael Mulhaul of Interlaken, New Jersey, U.S., was elected president-elect during the House of Delegates at the 2024 Kiwanis International Convention in Denver, Colorado, U.S. Hope Markes of the Eastern Canada and Caribbean District was elected vice president. All begin their terms on October 1, 2024. 

These three Kiwanians were elected trustees for the United States and Pacific Canada Region:

    • Dawn Puderbaugh Hodges of the Carolinas District.
    • Jo Schwartz of the Kansas District.
    • Scott Sims of the Alabama District.

Also joining the board for three-year terms will be Mario Bruni of Western Canada District, as a trustee for the Canada and Caribbean Region, and Maura Magni of the Italy-San Marino District as trustee for the Europe Region. Filip Delanote of the Belgium-Luxembourg District will join the board for a one-year term to fill the vacancy left by the passing of Vincent Salembier.

Amendments 

The House of Delegates also voted on proposed amendments to the Kiwanis International Bylaws.  

The following amendments were approved: 

    • Onetime Dues Increase (Amendment #1): Submitted by the Kiwanis International Board, this amendment will increase Kiwanis International dues to US$77 for clubs in Tier 1 and US$34 for Tier 2. (For tiers, see Amendment #2.) This amendment will bring in a projected additional revenue of US$4 million annually. Combined with careful budget practices and ongoing cost reductions, the increase will help reduce future deficits and ensure the organization’s long-term financial health.
    • Reduction of Dues Tier Levels (Amendment #2): The Kiwanis International Board submitted this amendment, which will reduce the number of dues tiers from three to two. Combined with the adoption of Amendment #1, dues for Tier 1 will now be US$77 and for Tier 2, $US34. 
    • Kiwanis International Board Composition (Amendment #3): Submitted by the Kiwanis International Board, this amendment will reduce the number of Kiwanis International trustees from 15 to 12, beginning with elections in 2025 and being completed by the elections in 2027. This amendment will generate savings of US$18,750 per year over current levels. 
    • Election of District Trustees (Amendment #4): The Kiwanis International Board submitted this amendment, which will allow a member from outside a district’s region to serve as district trustee if no one from within the region is willing or able to serve. 

The following amendments were not approved: 

    • Dues Increase Over Four Years, With Automatic Increases After (Amendment #6): This amendment would have increased Kiwanis International dues over a four-year period and then by US$1-US$2 each year thereafter.  
    • Remote Voting (Amendment #8): This amendment would have allowed for final voting during Kiwanis International conventions to take place globally via secure remote voting.
    • Prohibition On Alcohol Purchases (Amendment #9): This amendment would have prohibited the use of any Kiwanis International revenue to purchase alcohol for or by Kiwanis International Board members or staff or their spouses or companions. 
    • Prohibition on Airfare Purchases (Amendment #10): This amendment would have prohibited the use of any Kiwanis International revenue — including membership dues, fees, or non-dues revenue — to purchase first-class or business-class airfare for or by the Kiwanis International Board members or staff or their spouses or companions. 

The following amendments were withdrawn by the submitters after passage of Amendments 1 and 2, respectively: 

    • Dues Increase Over Three Years (Amendment #5): Submitted by the Pacific Northwest District Board, this amendment would have increased Kiwanis International dues beginning October 1, 2024, and completed with the 2026-27 administrative year. 
    • Revised Dues Tiers (Amendment #7): Submitted by the Malaysia District Board, this amendment would have changed the basis level for each dues tier, with no change to the dues amounts. 

Details on elected leaders 

Lee Kuan Yong, the 2024-25 president, has been a member of Kiwanis International for 30 years. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Kuala Lumpur in Malasia and has served as president, secretary and treasurer. He is also a member of the Eye of the Tiger eKiwanis Club. He served as a trustee of Kiwanis International from 2011-14. He also has served as president of the Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation and was the Malaysia District governor and membership chair. Lee is married to Kon Cze Yan, a Chartered Accountant.  They have two sons and two daughters-in-law, and one grandson.

President-elect Michael Mulhaul has been a Kiwanis member for 32 years. A member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, New Jersey, U.S., he has served as its president and treasurer. He is also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Asbury Park, which he helped charter. He has been both governor and lieutenant governor of the New Jersey District and is currently president of the New Jersey District Foundation and a Kiwanis Children’s Fund trustee. Mulhaul and his wife and fellow Kiwanian, Laura, have three adult children, a son-in-law and a grandchild. Mulhaul will serve as president in 2025-26.

Hope Markes, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Hopewell in Hanover, Jamaica, was district governor in 2013-14  and previously served as lieutenant governor.  At the district level,  she was a member of the Strategic Planning Committee and was regional vice chair for The Formula, a membership growth initiative of Kiwanis International. She has also served on the Membership and Education committees. At the club level, she twice served as president. She served as secretary and chair of the Fundraising, Membership and Interclub committees. Markes will serve as president in 2026-27.
The 2025 Kiwanis International Convention will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S., June 25-28.