TB Cancer & Health isn't usually on the itinerary of cruise ship passengers in Bermuda.

But it was for around 70 New England Kiwanis Club members who cruised to Bermuda on the Norwegian Dream.

Kiwanis is a global organisation of volunteers dedicated to improving the lives of children. There are three Kiwanis clubs in Bermuda.

The Royal Gazette met up with the New England Kiwanian cruisers at TB Cancer & Health earlier this month.

"This is our fourth cruise to Bermuda," said New England lieutenant governor John Maihos of Beverly, Massachusetts. "We love Bermuda so much we thought how could we not do some type of community service?"

While in Bermuda the cruisers from Kiwanis clubs all over New England met with Bermuda Kiwanians including Bermuda Kiwanis Clubs lieutenant governor David Burgess.

"In previous years, we did some painting and maintenance work at the Sunshine League," said Mr. Maihos.

"This year we passed out teddy bears to children at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

"We also gave a special trauma teddy bear to the Kiwanis Key Club at CedarBridge Academy. They were going to give it to the little sister of Rhiana Moore."

While here the group also met with several Bermudian officials such as the Premier, the Mayor of Hamilton and the Mayor of St. George's.

At TB Cancer & Health they helped stuff envelopes for mammogram reminders, and they also helped make up special mammogram kits that go out to all women who get mammograms.

"While here they also visited Windreach Recreational Village," said Mr. Burgess. "We are hoping to start a project involving people with special needs."

Mr. Maihos said he thought Windreach was a "phenomenal" programme.

He was also impressed with students he met in the CedarBridge Academy Key Club, a youth division of Kiwanis.

"They wonderfully enthusiastic and anxious to serve in their community," said Mr. Maihos. "Encouraging youth whether through Kiwanis or through other programmes is going to pay back huge dividends. I would encourage anyone to be involved in community service in any manner. We would love it to be through Kiwanis, but anything like that is good."

There are two Key Clubs in Bermuda, one at Berkeley Institute and one at CedarBridge Academy. There are three groups for even younger students at St. David's, East End Primary and St. George's Preparatory School. "We would like to get more schools involved in the Kiwanis programme," said Mr. Burgess. "It is leadership for our young people. It is something to do instead of sitting around doing absolutely nothing. It is something to help our young people be more directed."

Bermuda Kiwanis Club lieutenant governor Mr. Burgess said he first got involved in Kiwanis in 1995 when he did a Kiwanis charity golf tournament with his mother-in-law.

"I joined a short time after that and in 2002 became the president of the St. George's Kiwanis Club," said Mr. Burgess. "This year I became lieutenant governor of the Kiwanis of Bermuda.

"I did my first international conference this month in Orlando. It is all a learning process for me."

Mr. Maihos said he got involved in Kiwanis through his workplace, and has now been involved for 23 years.

In New England, Kiwanis sponsors a paediatric trauma centre at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts.

"We give thousands and thousands of dollars to that," said Mr. Maihos. "We also have a child injury prevention programme.

"We give away little rubber ducks that change colour when they are in bath water that is too hot. We also have bicycle safety rodeos designed to encourage children to wear bicycle helmets."

Mr. Burgess said the Kiwanis Clubs of Bermuda were always on the look out for new members. "Even if someone wanted to start a new Kiwanis club in Bermuda," he said. "It can be at a professional level or in churches or whatever.

"The main thing is we are trying to help young people throughout the world. People who are interested in becoming a member can contact myself or any one of the clubs."

For more information telephone Mr. Burgess at 735-9022.