Natene: Rotary Youth Exchange unlocked my opportunities

My name is Gertrude Natene Bwaya, currently a student at Kabojja International School. I am 18 years old, and a Paul Harris Fellow (+1). Last year, while the Vice-President of the Interact Club of British School of Kampala, I became the first student from District 9211 to participate in the Rotary Youth Exchange – Outbound only Program.

was hosted by District 6960 – Southwest Florida, USA. The District also hosted seven other exchange students, namely: Ana Clara Martins Meira (Brazil), Matteo Ganassi (Italy), Regina Castellanos (Mexico), Damien Tison (France), Juline-Sophie Jadzinski (Germany), Jano Cernak (Slovakia), and Sara Lehtiniemi (Finland).

enjoyed a magical bond with my host parents –Past President Wayne and Past District Governor Sandra Hemstead. With them, I visited the State of Georgia, went rock climbing (indoors) and even fulfilled my dream of swimming with dolphins! They introduced me to their friends and families who treated me like one of their own.

Community Engagements was warmly welcomed by the various communities like the Naples United Church of Christ, Naples Therapeutic Riding Center, and at Gulf Coast High School in Collier County.

took part in the fall musical, engagements with different school clubs, and even the annual cabaret! Overall, the entire school welcomed me - right from the teaching and hygiene staff, those in nutritional services, and the students.

My host and sponsor club was Rotary Club of Bonita Beach Sunset, in collaboration with RC Bonita Springs. Through the Interact Club of Gulf Coast High School, I also interacted with RC Naples Bay. I enjoyed the meetings at the various clubs visited namely - RC Venice, RC Fort Myers Sunset, RC Naples, and the DeSoto High School Interact.

enjoyed the community service projects like Meals of Hope where we either distributed food at the food pantries or in the warehouses packing the food. At the Naples Therapeutic Riding Center, I volunteered to be a side-walker – so while sessions were on going, would walk beside the person riding a therapeutic horse and be a support point.

A perk to interacting with many people is you learn how to connect with people of all ages, backgrounds and professions. It was great connecting with an 80-year-old, still have no trouble relating with a 3-year-old, and even connect with my age mates! learnt about cultural differences - from the Haitians in my school, to the ‘snowbirds’ that vacationed in