A.P. Singh of Lions Clubs International Foundation: Shared Global Commitment Is the Primary Engine of Sustainable Humanitarian Recovery

As a part of this series, we had the pleasure to interview A.P. Singh.

A.P. Singh, of Kolkata, India, is the Chairperson of Lions Clubs International Foundation. A Lion since 1984 and a member of the Calcutta Vikas Lions Club. In recognition of his service to the association, Chairperson Singh has received numerous awards, including multiple International President’s Awards, as well as the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor the association grants its members. He is a major gift donor for Campaign SightFirst II and Campaign 100, and a progressive Melvin Jones Fellow. In addition to his Lion activities, Chairperson Singh has initiated various service programs in collaboration with other trusts, foundations and corporate houses. He has worked on establishing a web-based Lion leadership development platform, a micro-finance program, and has organized multiple large-scale online events to keep Lions engaged. Singh has three children.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us about one or two life experiences that most shaped who you are today?

My family and my education have had the greatest influence on who I am. My parents taught me the values of community life and community service. They helped me understand that we each have a responsibility to contribute to the well-being of others.

I also attended a Catholic missionary school and college. Those experiences, together with the values I learned at home, helped shape my understanding of service and the importance of living a purposeful life.

Which three character traits have been most instrumental to your success? Can you share stories or examples?

I would say perseverance, reliance and trust in others and the ability to work with flexibility.

Perseverance is essential to accomplish large goals and address difficult challenges. I have seen this in Lions who remain committed to relief efforts long after an immediate crisis has passed. In Nepal, for example, Lions were spending their days with families displaced by flooding, comforting them and helping arrange medical care. They were committed to continuing that support as people worked to rebuild their lives.

Trust in others is equally important. For instance, I work closely with Sangeeta Jatia, who is a past international director with Lions International. Our relationship depends on mutual trust. Any large project requires people to work together. A leader must be willing to rely on others and value what they contribute.

Flexibility helps make that teamwork possible. People bring different viewpoints and perspectives. I believe we must give them space, respect their ideas and involve them in the work.

What is the most interesting discovery you have made since you started leading your organization?

What has struck me most is how Lions in every level of the organization deeply care about their work to make the world a better place. They are really concerned about human rights, environmental challenges and the disasters affecting people around them. Those concerns are shared across countries and cultures.

Lions across the globe are expanding access to health care, improving educational facilities and mobilizing communities through health screening initiatives. In New Zealand, for example, Lions’ mobile skin cancer detection van reaches people in remote areas. In Australia, Lions are supporting cancer detection, corneal transplant research and disaster preparedness. All of these initiatives are enhanced through LCIF grant funds.

Lions cannot resolve every challenge but they help whenever and wherever they can. They organize relief, support recovery and help people facing difficult circumstances. Seeing that shared commitment around the world has been a powerful reminder of what is possible when Lions come together to serve.

How do you or your organization intend to make a significant social impact?

At Lions Clubs International Foundation, we help strengthen the service Lions provide by bringing resources and people together. Our work involves local authorities, community organizations, local businesses, international organizations and United Nations agencies.

Lions and LCIF leverage the strengths of our partnerships and Lions commitment to grassroots service to meet local needs in communities across the world. We can accomplish more by recognizing what others do well and working together.

This approach can be seen in projects across India. In Howrah, West Bengal, the Lions established a state-of-the-art community kitchen supported by LCIF, building on more than two decades of service through its Food for Life program. The kitchen provides nourishing meals to hundreds of people every day, demonstrating how local commitment, supported by our global foundation, can expand community impact. Lions in India have also established blood banks, set up hundreds of schools and responded repeatedly to natural disasters. These efforts address different needs, but they share a commitment to helping communities become healthier, better educated and more secure. LCIF helps Lions expand what they can accomplish.

What makes you passionate about this cause?

As chairperson of LCIF, I see every day how generosity can change lives. What inspires me most is when I witness someone giving their time, skills or resources to help others. I believe we all have a responsibility to leave the world better than we found it. Seeing Lions embrace that responsibility energizes me.

Being a Lion offers a meaningful and purposeful way of life. It gives us opportunities to contribute to our communities, build relationships with people who care and set an example for the future.

That is why I see giving to LCIF as an investment in humanity and future generations. Every contribution helps Lions respond to community needs, build essential facilities and expand services that improve lives. Donor generosity is more than giving. It is creating opportunities for others and leaving a legacy that continues long after we are gone.

Without naming names, can you share a story about someone who benefited from your initiatives?

During a visit to Indonesia, I saw a home where children receiving cancer treatment could stay with their parents. LCIF funding, together with local support, helped expand the facility.

Seeing the children and their parents there was heartwarming. Treatment can require families to spend time away from home, and this project provided a place where they could stay together during that difficult time.

What made the visit especially memorable was the person leading the project. He was a cancer survivor. His dedication was apparent in everything he did. He had taken his own experience and devoted himself to helping other families. The home showed what can happen when personal commitment, community support and LCIF funding come together.

What are three actions anyone could take to help address the root cause of the problem you are trying to solve?

1. First, recognize a need and begin doing something about it. Discussing a problem is important, but progress requires action. Identify where you can contribute your time, knowledge or resources in your local community.
2. Second, work with others. Our individual capacity is limited. Joining with people and organizations that bring different strengths helps us respond more effectively. A Lions club gives people a practical way to do that in their own community.
3. Third, continually review the results. Ask whether the work is producing the intended benefit and whether the approach needs to change. We should not continue doing something simply because that is how we started. Learning and adjusting can help us improve our impact.

What are the “5 Things You Need To Create A Successful & Effective Nonprofit That Leaves A Lasting Legacy?” Can you share a story or example for each?

1. Commitment to Service

Lions International has six core values: Commitment to Service, Dedication to Excellence, Appreciation for Diversity, Dynamic Collaboration, Personal and Professional Integrity and Spirit of Innovation.

2. Integrity and Respect

People must be able to trust the organization and its leaders. That responsibility extends to how we treat the people we serve. In Nepal, I saw Lions supporting people who had lost homes, businesses and family members. They provided assistance respectfully, recognizing the dignity of each person.

3. Appreciation for Diversity

People bring different experiences, perspectives and abilities. A successful organization makes room for those contributions. In my own teamwork, I have learned the importance of giving people space to express their views and involving them meaningfully. Respect helps people contribute their best. An organization must also be ready to adapt to new technology and keep asking whether our activities are achieving the results we intend. We must be willing to learn and improve.

4. Dynamic Collaboration

Different organizations bring different strengths. Combining those strengths can increase what we accomplish. The home for children receiving cancer treatment in Indonesia is just one example. LCIF funding, partnership with Texas Children’s Hospital’s Global HOPE program and local contributions helped build an outpatient treatment center for children fighting cancer in Kenya. Just across the street, LCIF grant funds helped establish a hostel where these children and their families can stay during treatment. Partnerships like this allow us to build on one another’s capabilities and reach more people.

5. Spirit of Innovation

An organization must be willing to adapt, innovate and evolve. Staying static in a changing world prevents growth and impact. By constantly seeking new ways to address old problems, we ensure that our legacy is one of continuous improvement and lasting change.

How has the pandemic changed your definition of success?

I have come to realize that success is not simply measured by what we accomplish during good times, but by how we respond when times are difficult. It is about resilience, compassion and our willingness to adapt while staying true to our mission of service.

As Lions, we faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic. The way we met, the way we served, and the way we connected with our communities had to change. We did not allow those challenges to stop us. We found new and creative ways to serve those in need, embraced technology to stay connected and learned how to meet safely.

One of our proudest accomplishments was successfully completing Campaign 100 during the pandemic. The campaign raised US$325 million to support humanitarian service, demonstrating what Lions can achieve when we remain united by a shared purpose. Even when facing unprecedented challenges, our commitment to kindness and service prevailed.

How do you find inspiration after a setback?

I find inspiration in the dedication of people who continue serving others. Their example reminds me why the work matters and inspires us to continue.

Many years ago, I visited eye surgery camps in India supported by LCIF’s SightFirst program. Surgeries were performed in temporary facilities, and Lions, including doctors who were members, cared for patients over several days. They worked day and night, looking after people until they were ready to go home.

The commitment of those volunteers has stayed with me. One surgeon described his work as an act of worship. Remembering that sincerity and sense of purpose helps remind me that this is a great organization where people really discover themselves and recognize how serving with Lions adds value to their lives.

Is there a prominent leader you would like to speak with about the idea behind your nonprofit?

I would welcome further conversations with the leadership of Khalsa Aid. It is an organization whose dedication to humanitarian service reflects much of the spirit I see in Lions.

Khalsa Aid had worked with Lions before receiving our Humanitarian Award during the 108th Lions International Convention in Hong Kong. Its work alongside Lions in Nepal further demonstrated that shared commitment to helping people in need.

I am interested in how we can continue building relationships like this. When organizations understand one another’s purpose and bring complementary strengths, there is an opportunity to accomplish more together.

How can readers follow your progress online?

Visit LCIF.org to learn more about Lions International and our global foundation, LCIF. You can explore stories of how donor generosity and the volunteer service of Lions are improving lives around the world.

I also invite you to consider becoming a member of a Lions club. Being a Lion offers a meaningful way to give back, meet people who share a commitment to service and help address needs in your community. It is a chance to contribute to a better world while adding purpose to your own life.

Thank you so much for the time you spent with us today!