Pens for children in Swaziland:
One of our Members, Lion Steve Smith recently took a self-funded trip to Swaziland armed with pens, footballs and other items, to present to a school in Swaziland (Seven Holy Founders). In addition to being a Lion, Steve and his wife Caroline are founders of the Oxfordshire based Charity called Changing Futures that aims to provide financial and practical help to schools in Africa.
Lion Steve said "On the day we arrived at the school the headmaster had sent the Years 1-4 home because there was no food. The reason was that they could not pay the electricity bill because the government had not paid the promised school fees. No electricity meant no water (as it is pumped out of the ground) and no water meant no food or basic sanitation. Year 6 and 7 were allowed to stay because they had exams and he also felt that were old enough to last a day without food and water (even though it was over 30 degrees!). The school is going to close 3 weeks early for their long summer holiday because of the lack of money and electricity and water. We are increasing our financial support so that this does not happen again next year."
Below are a couple of photos of the chidlren at the school - one showing the Headmaster, David Thwala holding up the Lions Club of Reading banner that Steve presented and another showing the children's excitement at the football Steve bought for £2.50 and gave to them.
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Lions Club of Reading Registered Charity no: 1126848
