Optimist International is pleased to periodically showcase some of the fantastic work being done to improve the lives of young people around the globe. The Optimist Club of Malta which is fast approaching its second anniversary continues an excellent program designed to help primary aged students with their homework. The Club has established four centers in the country through which volunteers assist students with their studies after school. The students recently were treated to a visit to Mdina, a fortified city in the northern region of the country, that served as the national capital from antiquity to the medieval period. The Club hopes to expand the program to other areas once funding is secured.

Education is also the focus of a project from one of Optimist International’s

42 Clubs in Nepal. The Optimist Club of Talispur held what it dubbed a “Bringing Out the Best” event at a local school. Students received social counseling and training aimed at developmental and physical health through the promotion of an optimistic life philosophy.

One of the Optimist Clubs in Ghana had a road trip this fall. The Tema District Optimist Club travelled 100KM to three villages in the Volta region of the country. More than 100 people gathered at a local church to receive items that had been donated to the Optimists. These included new and used clothes, shoes, mosquito nets, baby diapers, shirts and jeans. The donations were spread out between three congregations of the church.

The Nepal District of Optimist International continues to grow.  The Dharan City Optimist Club organized in November thanks to the sponsorship by the Optimist Club of Bagmati, Nepal and the Uptown Optimist Club of Great Falls Montana. The District welcomed the Sagarmantha Optimist Club with the help of the Brillion, Wisconsin Optimist Club and the Optimist Club of Lalitpur. Meanwhile, the Scholars Optimist Club of Lalitpur Nepal became the 44^th Club in the District thanks to the efforts of the Optimist Club of Patan and the Optimist Club of St Cloud, Minnesota.

Optimist International also has plans to announce very soon the development of our first Club in another Asian country.