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CONTACT US ROTARACT DISTRICT 9212 Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan Director, Brand Awareness and Public Image: pr@rotaractdistrict9212.org District Rotaract Representative: drr@rotaractdistrict9212.org Rotaract D9212 Website: www.rotaractdistrict9212.org Rotary International website: www.rotary.org/rotaract Social Media: Facebook: Rotaract District 9212 Twitter: @Rotaract_D9212 Instagram: @rotaractdistrict9212 LinkedIn: Rotaract District 9212
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THE ROTARACTOR
CONTENTS NOTES 4
Chief Editor Message
5
D9212 Director for Brand Awareness & Public Image Message
6
Rotary International President Holger Knaack Message
7
D9212 District Governor (DG) Patrick Obath Message
9
D9212 District Rotaract Representative (DRR) Kennedy Gaya Message
FEATURES 11
New Rotary Area of Focus
19
Reach One Bring One (ROBO) Membership Campaign
23
Dear Coronavirus
24
COVID-19 Interventions
28
Mt. Kenya Hike
29
We Are On The Go
31
Rotaract District 9212 Leaders 2020/21
37
D9212 Corporate Relations Committee
38
Rotary National Day - Ethiopia
46
Crossing Over
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person’s abilities influence our actions towards them which impact their beliefs about themselves. Their beliefs about themselves cause their actions towards us which again reinforce our beliefs about them. Evaluating the lessons from the stage play Pygmalion, people who do not understand what we stand for might at one point have a lot of misconceptions about our organization. Rotary/Rotaract was formed as a way of bringing together diverse professionals to foster friendships. Our main goal as Rotaract is to develop our leadership and professional skills. How do we showcase this uniqueness of our organization in a most profound way? It comes a time, as now, to redefine what we stand for and exhibit our truest self – a networking, professional, leadership and service organization – such that people, outside of our organization, are more willing to become members, partner with us or get associated with us in all useful manners.
Message from the Chief Editor
I am excited that I am not the one designing this magazine but rather giving direction to it, because, having read the articles herein and having seen the design of the magazine from different eyes, really put everything into perspective. There is never such a time as this COVID-19 era where trying to go back to the basics has really been challenged. It is time to disrupt the norm and appreciate what technology has to offer such as hosting online meetings; creating online campaigns on our social media platforms; seeking mentorships, networking opportunities and partnerships beyond our regions; hosting WhatsApp/Telegram discussions on
All Hands on Deck I will narrate to you a story of George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, a stage play based on the Greek mythology, Pygmalion. Shaw wanted to convince the public that women should get a vote during elections and so he wrote a play about a make-over story featuring a Phonetics Professor named Higgins and a rustic peasant florist lady named Eliza. Pygmalion begins in the streets where Eliza was selling flowers and she catches the eye of Higgins. Higgins bets with his friend that he could transform Eliza as an aristocrat – you know how guys love making “lame” bets with their male friends, especially about girls, didn’t start now. Shortly after, Eliza is transformed, and Higgins wins his bet. However, Eliza knows that she couldn’t go back to selling flowers and she didn’t want to become Higgins secretary – or worse, his wife. Eliza wanted to have that freedom to choose her happy ending. If you ask me, Eliza felt like she was better than Higgins…like she was a goddess. The Pygmalion effect revolves around how our beliefs about another 4
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arising matters; creating podcasts; hosting Facebook/Instagram Live sessions; creating game nights on apps like Kahoot, hosting online networking forums; running donations at the comfort of our homes; and hosting online club socials, and concerts on YouTube. Opportunities are unlimited. It is time to embrace 2020/21 as an Year of Endless Opportunities. To have that happy outcome, we must bring all hands on deck. Be involved. Be unlimited. Enjoy reading and of course, for any input, reach out to the exceptional team behind this magazine on pr@rotaractdistrict9212.org Always at your service. Rtr. Catherine Njeri, Chief Editor and Assistant District 9212 Director for Brand Awareness and Public Image. (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan)
“Forget about having an identity crisis and get some identity capital. … Do something that adds value to who you are. Do something that’s an investment in who you might want to be next.” ----Meg Jay, The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter - And How to Make the Most of Them Now. The beauty of being a rotaractor is that, in earnest, it is the best identity capital one can point to. We have mentors, we have friends and some even meet their partners in business and even life as a Rotaractor. During this tough period, we have become innovative and developed skills that may be necessary in the future. Through, Rotaract we have developed our identity capital while being each other’s support system. When someone asks have you made any investments in your life? Your immediate, unflinching answer should be yes; because as a Rotaractor each minute that passes you are engaging in an investment that will shape your life long approach to each and every step you take.
Message from the District PR
So as the District Public Image Team District 9212, we want to remind you; YOUR IDENTITY HERE IS KEY. Rtr. Wamugunda Mwangi, District 9212 Director for Brand Awareness and Public Image. (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan)
Your Identity Here is Key Editorial Team
Rtr. Joseph Kairu RAC Muthaiga
Rtr. Terry Njeri RAC Karura
Rtr. Rikkie Tumaini RAC Muthaiga
Rtn. Noel Kitonga RC Ongata Rongai East
Rtr. Timothy Ndegwa RAC Westlands
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During a recent Zoom meeting with Rotarians and Rotaractors, I looked at the smiling faces on my screen and realized how much our organization has changed in a short period. It is clear that there is no going back to the “old normal” in Rotary — and I see that as an exciting opportunity! Innovation and change are happening at so many levels as we rethink and remake Rotary. Rotary’s new flexibility is blending with digital culture to drive change in ways that many of us have never seen before. We can learn a lot from Rotarians like Rebecca Fry — who, at age 31, already has 15 years of Rotary experience.
I see Rotary as a phenomenal platform to change the world. I believe I can have the greatest influence by empowering others to create the change they wish to see in the world.
Message from the RI President
I’ve gained leadership insights through my experiences in RYLA and Rotaract, and now, as charter president of the Rotary Social Impact Network, a new e-club. Engaging Rotary program alumni is key in forming new clubs. Our club is proof that Rotaractors and other alumni want to join Rotary — but sometimes they can’t find the Rotary club that’s right for them. Our club has 31 members, all between the ages of 23 and 41, and almost all of them are alumni of Rotary programs. We need to be able to integrate and align Rotary with the other personal and professional goals we’re pursuing. In chartering this club, we set out to design a personalized model of Rotary that is focused on added value for our members. We have also sought to leverage connections — through Rotary Fellowships, Rotary Action Groups, and other international partnerships — in order to elevate our members’ experiences beyond the club. Our club meets and manages most of its projects online, using Microsoft Teams to engage 24/7 in topics that interest our members. This also means our club is not geographically bound to any one location: Although many of us are in Australia, we also have members in Germany, Italy, Mexico, Tanzania, and the United States. Also key for our club is measuring the impact of our projects. For Plastic Free July this year, we created an awareness campaign 6
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promoting ways that individuals could reduce their use of plastics, and we reached more than 6,000 people. It’s a project with a tangible impact that anyone can take part in wherever they are. I’m proud that, through our club, we are bringing people together for a new type of Rotary experience. I am excited for our future. All Rotary clubs have the opportunity to be innovative clubs, just like Bec’s club. Let’s trust those clubs, learn from them, and lend them our support. Change in Rotary happens at the grassroots level, as clubs lead the charge, defining what this new Rotary can be. Change is constant, and we have more work to do in many areas. It is important that we celebrate the contributions of people of all backgrounds and promote people from underrepresented groups so that they have greater opportunities to participate as members and leaders in Rotary. The tools to make Rotary more inclusive, more relevant, and more fun for everyone are at our fingertips. Let’s use them now, and we will see how Rotary Opens Opportunities for ourselves and for those yet to discover us. Holger Knaack President 2020-21 Rotary International.
“We
have come to the end of the first quarter of a Rotary year or as is said in some of the management circles the first 100 days.� -Rtn. Patrick Obath District Governor (DG) Rotary International District 9212
Message from the DG
(Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan) We have come to the end of the first quarter of a Rotary year or as is said in some of the management circles the first 100 days. Literacy and basic education month has now passed and we start a new theme month. We must continue to remember that illiteracy lies at the root of poverty, ranking as one of the prime impediments to earning a living and having a productive life. Some 1.1 billion of the world population of 7.8 billion (with three-fifths of them women) do not have the literacy and numeracy skills needed to hold a job or get a better one. Basic education is pertinent in helping people become self-sufficient as a way of fighting poverty. However, the opportunity to grow literacy and basic education during the month was challenging as a result of the pandemic as various learning institutions remained closed. Learning only happened in those institutions that were privileged to have access to digital assets. Despite this challenge, some opportunities were still exploited by various Rotary clubs in our District. I was able to visit clubs, both physically and digitally, with many examples of Rotarians making a difference in communities by investing resources to improve school infrastructure and learning processes. They also engaged in capacity building to accommodate learning when institutions eventually open in a Co-COVID environment. It was still an incredible month – Rotarians have innovative ways of reaching and serving communities. Good progress on membership The Rotary Club of Mwatate received its charter. Congratulations to the Charter Club President, the DGSR Ashok Anand, AG Eric Mwashighadi, and all those involved in making it happen.
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done differently this year. Instead of visiting each club individually, We have also experienced a ramped-up growth in numbers in the
I will be making each visit to a cluster of clubs centered around an
past month with clubs around the District actively inducting new
Assistant Governor or maybe two together. These will be fellowship
members. My earnest desire is to grow our numbers in the District by
visits and the more the merrier. I will also visit a project or two that
50% by the end of this Rotary year. I also hope we can increase all
each group of clubs will select based on the value that my visit to the
clubs to a minimum of 25 members in the next few months.
project (s) will add.
The District Governor’s PHF challenge is coming up well. We have over 30 Rotarians who have fully paid for the challenge and many others who are actively paying up in installments. The challenge is open to the first-time contributors, those seeking to be multiple Paul Harris Fellows and Rotaractors. The challenge is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and up to a maximum of 100 Rotarians. I will award a Paul Harris Fellow to the club president with the highest number of PHF challenge uptakes. If such a club has more than twelve PHFs during the year, I will award the president with an additional PHF. Should the second-ranking club exceed nine PHFs, the president shall receive a PHF award.
I visited the Coast and spent the first day with the Rotary Clubs of Voi and Taveta who arranged that we all meet at Mwatate to celebrate
I encourage clubs to take up the challenge as it ends on 30th
the RC Mwatate charter ceremony as the key event. The event was
November 2020 for Rotarians and 31st January for Rotaractors.
followed by a joint meeting the next day in Watamu. The Rotary Clubs of Malindi and Kilifi came together to work with the host club
Zoom! Zoom!
Watamu to invigorate its membership drive.
In working with the new norm of digital meetings, I have now lost
The third day was a whirlwind of three engagements starting with a
count on the number of hours I have spent on Rotary digital (or
breakfast meeting with the Rotary Clubs of Mombasa North Coast
Zoom) meetings. I am well on the way to concluding the individual
and Mtwapa immediately followed by a fitness fellowship to work
club “visits’ to meet the boards and discuss their progress on their
off the breakfast. I then had a wonderful lunch with the Rotary
annual plans and also attend the club assemblies. Despite being
Clubs of Bahari, Bamburi, Kilindini, and Nyali where we discussed
digital, the meetings have been intimate as we listen and help clubs
the structure of the District and what opportunities this offered for
on a personalized basis.
the clubs. The day ended with the ‘Super Duper” induction of 25 members into the Rotary Club of Mombasa – the second oldest club
In a big departure from the norm, this virtual meeting opportunity has
in Kenya and the third oldest in Africa.
made it possible for me to have various District Exco members attend and who can answer or challenge club boards on specific areas in
This was the jewel of a phenomenal induction of 54 new members
their specialization.
during the Coast visit.
It has also been great having the District Governor-Elect Alex Nyaga
Many thanks to all the clubs I visited last month for your efforts in
and District Governor Nominee Azeb Asrat (who with me are jointly
preparing for the visits. I was invigorated by the positive energy from
known as the Troika) attend as it ensures seamless leadership in the
clubs and their leaderships, and as a District Governor, I cannot ask
District.
for more!
I started my physical visits in the last month. These are also being
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“Rotaract’s core goal is to develop leaders.” -Rtr. Kennedy Gayah District Rotaract Representative (DRR) Rotary International District 9212 (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan)
Message from the DRR
Going back to basics in year of OPPORTUNITIES Not so long after I was elected to serve as the District Rotaract Representative did I get to reevaluate the reason why I chose to present my name for candidature. An opportunity that helped me further understand what we could achieve in the Rotary new year. Five months into the planning year, I joined a group of amazing Rotaractors in an exciting anniversary ceremony. To get there, I had to travel over a hundred and fifty kilometers, this was after a long and exhausting morning in the office. I was looking forward to having a fun session. Oh my! I was not disappointed. An evening event turned into an all-nighter. The well-planned program, great audience, and an innovative entertainment team. I could go on and on about it but that would mean we have to write a separate article. This night would become memorable to me because of a mind-opening conversation that I had with Rotaractor who would later become the club’s President-Elect. While she was excited about leadership in the club, she was afraid that the enthusiasm around volunteering was quietly but quickly dwindling. Her concern was drawn from the apparent lack of a clear direction and vision for her club and, where there was, it was clouded by a sense of misplaced priorities. This rapidly began a common school of thought amongst different incoming club leaders as I expanded my research pool.
Those who came before us have done an extraordinary job getting us here. Their commitment and vision have seen our district grow in numbers and the magnitude of our impact in ourcommunities. They have placed us at an opportune position to believe that we can D9212 MAGAZINE
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achieve more. However, sometimes to take a step forward, it is important to indulge in a little introspection. This is what our Rotaract district theme Back to Basics is about.
have developed a road map through our strategic plan to help us improve our club structures,retain and attract members and increase our impact. As we dive into the Year of Opportunities, I urge you to support your club to understand the value they create for their members and their community. This will help us grow our overall impact and bring onboard partners to help us make the world a better place. We must continue to be invigorated by the foundation of our diversity, the spirit of a unified vision, the desire to make our efforts count for something, and our faith in a better tomorrow. Be excited. Be unlimited. We are going Back to Basics in Year of Opportunities.
Rotaract’s core goal is to develop leaders.
To
provide
an
enabling
environment that allows young people to be able to put test their ideas, share insights, and make an impactful contribution in their communities. The new Rotary year promises to be one that will open unlimited opportunities. Great steps have been made to grow Rotaract. Most of these changes are now ready for implementation. This calls for us to rethink what we can do as Rotaractors and as Rotaract clubs. In the words of Helen Keller “Alone we can do so little: Together we can do so much” We must reflect on the souls of our clubs to ensure we first understand where we are coming from. To relive our achievements and take note of our shortfalls. It is imperative that we reexamine the basic elements of our foundation and develop a vision of where we want to go. We need to have well-trained members who have a great understanding of Rotaract and of our clubs to help our guests and partners understand our passion. As a district leadership, we 10
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HOW I JOINED ROTARACT journey can be a bit distracting to one’s social life but this is a story for another day. You know the feeling when you are back home from some trip abroad that took you a couple of years, I know I was within the country and stuff, but at least you get the picture. I felt like I would have gotten back to my social space, you know the same one I left, but this time with more experience and a few chums we would spend with the clique. It’s not like I have anything against Education and moving towns, but truth be told it has a major impact on one’s social life and behavior, both positive and negative.
“Born and raised in Malindi, who would have thought that there would come a time I would be lonely and need the company of friends, I mean, I am in my home town, the place I grew up and had friends from primary to high school and university, not to mention the vastly
So here I am back in my old town, having gotten an internship with a government institution and it was going well. I meet the office team on a Monday morning, cool boss and awesome colleagues. The week kicked off; being a new staff, everyone is friendly and ready to hold your hand and show you how things are done. After a day or two, everyone is back to their desk and you are left at your station sipping office tea as you pretend to be busy doing something but
neighborhood I once lived in.” -Rtr. Sirya Kiponda Rotaract Club of Malindi
actually, you’re on all the accessible social media platforms chatting your day away and you can’t wait for the clock to hit 5:00 pm. I am not saying that the office was not busy, just that I was directly reporting to the head of the office who by then was away on official duty. So, it is during such times that I realized that the Malindi I had left was not the one I came back to. Most, if not all of my so-called
Kisumu Ndogo is a small country of its own where everyone knows
friends had also followed suit, either moved to other towns to pursue
everyone, I mean “…everything nobadiii” (if you know you know).
jobs or education, and the few who remained had somehow moved
Fast forward to 2018, very many years later I was back in Malindi,
on to something else - from acrobatic, beach boy, bike riders (Boda
fresh from “campusish” you know how we say it when we want
boda), shoe sewing and the very obvious one parenthood.
to mean proximity to something. Long story short, the education Life had somehow sorted us out and no matter how hard we tried 12
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to get together we never succeeded and the few times we did. It
being I was still away in Nairobi studying. I later came to know the function was an INSTALLATION DINNER which marked the transition of one regime of leaders to another, and it is during this event that the incoming president and his board of directors take the oath of office. Back to the story before I get to boast about knowing Rotary/ Rotaract now. So I joined the meeting that evening. The guys were welcoming, I mean apart from my brother and some few familiar faces the rest were strangers but what I liked most about them is that this group of individuals was diverse, with folks from all walks of life. I admired the fact these young professionals had found a way to come together to give back to the community through service was not the same, there was something missing. The connection, the
to others, and not only serve but have fun while at it. At that very
bonding that came with the authentic and ease of conversing was
moment, I realized I had found my space, the clique I was looking
lacking. I could feel that people were retreating from certain issues
for had been here all along, and it was upon me to commit to it.
for fear of being judged.
That is how my journey in Rotaract started. Through service I found friendship. Rotaract has opened up that avenue for me and I am
It was true that our lives were different and our social space was not
grateful and forever gratified to serve, because through the service
the same. I am not saying this in a discriminative way but people do change. It matters not where the change comes from or how it is ignited. Be it education, social, political or economic. Change propels us to different spaces in life. Nonetheless, humans are social beings and desire to make social connections every now and then. For some reason I was lacking that connection. I spent most of my free time and weekends indoors watching series, movies, and in rare occasions I would accompany my siblings to meet up with some of their friends. Up until one Thursday evening when my brother invited me for a Rotaract meeting. I was a bit skeptical at first but then again, I didn’t have plans that evening and blowing out a few hours was not that
in Rotaract I get the satisfaction and inner peace I always long for.
bad. Besides, I figured it would save me the usual 50 bob I would
I know for sure that this is the most fulfilling pathway on my journey
have spent on a movie for the night.
of self-actualization.
Furthermore, my elder brother had been singing the Rotary/Rotaract
Truth be told never have I in my short history as a Rotaractor lacked
song to me for like a year and some months now. I had promised to
to make a new friend in all places we have served as Rotaractors,
attend one of their meetings whenever I was in town and here I was.
most of my connection ever since have been built on connections I
I really didn’t have an idea of what Rotary/Rotaract was all about
made in Rotaract. Everywhere I go, everywhere I will be I know I
apart from the “THE CLUB” was made up of rich guys, who wore
have a friend in service and that’s Rotaract. I am now a citizen of the
pins and tags and helped out the community in some areas and my
world through Rotaract and through Service above Self.
brother was one of them. Sometimes that year he had informed me he was elected the president of his club and he had invited me to
Rotaract is now my “family” and forever it shall be. Viva Rotaract
some function which I was to pay for a ticket as the event was a
Club of Malindi.
fundraiser of some sort. Life as a Rotaractor coming soon… Your guess is as good as mine, I did not make the function, reason D9212 MAGAZINE
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“Kindness is a wonderful way to let another struggling soul know that there is still
KINDNESS, A GEM
love in this world.” -Rtr. Elizabeth Kamau Rotaract Club of Jomo Kenyatta University fo Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
I know you are probably wondering why I would state that kindness, a simple act, to some of course, is a gem. Give me a few minutes of your time to explain this in layman’s language. The more I got to have an experience of the world, I began adopting values for myself as an individual being, I mean, who wouldn’t want to be a better version of themselves? Upon encountering many challenges, I adopted one and kept it close to heart, kindness. Many are the times that we are reminded to show love and kindness to others but do you think this is possible without doing the same to YOURSELF? Yes, I had to highlight the word for emphasis. When growing up we are constantly reminded to show love, appreciation and kindness to other people. I don’t have any objection to this culture, but how many times are we taught to do the same to ourselves? Inculcating such a mantra in the society will take us a long way because it grows deep in us allowing us to show acts of love to others with no struggle, give aid to those in need without any problem as we feel they are part of us, our family regardless of where they are from. A journey begins with a single step and if we take it upon ourselves to be kind and loving to ourselves, we automatically do it for others. Adopting this has taken me far in Rotaract activities as well as my personal life. Kindness is a wonderful way to let another struggling soul know that there is still love in this world.
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BROKEN FAMILIES
Mothers Living in Deep Poverty “What seems to be small things
in the eyes of many is sometimes the greatest achievement in the eyes of some. Berqié’s joy when her son entered the first grade was more than one could ever expect.
”
-Rtr. Bruk Aseged Asefa Rotaract Club of Abocher
warmest of smiles and hugs – and there he was, Nathnael wearing his graduation hat looking joyful but also a bit baffled with all the new faces. After we sat down and started chatting, Berqié served us with the feast she prepared with what little money she had – it was the happiest day of her life. What seems to be small things in the eyes of many is sometimes the greatest achievement in the eyes of some. Berqié’s joy when her son entered the first grade was more than one could ever expect. Berqié Berqié, a single mother struggling with complicated health issues, was one of two mothers being supported by Rotaract Club of Abocher in monthly grocery donations and healthcare under our programme, ‘Ene Le Emaye’ for more than a year, until she passed away on April 1st 2020. RAC Abocher continues to support Nathnael and his guardians in monthly grocery donations. We will support Nathnael in all his future endeavors and all aspects of life.
‘Ene Le Emaye’ ‘Ene Le Emaye’, Amharic for “I for Mom” is a programme-turnedproject of RAC Abocher started in 2017 with the initiation of PP Leykun, IPP Nathan, and other senior members of RAC Abocher to help single mothers living in absolute poverty. RAC Abocher’s grocery donation programme helped two mothers in supporting them with necessary food and sanitary products to get through each month. However, this wasn’t seen as the way to create sustainable change in the lives of many single mothers living in absolute poverty. On a rainy Sunday afternoon, in the summer of 2019 (technically winter here), our club, Rotaract Club of Abocher, had a ‘graduation’ party to attend. The venue of the party – benches in front of a small shack in one of the older and poorer neighborhoods in Addis Ababa. Nathnael, the 7-year-old son of the single mother Berqié, was graduating from Kindergarten and into the First Grade. The narrow cobble and rock streets were singing of joy with music and the happiness of a mother who sees a glimmer of hope for a son she raised in poverty and illness. Berqié greeted us with the
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The Way Forward – Ene Le Emaye as our Signature Project Addis Ababa, the Capital City of Ethiopia, is one of the ever growing cities in Africa. However, the gap in living standards is becoming more evident. Ethiopia has one of the highest inflation rates with 21% being recorded in June 2020. Moreover, there is no minimum wage in the Ethiopian private sector and for low wage single mothers, that is a nightmare they have to live through.
‘Ene le Emaye’ – sustainable professional development for single mothers Rotaract Club of Abocher, in the Rotary Year of 2020/21, is implementing ‘Ene Le Emaye’ as a professional development project for single mothers living in dire conditions. Participants of the ‘Ene Le Emaye’ project will receive trainings and seminars before the club arranges a job opportunity for them. From craftsmanship to service sector opportunities, RAC Abocher will work with its mother club Rotary Club of Addis Ababa Sheger and other stakeholders to ensure single mothers do not live in absolute poverty.
Rotaract Club of Abocher believes that ensuring sustainable income of women is ensuring sustainable income for families. ‘Ene Le Emaye’ is our contribution to this noble agenda. brukaseged43@gmail.com – please contact us to learn more about our club and our project
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WALKING CHALLENGE: 163.5 miles a week “You don’t have to explain everything. Just do what you have to do! Your destination will explain much. You just have to make sure you are doing things for a good reason. ” -Rtr. Ermias Fentaw Marye (Jermi_fente) Rotaract Club of Atrons 18
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Ermias Fentaw Marye [Jermi_fente], current president of Rotaract club of Atrons is an architect and a cofounder of a creative studio called And-hulet (andhulet.com), walked 359,209 steps in 7 days. It is a bit odd,” Why would someone do this?” one might ask. At the moment Ermias was serving his club as acting president and as it was the Rotary International convection week of 2020; Rotary international had organized a walking challenge. In this challenge participants could track their steps using tracker by downloading the app and compete to get a winner spot at the leaderboard. This young and passionate rotaractor saw this challenge as an opportunity to promote his club and the district 9212 on an international level. Ermias heard about the challenge through the Telegram Rotaractors mingling group and had received an email for my rotary.org. He walked 13,000 steps in the first day of the challenge and thought he was at the top of the leader board. But in the contrary, his rank was overturned in the hours that followed. This made his competitive instinct soar up high and he made extra effort in the next challenges.
Although his muscle was protesting and his whole-body aching, this did not hinder him from waking up each morning and taking up the challenge with renewed spirit. One of his walking paths was from Jemo- Sarbet-Mexico- Filwiha- Kasanchis-4kilo-Piazza-Biherawi-Mexico and back to Jemo, about 30.5 miles. He was able to appreciate the nature along his journey and also took pictures of the riverside projects of Addis Ababa, as photography is one of his passions. Both fellow Ethiopian Rotaractors and close friends were a mighty help in making him stay motivated. He described himself as someone blessed in having great support system. One particular experience that he remembers fondly is on the last day of the challenge. He could no longer walk his usual path which had hills and downslopes … and chose a neighborhood bicycle trail which is a level surface. He had to walk back and forth the same route that day and people started to look at him like he was crazy. This did not deter him to achieve his goal and he did not even once stop to explain himself to anyone. He was walking against time! In the end he was placed in the top 25 ranking 18th place out of 4263 participants, walking about 163.5 miles in a week. This was a great achievement and also made him think “should I change my social media usernames to Jermi_walker?” Ermias said “ You don’t have to explain everything. Just do what you have to do! Your destination will explain much. You just have to make sure you are doing things for a good reason.” We can learn a lot from this passionate Rotaractor. Through hard work and resilience, we can achieve anything we’ve set our mind to do. Rtr. Ermias has made an enormous contribution in reviving his club which was on the verge of disintegrating by serving as an acting president. We look forward to seeing his accomplishments in the near future.
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STORY OF MY LIFE DISCOVERYING MY PASSION
ordinary furniture with the space saving traits of small furniture? That is space saving furniture that would not just save space but also have
“We often have to start small and my challenge was making furniture that would fit into those small bedsitters where, God forbid, if you had to fart considering their tiny windows. ”
multiple functionality. So I bought my first tool, a jigsaw and later a drill (ndio nitoboe hii maisha) and made a table that transforms into a shelf from know-how I gained from the internet. Immediately I was done I knew that Nobody can stop Reggae! Since then it has become a passion and though I’m just getting started I’ve been able to pick up a few things: 1. Find what makes you happy and do it, it does wonders for the mind, body and soul. 2. We live in a world where information is literally at our fingertips… make good use of it. 3. Work hard and work smart. 4. It’s okay to ask for help, no man is an island (see! no one can stop reggae). 5. Believe in yourself.
-Rtr. Paul Karuri (Picasso) Rotaract Club of Nairobi Parklands I never thought I’d be sharing more than memes let alone inspiration but here goes. It was about time I moved out. I’d spent what felt like a lifetime in traffic moving from work(Lavington) to Rongai where I live (I swear I could feel my hair growing in traffic) and having to wake up at witching hours just to get to work on time was a pain in the caboose. I’d also get back home late, tired and hungry (as usual). Moving out isn’t always easy though and you can’t just up and leave, you need a few things like a mattress to protect yourself from the unforgiving floor of a Kikuyu landlord’s bedsitter. Put in a bed and you’re good to go, in fact put in a few seats and you’re living like a king and that’s when it hit me. I would make my own furniture! I mean I’ve always been good with my hands (wink wink) and this would allow me to customize to my taste. We often have to start small and my challenge was making furniture that would fit into those small bedsitters where God forbid if you had to fart considering their tiny windows. But what if I could combine the classy look and functionality of D9212 MAGAZINE
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MUTUMIA, A WOMAN -Rtr. John Mugo Rotaract Club of Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT)
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Mutumia, A woman... In the past considered as, “One whose lips are sealed”, As the norm, then used to be, “Silence is a woman”, Whose effect is still reminiscent, A pungent smell that hovers in the air, And even with the strides in civilization, Her symbol still remains passed by time, The vile brutality she undergoes, in this new world, Still amazes me to date,
Mutumia... A woman is symbolic, Perhaps the purest of souls to venture earth, ‘Cause of all earthly beings, She was meant a gift, A visitor to ensue companionship, Yet she undergoes repression, Yet she does so in silence, Whilst her idea encompasses life, Without her the world lacks purpose, To conceptualize the idea behind her being, Would be of great approach,
Mutumia... Very sensitive in nature, Fools label them to be weak, But don’t be deceived by looks, I’ve seen hordes of men, Numb brutes and savage beast, Calm at her presence, Rogue men unearth from their veils, And with her,they indulge vulnerability, They oblige in the peace she is, ‘Cause her scent has something, Something their vile nature comprehends not, But delights to be within, And with the chaos within their soul, They find solace in her being,
Mutumia, She carries the seed of life, Yet I’ve seen her ideas silenced, She takes one for humanity, Hoping that sanity will prevail, What a bitter lump to swallow, The more we are ignorant to her idea, The more the world suffers, Cause in her composure lies the reason, To traverse each season, She’s pretty symbolic, One to be respected, A woman...
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A LETTER TO MY BEST FRIEND... -Rtr. John Mugo Rotaract Club of Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT)
Some of y’all can’t help but want to feel strong, Projecting stable personality to facade the depressed beings hidden inside, Undergoing unending fights to recover from past trauma, We put up vague smiles while succumbing inside, Pressed by the sheer magnitude of projected culture, One that taught us to be strong, but not express, So much so we always want to be in control, We’d rather die than confess being victims of personal tragedy, Whilst we undergo mental breakdowns, panic attacks, We subject our being to trivial anxiety, just cause being real is such a big deal, We risk our performance, mental well being to look ok,
Can’t help but wonder why I wasn’t enough, I know they weren’t made for me, still kills of what they did, I’m ready to face this milestone with you though, Assertive enough to know that you’ll help, Life has been a somewhat catastrophic love story, And purpose a battle over two longings, My heart and mind are constantly torn apart, Anxiety runs my veins, will I ever make it? Will I ever assert my being, I’m indebted to amount to something, harbouring a grandeur gesture of whom I should be, I’m yet to understand me,but somehow still manifesting me, thinking out loud, Hopefully you’ll help me, Vulnerability has never felt so good.
To seem likeable, I’ll no longer remain strong, I know I am, but for once I’ll be weak, For once I’ll dine with my insecurities, And since you’ve become my favourite journal, so shall I write on you, Sometimes it does kill me, knowing that someone once left me,
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I remember using up some of my savings to buy an elegant dress and heels (though I would need lessons on how to walk in those things) and being very happy because let’s be honest, how many times do you get invited to a dinner? So, plans were made, my dress was packed up carefully at the bottom of my suitcase because where I come from, thieves are real. Having to miss the dinner is one of the things this COVID-19 has taken from me. Having no meeting to look forward to every Thursday at 5.30pm is another. Now we have online meetings which work, of course. But they can never replace the real thing.
Dear Coronavirus, “Even though you decided to grace us with your unwelcome presence, the Rotaract spirit is still strong. ” -Rtr. Mergery Nyakio Rotaract Club of Embu This is not to say that it hasn’t been tough. In our WhatsApp group, I have been seeing posters from other clubs inviting people for installation dinners. I understand, I totally do, the world is in shambles and all that. But I don’t have to like it. It’s not
The Rotaract Club of Embu is the liveliest, ever. When you go to the meeting feeling sad and depressed, you forget why you were sad in the first place by the time you leave. You laugh and share smiles and uplift each other and it is the best feeling. And as much as I’ve complained about how Corona has messed with us, the Rotaract spirit of helping those who need help is still there. Even when I’m cocooned up at home watching endless movies about survival in a post apocalyptic world, I am reminded everyday that I am a part of something special. In April, we donated foodstuffs to Mbeere Hospice. The contribution made by each member was a great deal. Later, street kids in Embu got free masks and foodstuffs from the club members, a project spearheaded by our dedicated president-elect (as I’m writing this), Mercy Njeru. In the beginning of May, some volunteers from the club were sensitized about COVID-19, and have been doing a great job of creating awareness ever since. These activities prove that, no matter where we are, or how bad the world gets, Rotaractors never steer away from their mission of making the world a better place. So, dear Corona, you have not won.
enough that you’ve prevented us from holding physical meetings, now we’re going to miss our dinners too?
To my fellow Rotaractors, stay safe in these trying times, and remember to make someone smile.
Anyway, back in March, (has it really been three months already?), we were making plans about our dinner, suggesting themes, and it was just something wonderful to look forward to. 24 THE ROTARACTOR
From Mergery, a proud Rotaractor.
COVID-19 Interventions Rotary D9212 Rotary Clubs in the district together with the Rotary D9212 COVID-19 Response Committee have partnered with various institutions to provide care packages to households affected by the pandemic and to install handwashing points around the countries (Kenya and Ethiopia).
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COVID-19 Interventions Rotaract D9212 Rotaract Clubs in the district have been providing aid to families and households affected by the current situation. This includes Rotaract Clubs in Kenya and Ethiopia. Rotaract in Kenya initiated a COVID-19 Response Initiative to provide care packages to affected Rotaractors. Rotaract in Ethiopia joined forces with Rotary Ethiopia to provide care packages and handwashing stations. Photos from Rotaract Clubs of Limuru and Muthaiga, Kenya. RAC Limuru together with RC Limuru and RC Columbus Mississippi donated food packages to 200 families, both elderly and needy. RAC Muthaiga launched a project dubbed ‘Tripple M Project’ that seeks to provide masks, bread and milk to street families where they have benefited 100 individuals during the phase one of the project.
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COVID-19 Interventions Rotaract D9212 Rotaract Clubs in the district have been providing aid to families and households affected by the current situation. This includes Rotaract Clubs in Kenya and Ethiopia. Rotaract in Kenya initiated a COVID-19 Response Initiative to provide care packages to affected Rotaractors. Rotaract in Ethiopia joined forces with Rotary Ethiopia to provide care packages and handwashing stations. Photos from Rotaract Clubs of Keroggie and Mella, Ethiopia. RAC Keroggie donated Food to the elders at Tesfa Social and Development Association. Instead of the usual holiday lunch, Keroggie members donated materials that can be useful during this difficult time. RAC Mella, in partnership with the Kolfe Keranyo Subcity Woreda 5 Administration Office, donated food materials and sanitary products to families around Zone 2 Zenebework Area.
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PRISON IS PRISON WITH OR WITHOUT BARS Brenda Akinyi
People die physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. They are beyond the breaking point. Someone once said that you are powerless if you believe you are. At some point we are all in a prison, created by our own selves- our own making.
Fishing for compliments? It’s a prison. If you are the type of person who will set himself on fire just to keep others warm, it’s a prison. Sometimes a man’s hope is a dangerous thing. Have you ever chases something you hoped you’d find?
Got married to pretty eyes and a cruel tongue? Prison. I may look calm and stoic but deep down I know I’m gonna crush and burn. You are a devout Christian but the devil causes you to question. I guess everything beautiful is ruined eventually, and that the world only responds to the closed fists, not the open hand.
Again, if your mask crumbles, everything else does. Isn’t that a prison too? I’ve come to learn that you can hurt yourself when helping others, and in the process, hurt them too. So, what happens when we design our own prisons? Sealing our own fate? Can we come out of this with clean hands?
Sometimes the very prison you created by yourself, will not let you come out in your own terms. And the things we do to get out, do not sit well in our conscience. In the end, if you are lucky enough to join the Second Chance Club, you realize that not all prisons are made of metal bars. 28
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Mt. Kenya Hike Rotaract D9212 TRF Fundraiser Rotaractors in the district and across the region hiked Mt. Kenya to raise funds for The Rotary Foundation (TRF) in the past Rotary year.
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WE’RE ON THE GO Being a Rotaractor means serving humanity. When we join Rotaract, we need to become motivated, and promise ourselves to be great leaders. A great leader in this world is one who makes other leaders, not one who only leads them but makes them their better selves. Leaders are ones that see potential in everyone so as to drive them to do their job in the best way by showing others in action. In the past two years, we were struggling so much to lead the club. Most of the club members, including the president and most board members, were in their college senior year and got caught up in their graduation project and researches and because of this, the club began to struggle. To counter this, we began gathering some active members, heading meetings every week on Sunday we even started a session dubbed “ATRONS TIME” where we all gather 30 minutes before the meeting starts to make the members more punctual, drink coffee and talk about how we spent the weekend, what is new around us and so on. This made us very engaged with each other. Then we started planning new projects to serve the community, even some board Members became available and energized us at this time.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic and home quarantine time, our club has made efforts and worked on so many projects by using zoom and social media
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Our first major service project was AHL [Addis Holiday Launch] where Rotaract clubs fed and clothed the homeless on Ethiopian holidays and our club took the task for the Ethiopian New Year on September 12th 2019 (01/01/2012 E.C). As a result, the project was very successful and we fed about 2500 people which was a great achievement. The past president and other senior members played a vital role.
Besides that, we also
donated clothes to the homeless during the AHL. To collect the clothes, we prepared a fellowship called “SO YOU THINK YOU CAN ACT” where we invited other Rotaract Clubs and the entrance charges was clothes for donation. The fellowship was very fun and we collected very many clothes.
campaigns. ”
The second achievement was our signature project dubbed
Rotaract Club of Atrons
and child support organization where the Rotaract Club of
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“MEDICAL CAMPAIGN”. This project is done in an orphanage
Atrons gives personal hygiene supplies and medical screening for this organization by inviting volunteer doctors. In 2019, we screened and donated to 180 children. We are planning to make the next one an even bigger medical campaign. In the beginning of March 2019, we elected new board members, and was comprised mainly by newly inducted members but was a very active board of directors that assumed their positions beforehand, willing to serve as the acting board of directors. Because we are engaged with each other, every one of us is very energized to make an impact to our community, to our country and to the world. During the COVID-19 pandemic and home quarantine time, our club has made efforts and worked on so many projects by using zoom and social media campaigns. These are as follows: 1. International blood donation and awareness on sexual assault and rape video organized by World of Rotaract (on which many international clubs participated). 2. GRC (Green Rotaract Concept) social media project to celebrate International Environmental Day with the title of “what we like about our environment and how we can make it better”. 3. Social media project for Rotaract Week about what Rotaract mean to us. 4. Virtual meeting on how to manage stress and depression during covid-19 with Psychiatrist Dr.Azeb Asaminew and Effective home quarantine during covid-19 with the then Rotaract Ethiopia Country Secretary and current RYLA Chair and Secretary of RC of AAW Beantamlack Feleke. 5. Every Friday we have virtual coffee time to strengthen our bond. 6. The other one and the funniest of all is a fundraising by, then acting president, now current president of the club, Ermias Fentaw. He fundraised by shaving his hair for creating a website to our club. All the club team asked Ermias, “why did you cut your hair?” “I love my hair, but I wanted to use it as a fundraising for my club. It was fun and achievable.” said Ermias. This was our journey during the past year and during the home quarantine. We have so much more to do this time. There is nothing to stop us.
YES, WE ARE ON THE GO
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ROTARACT DISTRICT 9212 LEADERS 2020/2021
Kennedy Gayah District Rotaract Representative (DRR) 32 THE ROTARACTOR
Christine Mukiri District Secretary
Hilda Ndonyi District Treasurer
Samuel Karanja District Trainer and IPDRR
Victoria Wangari Director, District Membership (Institution-based)
Peter Karweru Director, District Membership (Community-based)
Ruth Kihoro Director, District Interact
Gathua Muhia Director, District Service Projects
Yvonne Ng’ong’a Director, The Rotary Foundation (TRF) in charge of Fundraising
Wanja Kirongothi Director, The Rotary Foundation (TRF) in charge of Awareness
George Otieno Director, District Strategy and Planning DRR-Elect
Linda Ndanu Director, District International Service
Wamugunda Mwangi Director, District Brand Awareness and Public Image
Catherine Njeri Assistant Director, District Brand Awareness and Public Image
Jeff Kiraguri Director, District Corporate Relations
Fiona Masila Assistant Director, District Corporate Relations
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Betty Amutabi Director, District Green Rotaract Concept (GRC)
Felistus Kamau Chairperson, District Conference and Assembly (DCA)
Ayiera Mochiemo Assistant Chairperson, District Conference and Assembly (DCA)
Edgar Muchai Chairperson, World Rotaract Week 2021
Charles Rukwaro Country Chair, Kenya
Lydia Lukera Assistant Country Chair, Kenya
Netsanet Asmelash Country Chair, Ethiopia
Mary Nekesa Country Secretary, Kenya
Meron Sileshi Country Secretary, Ethiopia
Anne Mueni Country Treasurer, Kenya
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Natan Zewdu Jodahi Bezabih Petros Country Treasurer, Ethiopia Membership, Extension and Retention Director, Ethiopia
Natnael Aklog Professional Service Director, Ethiopia
Israel Tewodrose International Service Director, Ethiopia
June Wangeci Nardos Sileshi Chairperson, Rotary Youth Chairperson, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), Leadership Awards (RYLA), Kenya Ethiopia
Ignatius Odhiambo Director, Rotaract Earth Initiative (REI)
Rikkie Tumaini Director for Brand Awareness and Public Image, Kenya
Bethelem Shiferaw Onto DCA, Ethiopia
Fanuel Getcahew Projects Director, Ethiopia
Sandra Wanjofu Green Rotaract Concept (GRC) Director, Kenya
Bethelhem Abebe Green Rotaract Concept (GRC) Director, Ethiopia
Lily Bisrat Director for Brand Awareness and Public Image, Ethiopia
Emaelaph Theodros Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) North Region, Ethiopia D9212 MAGAZINE
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Hemen Fikre Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) South Region, Ethiopia
Peter Mwarangu Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) Coast Region, Kenya
Fauzia Anyande Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) Coast Region, Kenya
Bitiali Mshimba Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) Coast Region, Kenya
Nancy Mwangi Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) Mt. Kenya Region, Kenya
Lawrence Njuguna Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) Mt. Kenya Region, Kenya
Amina Mohammed Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) Western Region, Kenya
Gabriel T. Dak Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) Western Region, Kenya
Elizabeth Ochieng Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) Western Region, Kenya
Raziah Makokha Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) Western Region, Kenya
Andrew Kiptoo Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) Nairobi Region, Kenya
Fredrick Ochari Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) Nairobi Region, Kenya
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Elvis Karaya Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) Nairobi Region, Kenya
Victoria Gaya Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) Nairobi Region, Kenya
Abigail Kamau Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) Nairobi Region, Kenya
Steve Omwenga Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) Nairobi Region, Kenya
Nancy Ikoli Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) Nairobi Region, Kenya
Isaac Njihia Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) Nairobi Region, Kenya
Insight King’ori Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) Nairobi Region, Kenya
Baraka Bwire Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) Nakuru Region, Kenya
Kuria Ngunjiri Assistant Rotaract District Representative (ADRR) Nakuru Region, Kenya
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Have mercy on us Rtr. Laura Lungu Rotaract Club of Watamu Have mercy on us All my bones are out of joint; my heart is like melted wax, my throat is as dry as dust, and my tongue sticks on the roof of my mouth. Have mercy on me! To you, I am a child who needs you and just one woman’s compassionate heart is what will save me. A first-born among three ,
Beggars can’t be choosers. ‘’Cry for things you can’t change’’ I don’t use that! And if this is an A B conversation, then I’ll C my way in church. Houses; a home to all little boys and girls who never have one . We rob you at the same time beg, but what do we do? We are afraid to kill us.
THIS IS THE RULE WE ARE FIGHTING! It is right for us even though it feels wrong. Have mercy on us!
since the first born has to grown up faster than usual. I was never clocked that way. I never knew time was not my friend but company for me. Have mercy on me! I haven’t had something warm in a meal, who knows I’m whistling past the graveyard. For me tomorrow is going to be just like today because today is just like yesterday. Sometimes it’s just so sad to find ‘those’ moments. Have mercy on me! Love,care,kindness,food and time is all I need from you. You thought I would take more for you to hate me, quick question, ‘’Why were you rude to me the first time I begged you then nicer the second time I begged and now you are here listening to me. Which time was it you were pretending? My life is a vacation it just never lasts long enough. Have mercy on me! You say that am not trapped in this life, I choose it. D9212 MAGAZINE
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Rotary National Day Ethiopia
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Rotary National Day Ethiopia
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MY TRIPLE ROTARY THREAD
this addiction to tea, as my grandma would say it “shay is very important”, but I don’t think so. On that side of the border we like
“Rotary has given me a family to belong to and that’s the best gift I could ever have gotten having trouble with which citizenship to pick and stick with. ”
fuul and Okra with everything. All that amazes me is the richness in both cultures though they’re almost similar. Now my Kenyan one was legitimately acquired because I am Kenyan! (LoL) I mean, I’ve been here for like 16 years. Enough time to take up permanent space no? Yes? Okay. My stay here has been amazing, and I don’t think we’re resettling anytime soon, I just love how Kenyans are super social with the habari since 2004 that my
-Rtr. Bella Owar Rotaract Club of Moi University Annex
Citizenship in the Rotary world:
parents hardly get to understand sometimes. You won’t believe this, but I didn’t know what connection these three countries had with Rotary until 2019, and I was very excited
Won’t it sound funny if I told you that I’m stuck with two passports because even with the confused status of my nationality I could serve and legal identification documents that actually link me to the three as president of a Rotaract club here! Wow! My first engagement countries in our district?
with Rotaract was a fellowship we were invited to by my mother club
and manh aren’t Rotarians punctual? I’d never felt so late in my life
I mean whoooa! (I have a gif for that expression) Have you ever heard before. of a black Ethiopian? Well, I’m one of them, the almost nonexistent
breed of humanity and fortunately my tribe from Gambella, resides Rotary has given me a family to belong to and that’s the best gift I at the border of Ethiopia and South Sudan and we are more like could ever have gotten having trouble with which citizenship to pick the Maasai people. You can always say you come from Ethiopia or and stick with. South Sudan. You know? Like how you say you come from Kenya and Uganda because you come from the middle. And I don’t mean no man’s land. So, two countries down, right???
During my installation as President, I felt like I was given the power to serve all the three countries at a go. Here I was armed to deal with a couple of Rotaractors who are lawyers and to be honest it
The Gambella people (anywaa) are one of the indigenous people of has not been easy. Regardless, my board of directors always had the world and we even celebrate the indigenous people day. Talk of my back. Our club is like any other club but with one different thing.
holidays, I need one. That side of me is just an amazing journey that Stubborn lawyers you can never win from, you can imagine the ups I’ve come to realize and embrace because it’s a special road in my and downs. What surprised me is that they always showed up in life, from the Injera and the rich coffee that my mom takes 5 times a large numbers during projects or parties. Though I remember there day, and when she doesn’t, she gets migraines. I know, right? Hahaha was this one Street Kids Project we did in August 2019 where I was
I’ve never really understood why too. The South Sudanese also have forced to try communicating with the children in Swahili so they could understand, and I literally mumbled my way through the whole thing! We had to get a translator to save our souls because what??? It is so hard to be kidogo foreign sometimes. But I am working on that Swahili hahaha! My best memories are the dinners that I’ve attended in Rotary, that is, the installations and fundraising dinners. Here I met and connected with all sorts of people. Who would have thought that one day I’d step foot in Masaba Village somewhere in Bungoma during the Western region Anti-jigger campaign 2019? That was such a humbling experience. Anyway, all in all, it has enhanced my personal growth and development, social skills and even leadership skills, and the much I can say is “In a world where you can be an Ethiopian, a Kenyan, a 42
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South Sudanese or an Eritrean, be a Rotaractor.”
MY ROTARACT EXPERIENCE
Rtr. Isaac Wanjiku Rotaract Club of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agiculture and Technology (JKUAT)
Rtr. Lamech Lamarch Rotaract Club of Kenyatta University
Life is good but other times it brings rough experiences.
campus student to an outstanding and holistic individual.
We all have different stories, my prayer is God be in your life. Accept the positive outcomes and learn to handle the challenges. Rotaract has given me that opportunity to meet strangers {who became friends), engage in fun and provide service to other people. It’s the best experience, and you should be encouraged to introduce your friends to Rotaract. Haha, being a club President isn’t a walk in the park. Everyone expects you to provide direction and wrong direction leads to negative results.
Joining Rotaract is one of the best decisions I made in my life. Rotaract has transformed me from just being an ordinary Rotaract blends well with my passion for serving humanity and being the change that I would like to see. Rotaract is home, from just meeting strangers who become family.
Since I joined Rotaract, I’ve been active in most of the activities both within my club, partnerships with other Rotaract clubs and even Rotary clubs. The experience has been amazing. I think I can’t find such kind of experience anywhere else if not from Rotaract. I have gained more through service above self, courtesy of Rotaract not forgetting several friends that I’ve met along the way.
You are expected to be innovative with firm decisions when it comes to club matters. You are also expected to balance fun and professional part of the meeting. On the better part, I enjoyed being recognized as Club President and other sweet benefits. Best wishes to my successor!
Through Rotaract and the activities we carry out, many people see me as a role model, something that I’ve never imagined could be possible before. They drive their inspiration from me and I’m very grateful for this and it makes me feel good and it really keeps me going. Indeed, Rotaract is the place to be, It’s home away from home. I’m proud to be a Rotaractor.
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KIGALI PEACE PROJECT Rtr. Teddy Nderitu Rotaract Club of Nairobi Parklands The Rotaract clubs of Nairobi Parklands, Kigali City and Kampala North embarked in a one of a kind annual intra-district Peace project, called I AM FOR PEACE ’20. This project was aimed to provide sensitisation and awareness to the Gashora Transit Centre on peace, through facilitating a dialogue that fosters understanding and provides refugees with the skills to resolve conflicts through appreciating the 8 Rotary Pillars of Peace. Upon arrival on the 22nd February 2020, 100 members and guests from the Rotaract Clubs of Nairobi Parklands, Kigali City and Kampala North were given a brief by members of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The Gashora Transit Centre houses 300 refugees from Libya. There is an estimated 57 females and 243 males. 257 of the 300 refugees are youth. The Centre has an objective of processing the refugees as soon as possible and has an annual target of assisting 500 refugees annually. The refugees are grouped based on families, age group and nationality (because of different cultures). And we also had some fun!
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Crossing Over The new Rotary year Instead of the usual ceremony that happens during the District Conference and Assembly (DCA) to install the District Governor (DG), the District Rotaract Representative (DRR) and their directors, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the handing over happened at an undisclosed location where Rotarians and Rotaractors were able to join in on Zoom.
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Crossing Over The new Rotary year Other than the District office, Rotary and Rotaract Clubs held their installations virtually allowing only a few members to meet up for purposes of the hand over. Photos from Rotaract Club of Abugida (Ethiopia), Rotary and Rotaract Clubs of Karura (Kenya), and Rotaract Club of Nairobi Central (Kenya).
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Rotaract Club of Wodiyamado - Ethiopia Antibullying awareness campaign
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Rotaract Ethiopia What does Rotaract mean to you? Social media awareness campaign
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ARE YOU A CROSSWORD WIZARD? Fill this crossword puzzle and find out.
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MEMES CORNER
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Rotaract (RAC) District 9212 PR Team (Brand Awareness and Public Image)
District Director for Brand Awareness and Public Image
Ethiopia PR Team
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Wamugunda Mwangi – RAC Nairobi Muthaiga North
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Assistant District Director for Brand Awareness and Public Image
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Yared Tesema – RAC Abugida
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Twld Zewdu – RAC Debo
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Betelhem Solomon – RAC Keroggie
Director for Brand Awareness and Public Image – Lily B. Jebery, RAC Abugida
Catherine Njeri – RAC Kitengela
Designers and Magazine Editorial Team •
Terry Njeri – RAC Karura
Kenya PR Team
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Noel Kitonga – RC Ongata Rongai East
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Joseph Kairo – RAC Muthaiga
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Timothy Ndegwa – RAC Westlands
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Rebecca Karanja – RAC Westlands
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Rikkie Tumaini – RAC Muthaiga
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Dorothy Mworia – RAC Parklands
Director for Brand Awareness and Public Image – Rikkie Tumaini, RAC Muthaiga
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Clare Makaa – RAC JKUAT
Social Media Managers
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Faith Atieno – RAC Nairobi East
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Terry Njeri – RAC Karura
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Miano Maina – RAC DeKUT
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Noel Kitonga – RC Ongata Rongai East
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Samson Ndege – RAC TSMHS
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Teddy Ambale – RAC Youthzone Mombasa
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Patrick Mghanga – RAC Youth Zone
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Davies Ombasa – RAC Hurlingham
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Elizabeth Wangari – RAC Karura
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Laura Kemunto – RAC JKUAT
Podcast •
Mwanamkasi Juma – RAC Youthzone
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Wamugunda Mwangi – RAC Nairobi Muthaiga North
DRR Newsletter Brand Guidelines Media Outreach D9212 MAGAZINE
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to all the lives that we have lost, during this COVID-19 Pandemic and especially due to this COVID-19, Rotarians and Rotaractors across the world, we lost great Rotary members, and your contribution to society will never be forgotten. Families of Rotarians and Rotaractors that have succumbed to COVID-19, we express our deepest condolences. We pray to God to give peace and endurance.
With Deepest Sympathy 54
THE ROTARACTOR
Magazine Credits: • • • • •
Design work – Rotaract D9212 Editorial Team Memes – Kefa Odindo, Rikkie Tumaini Concept photo (back cover) – Amani Wanjau Crossword puzzle – Timothy Ndegwa Photos – Rtn. Victor Muto, Rikkie Tumaini, Helium Creations, and the respective Rotary and Rotaract Clubs
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THE ROTARACTOR