The Birth of the Winnipeg Ma'di Lions Club!
Over the last few years, Winnipeg has been blessed with an influx of displaced persons from East Africa. included among them was a significant number of people from the Ma'di district of South Sudan and Uganda, As we all know, this area has been severely traumatized by sectarian violence which culminated with the creation of the new predominantly Christian Country of South Sudan.
With the influx of these immigrants, they sought to support each other through the creation of an organization called " Ma'di Community of Manitoba". After a short existence, one individual, Akeri Isara rose to the forefront as a determined leader for his community. Akeri was already a Lions Club member from the previous involvement in other countries. Through his efforts, he was able to convince the members of the Ma'di people in Winnipeg to increase their impact by joining Lions Clubs International. Thus, on Saturday, September 25th, 2015 the Ma'di community met for the last time and formed the Winnipeg Ma'di Lions Club. At that time, although the new Traditional Lions Club had not been formally designated, the founding membership elected a slate of officers to lead the group into the future as the Winnipeg Ma'di Lions Club " Here I am Lion".
The Lions Club of Winnipeg was approached and agreed to be the sponsor for this new club and eventually, Lions Alan Whitson and Ernie Jones were named guiding Lions. The Winnipeg Ma'di Lions Club received its charter on March 22nd, 2016 and thus began their wonderful journey into Lionism. We commemorate their formation on the Charter Celebration Night this Saturday, June 4th, 2016 here at Lions Place in the City of Winnipeg.
We serve where we live since 2016!
The Name Ma'di!
The name Ma'di refers to the people or tribe who live in Magwi County in South Sudan and the adjacent districts of Adjumani and Moyo in North Uganda. From south to north, their area runs from Nimule at South Sudan border with Uganda to Nyolo River. From East to West, it runs from Parajok to Uganda across the river Nile. The Ma'di refer to each other as belonging to a suru ( clan or tribe).
The word Ma'di could also mean a person, or Here I am. The Ma'di speakers refer to their language as Ma'di ti. Literally, it means the mouth of Ma'di.
In a nutshell, depending on how you pronounce it, the word Ma'di means People, or Trible or Here I am. When we refer to our club as the Winnipeg Ma'di Lions Club Club, we are actually saying that the members of this club are the Ma'di People.
Madam Speaker, today we are joined by Lion's Club representatives from the following branches in Manitoba: Winnipeg Beach, Dunnottar, Lakeside, Riverside, Shoal Lake, Winnipeg West, East Kildonan, Winnipeg South, Ste. Anne, Winnipeg Ma'di, West St. Paul, Stonewell & District, Crystal City, Brandon Wheat City, Beausejour, Rapid City and Area, East St. Paul, Pinawa & Minnedosa. On October 3, 2016. in Manitoba Legislative Building Winnipeg Manitoba! 
MP Daniel Blaikie, MLA Matt Wiebe, Concordia Council Jason Schreyer, DG Lion Mike, Congratulations to the Winnipeg Ma'di Lions Club! Their membership includes Winnipegers that came from South Sudan and Uganda. Many came as refugees and are looking to give back to the community where they got their new start. It was honour to participate in their opening club meeting place in the Concordia area on December 3, 2016. Winnipeg.
The President of Lions Clubs International (LCI), Gudrun Yngvadottir, has appointed Past District Governor Lion Mrs. Gloria Esi Lassey, as a constitutional Area Chairperson for Africa, the Islands in the Indian Ocean and the Middle East under the New Voices Initiative.
5M11-Lions e-District Houses: https:// www.e-district.org/sites/5m11/
Lions MD5M - Home: https:// www.lionsmd5m.org/
Lions Clubs Interational: https:// www.lionsclubs.org 
Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world.
