Sylvester Neal

Kiwanis International Trustee

"PACIFIC NORTHWEST DISTRICT KIWANIS/AFRICAN CLUB PARTNERSHIP"

At Sylvester’s first board meeting in October 2005, he learned about the need for “partner clubs” to help sustain Kiwanis clubs in Africa. In response to this need, and working with Kiwanis International staff, Sylvester put out a call for help from clubs in his home district. The response was immediate and overwhelming.

As a result, partnership relations are now flourishing between Pacific Northwest District clubs and nine Kiwanis clubs in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya. The partnerships include the development of personal relationships, funding support, service ideas, and mentoring resulting in African clubs increasingly empowered to improve the quality of service to their communities. The effort is building bridges of international understanding among Kiwanians thousands of miles apart, has improved the Kiwanis image in Africa and has encouraged recruitment and growth in the African clubs.

The following article, “A Call For Help", published by Sylvester Neal, was sent to all partnering clubs.

A CALL FOR HELP

Kiwanis was introduced into Africa in mid 1970 and clubs were established in many countries at that time. However, due to a lack of connection with the Kiwanis world and also the lack of resources to carry out meaningful service projects, many of the clubs simply vanished into thin air. The good news, though, is that a few survived and are now struggling to make themselves relevant in their communities so they do not die away like their predecessors.

This problem in Africa is not a new one. It exists in many developing countries and across the globe. It is my view that many of these clubs closed for lack of mentoring and support. If we are to grow as an organization, we must build new clubs, work on membership retention, and help existing, struggling clubs.

This Kiwanis African Partnership was implemented to help those energetic, but struggling, clubs in Africa grow and survive. Currently there are 11 Kiwanis clubs in Africa (three in Kenya, two in Ghana and six in Nigeria).

The clubs are at different stages of development and each club has its own needs. Sharing information (newsletters, photos, fundraising, project ideas, etc) will reinforce the global friendship and fellowship between both clubs.

In addition to helping these clubs grow and providing quality service to their communities, I hope you will find this to be a rewarding experience for all.

THE RESULTS