African Equity primarily supports the Heroes of the Nation orphanage (the largest in Kenya) as well as other community development projects in Nyahururu and Nairobi, Kenya.
The Club first became involved in the African Equity cause through Lions member Nick Mandalis whose company - Serenity Pools and Spas - has been a regular contributor to Lions events for a long period of time.
Nick has been actively and passionately involved in African Equity since his good friend Chris Anderson built the charity 10 years ago, and has visited Kenya on several occasions over the past few years to offer a helping hand.
Thanks to generous donations, the Heroes of the Nation orphanage has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade.
What started as just seven children in one small room has grown to a facility that now accommodates, educates and cares for approximately 530 kids.
While the conditions the children experience remain tougher than most could possibly imagine, Nick says there have been remarkable improvements in how they live and learn.
“The conditions they live in are terrible,” Nick said.
“The children in the orphanages can sometimes be in class until midnight, yet they still find time to perform their regular duties such as carrying water from the well to heat up the baths for the babies.”
“They only got electricity a couple of years, but are still so well educated and go through a very thorough curriculum,” he said.
The provision of 30 computers courtesy of the Brisbane Lions will now allow the children further scope for learning.
“The school currently gets by with just one computer, so this will certainly change the way they go about things,” Nick said.
“It will set up the senior students to learn about computers and will also mean they can use a spare one to put in administration.”
“It is a wonderful gesture from the Club and things like that go a long way in struggling communities such as these.”
Lions CEO Steven Wright said the African Equity cause had touched the hearts of everyone involved with the Lions and the Club was pleased to be able to assist less fortunate kids.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to make a difference simply by contributing something that might be foreign to other cultures,” Mr Wright said.
“The Lions are a community-based organisation that is actively involved in a range of local community projects, but we also need to keep an eye on the bigger picture as well.”
A selection of Club representatives including Captain Jonathan Brown attended the African Equity Gala Ball in Brisbane late last year to help raise further funds and awareness for the worthy cause. They were joined by six ambassadors from the Kenyan orphanage who were flown out to be part of the event.
For more information about African Equity or to help the cause, please visit their website www.african-equity.com
