Two new Optimist Clubs joined the ranks of those located outside North America and the Caribbean in January. Fifteen people came together in the Jhapa, Nepal to organize a Club. Optimist Clubs in Kathmandu and Pokhara are sponsoring the new Club in Jhapa, which is located near the borders of India and Bangledesh.
"We have been waiting for this moment," said Jhapa President, Khagendra Oli.
"Serving as Charter President provides you with the unique opportunity to develop the foundation and traditions that will sustain and guide your Club for many years to come," said International President, Nick Prillaman, in a message to Mr. Oli. "I hope you are as excited as I am about having you and your fellow Members become part of the Optimist International organization."
Jhapa is the fifth Optimist Club established in Nepal since June 2017.
Meanwhile, the expansion of Optimist International in Uganda continues. The COCLAD Optimist Club of Kagadi organized with 23 Members. Kagadi is found 246 km west of the Ugandan capital of Kampala. It was sponsored in part by the KAMP Optimist Club in Uganda, making COCLAD the second Club sponsored by KAMP this Optimist year. The West Bloomfield Optimist Club in Michigan is the co- sponsor of the new Club
There has been a reorganization of sorts on
the island nation of Haiti, where Optimist
International has had a presence since 2013. The Club recently added 11 Members to its roster bringing membership to 20. It has formed an executive committee and plans to launch an initiative in the spring to generate more interest and awareness aboutOptimist International in Haiti. A ceremony is scheduled for next month to induct the 11 people into the Optimist family.