Lions Clubs International has around 45,000 clubs in 197 countries, making it one of the biggest volunteer communities in the world.

Two Lions Clubs in Yokohama have been supporting the MCCOBA program through JOICFP by donating ancillary shipping costs, such as for stevedoring, packing charges, and inland transportation, for bicycles sent to Cambodia. To date, 175 bicycles have reached health workers at the grassroots level with their assistance.

From 5th to 9th April, JOICFP organized a study tour to Cambodia for ten members of the Yokohama clubs to see first hand how the bicycles make a difference to the health of the people.

The club members met with representatives of the Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC), JOICFP's counterpart, and USAID, RHAC's donor. They were informed how the bicycles are used by volunteer health workers and traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in the community to help prevent HIV/AIDS, deliver health education, distribute commodities such as condoms and medicines, and for antenatal care.

USAID was impressed how a Japanese NGO (JOICFP) was demonstrating to donors the positive effects of its assistance, and how this motivated donors to continue with their efforts.

The USAID representative said that this method of small-scale support between the business community and NGOs was something that should be further promoted.

Dr. Mam Bun Heng, Secretary of State for Health,
Cambodia (second from left),
and members of the Lions clubs and JOICFP
at the bicycle handover ceremony

In Battambang, the club members took part in a hand-over ceremony of 50 bicycles to community-based volunteers. Around 250 people attended, including Dr. Ouk Vong Vathiny, Director of Health, Battambang Province.

The director said he was very happy that JOICFP had introduced Cambodia's health situation to the Japanese public, and that the bicycles made a significant difference to reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS and maternal and child mortality.

Lions Club member hands over a bicycle to a volunteer

Field trip

A field trip to a remote rural area was a revelation to the club members as villagers had no electricity or running water. They visited the house of a TBA who by herself covers 3,000 villagers in 370 households.

The nearest health center is six kilometers away, so she uses her bicycle to pick up supplies and then deliver them to the community. Once a month she uses her own house as a health post for services such as vaccination.

The club members were very impressed by her dedication, and she explained that as a TBA she had been aware of the difficult health situation that people faced, but now that she had a bicycle she was able to do something about it.

Trained TBAs work with RHAC
using donated reconditioned bicycles

Seeing the realities in the field, the Lions Club members said they wished to continue their support, especially as they now realized the impact a small amount of money could have to save lives.