International Lions Clubs District 411B governor Wilson Ndesanjo (L) and
IPP Executive Chairman Dr Reginald Mengi hold International Order of the
Lions Award at grand banquet in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday night.
The International Association of Lions Clubs has honoured IPP Executive
Chairman Dr Reginald Mengi with the International Order of the Lion, the
highest award it bestows to renowned philanthropists.
The gold medal and a certificate of recognition were presented to Dr Mengi
at a gala banquet in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday night by Lions Clubs
International District 411B (Tanzania-Uganda) Governor Wilson Ndesanjo.
Ndesanjo, who represented IALC President Barry Palmer, told the dignitaries
at the function that Dr Mengi was honoured for his “selfless dedication to
humanity and a determination to labour for the public welfare”.
“In such humanitarian endeavours you have always upheld the ideas and
objectives of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service
organisation,” he said, adding that Dr Mengi’s spirit of helping people
especially those with disabilities just cannot be underestimated.
“Alone we can do so little but together we can do so much,” said Ndesanjo,
hailing the IPP Executive Chairman for his endless support to Lions clubs
and to the larger community.
Ndesanjo said through his 5000 staff members in his companies, Dr Mengi has
reached more than 500,000 people in Tanzania as beneficiaries.
In remarks shortly after receiving the award, Dr Mengi revealed that it was
from Lions clubs that he drew the inspiration to devote part of his life to
humanitarian activities.
“This is not my award; it is ours. I was inspired by Lions to do all this,”
he said, noting that all his achievements had God’s support and blessing.
“It’s wonderful for one to use part of one’s achievements to help God’s
people. You will not be remembered by how much your bank account or
business was a success but for your contributions and support to others in
needy situation,” explained the IPP Executive Chairman.
The dignitaries who graced the banquet included members of the diplomatic
corps and prominent members of the business community.
Lions Club now operate with over 46,000 clubs and 1.4 million members
worldwide but in Tanzania it has only 500 members, according to
Sub-Treasurer Yusuf Dalal.
He appealed for more “to join us, as more hands mean more and better
services to the community”.
Dalal said since its inception in Dar es Salaam, Lions Club has trained
more than 300 teachers and expects to train 500 more by next year.
He also noted that they have so far sponsored more than 3,000 patients to
undergo specialised treatment in India, adding: “However, most
interestingly, Dr Mengi alone has sponsored more than 100 patients to
undergo lifesaving heart surgeries in India.”