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Lima's First Kiwanis Club Founded

Peru gained its first Kiwanis Club in 2003 in the city of Huaraz, but Lima has never had a Kiwanis - until last month. On November 8th, the American Chamber of Commerce of Peru (AmCham Peru) was the setting for the official founding that was attended by over 40 persons. The event was nothing less than a celebration of enthusiasm for service to the children of Peru.

Speakers included Ambassador (and Honorary Kiwanis member and incoming Honorary President of ACAP) J. Curtis Struble, AmCham Executive Director Aldo Defilippi and Anne Menne of the San Rafael California Kiwanis Club and founder of the Lima club. Also at the head table were Margaret Hanson-Muse, Commercial Attaché of the U.S. Embassy and Guido Castillo, in representation of the Kiwanis Club of Huaraz.

Lima Kiwanis Charter members.

Ambassador Struble expressed his pride, as a Californian, in the role of the California Kiwanians in founding the Lima Club. He also reminded the audience of the important role that service organizations such as Kiwanis play in democratic societies. Ms. Menne spoke of the long tradition of Kiwanis, which was founded in Detroit in 1915 and now had over 600,000 members in 98 countries. She then emphasized Kiwanis’ dedication to diversity, and that the Lima Club would be bi-lingual and open to people of all nationalities and social status. To emphasize this, she announced that the sponsoring Kiwanis Clubs of San Rafael and Novato California would pay the $15 first-year membership fee for any person who is unable to join because of the cost.

Ambassador Struble and Ms. Menne then officially installed the officers of the new club: Martín Gonzáles Escobar, president, James Rudolph, first vice-president and president-elect, Natalia de Farias, secretary, and Doris Salvatierra García, treasurer. Newly installed President Escobar then offered a toast to the newest Kiwanis Club. Ms Menne was also installed as Lima Kiwanis Club Board Member, and will act as International Liaison.

Ambassdor Struble and Ms. Hanson-Muse were declared Honorary Charter Members of the Lima Kiwanis Club. In addition Ms. Menne, along with 20 other Californian Kiwanians, are full-fledged Charter members of the Club, along with 40 residents of Lima.

Kiwanis will meet twice a month; initial meetings will be held in the Colegio Carmelitas in San Antonio, Miraflores. For more information, contact Jim Rudolph at JRudolph@ec-red.com

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