The Rotaractor District 9212 May 2020

District 9212

Eritrea Ethiopia Kenya South Sudan

THE

rotaractor MAY 2020

D9212

2019-2020 IS A WRAP!

Eritrea | Ethiopia | Kenya | South Sudan

CONTENTS

Notes

Editor’s RI President District Governor (DG) District Rotaract Representative (DRR)

LET’S CONNECT

@rotaractdistrict9212 Rotaract District 9212

Features

The green run Westlands is 25!

We are the future Quarantine thoughts A year as Country Chair

Regulars

Love story Save a drop Where to begin Started with a set Good corporate boy The presidential ride Old friends, new friends The whiteboard cleanup Walking in a Rotaractor’s shoes Uncertainity is where new happens etc.

Press Rewind

@Rotaract_D9212 Rotaract District 9212 www.rotaractdistrict9212.org

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Rotaract Photos Rotaract Stories & Moments

Rotatalent Rotacomic Rotapoems

Green Eyes Picture an island. Make it tropical, with giant palm fronds that gently waft the breeze your way as you lounge by the beach. Feel the soft, white sand, then shift your gaze towards the ocean. You see the waves crashing into the reef, fishing boats and dhows bobbing up and down, and the sun floating just over the horizon. How does it feel? Good?

Now scratch that.

This island is a prison. It is bare, desolate and without palm fronds, white sand or gentle waves. The beaches are filled with mines, and the waters have, not boats, but barbed wire lurking beneath the surface. Did you feel a soft breeze before? Well replace that with volcanic ash.

Ruled over by a mad dictator, this island is home to 100 prisoners, held captive here since birth. But every night, any prisoner is allowed to ask the guards for their freedom. If they have green eyes, they are to be released. If not, they are to be dropped into a volcano. Unbeknownst to them, they all have green eyes.

The dictator has done all he can to keep them from finding out the colours of their eyes. There are no mirrors, and the water is opaque. They cannot communicate with each other, but every morning, there is a roll call during which they see each other. Nobody dares ask for their freedom unless they are completely certain of their success.

After significant pressure from human rights organizations, the dictator has been forced to grant you access to the island. You may speak to the prisoners. But there are conditions. Make one statement only, and do not provide them with any new information. How do you help these prisoners without breaching the conditions?

After a lot of thought, you tell them, “At least one of you has green eyes.”

The dictator is suspicious but certain your statement will not change anything. You depart from the island and hear nothing of it until 100 days pass. Suddenly, all the prisoners have left. You outsmarted the mad dictator. But how?

Dear Rotaractor, It has been incredible serving as District PR Director. I have learnt a great deal from you and the Rotarians and Rotaractors of the public image committees. I fancied myself a storyteller growing up. I’d tell long winding tales and watch people’s faces at each twist and turn. But being an editor has been even better.

I have enjoyed receiving your stories, and sharing them for the world to see. Yes, our magazine has been read by Rotaractors and Rotarians around the globe. I have received emails, WhatsApp and Facebook messages telling me how pleasurable an experience it has been to read YOUR work.

I am grateful for the opportunity, and even more grateful for the PR team. They have kept you aware, and kept the District up to date on the individual club and Rotaractor’s activities. When I asked Caty to do the magazine’s design work, she was apprehensive. But she took the leap, and here we are, passing the baton.

As a new team takes over, it can only get better.

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Back to our puzzle? You can simply Google the solution. I have a word limit too, you know. But it ties into my word salad up there like this: There has been a series of people who’ve told me to try things I hadn’t considered trying, and in turn, I have asked people to take up challenges and responsibilities they hadn’t thought they could handle. More often than not, these leaps of faith have worked out pretty well. So, tell somebody they can. Give someone a chance. And when you’re offered a chance, take it, learn from it and pass it on.

Speaking of chances, I find this the most appropriate medium for me to pass my most heartfelt thanks to you, the Rotaractor, for giving me the opportunity to serve you as District Rotaract Representative in 20212022. In many ways I feel like our Rotary journeys together are only just beginning. There is an old walking song from the Lord of the Rings that I have often recited at each beginning during my time in Rotary. In my first ever article for a Rotary publication, over four years ago, I used it to sum up the Charter of the Rotaract Club of Multimedia University. It still rings true.

The Road goes ever on and on Down from the door where it began Now far ahead the Road has gone And I must follow, if I can Pursuing it with eager feet Until it joins some larger way Where many paths and errands meet And whither then? I cannot say Our prisoners discovered, first by being told that at least one of them qualified to leave, then by checking each other’s eyes over 100 days that they each had green eyes. You could have just told them that 99 of them had green eyes (horrible person), but you were, after all, dealing with a mad dictator. Here in Rotaract, there is no such danger.

This puzzle is on inductive reasoning, which is more about probability than certainty, which is often all we have. If you get a chance, take it.

And so, without further ado, here are stories from people who took a chance to write to one very mean editor.

EGO out.

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Presidential message

Increasing our ability to adapt: That is one goal of our new Rotary Action Plan. And wow, have we seen that ability put to the test this year.

In March, Gay and I were to visit Zimbabwe, Turkey, and eight other countries over the course of 30 days.

After participating in a medical mission in Zimbabwe and Commonwealth Week activities in London, on the 11th day, we were packing our suitcases for Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

While attending a dinner at the High Commission for Pakistan in London, we received word that it would be impossible to travel everywhere on our itinerary. So, instead of flying to Zurich, we returned to Evanston and One Rotary Center.

Throughout early March, the news about COVID-19 became increasingly serious throughout the world.

Following the advice of local officials, we canceled UN presidential conferences in Paris and Rome. Soon, the World Health Organization declared the virus a global pandemic, and we consulted with authorities on more critical decisions. We asked all Rotary districts and clubs to curb face-to-face meetings until further notice and to hold virtual meetings instead. To the districts and clubs that have adapted so quickly, thank you.

The Rotary Board of Directors held its first-ever virtual meeting to make the most difficult decision of all, to cancel the 2020 Rotary International Convention. Like the more than 20,000 registrants who planned to attend, I am disappointed. We acted to protect the health and safety of convention attendees and their families, friends, and colleagues, as well as those who call Honolulu home, and I am confident we made the right decision.

I want to thank the 2020 Honolulu Convention Committee, the Host Organization Committee, the 2020 Honolulu Convention Promotion Committee, and Rotary staff for planning what would have been one of the best Rotary conventions yet. I appreciate their hard work.

This issue of The Rotarian was going to press as the decision about canceling the convention was made, and many other decisions across the Rotary world were still up in the air. Future issues of The Rotarian and of Rotary’s regional magazines, along with Rotary’s social media channels, will keep you informed.

We began this Rotary year promoting the importance of the new Action Plan for all Rotarians and Rotaractors. Today, we are putting that plan into action out of necessity. That includes the possibility of a convention-like experience with you through a virtual event. We will have more to say about this in the near future.

The world is changing rapidly, and so must Rotary. Our adaptability and strength will help us navigate this experience. The world needs our leadership today more than ever.

Truly, Rotary Connects the World.

Rotary International President 2019-2020 5

DG

message In times like these, expand your circle of INFLUENCE. ‘Are you chasing the sun or fleeing from the falcon?’ This quote was inscribed in a piece of modern art that I came across in a reference book at the school library. I was an inquisitive teenager then. My mind was sprouting dreams of the future and the wonderful things that I would do when I graduated.

I made a promise to my young self that I would always do my best. For all intents and purposes, I was a sparrow ‘chasing the sun’.

Little did I know that the journey to the glorious mountaintop of fame and fortune is a lifelong trudge. It is a trek over impossible terrain. It is full of boobytraps that fate notoriously sets on your path. And the agonizing advancement is fueled by fear for most of the way.

After numerous bumps and bruises I found myself gradually becoming the sparrow ‘fleeing from the falcon’. Fear may be necessary as an important piece in self-preservation but perpetual dread results in a reactive existence burdened with suppressed aspirations.

Don’t send the youth down that unforgiving path. Instead inject them with confidence and the belief that they can succeed in whatever they set out to achieve. Then show them how we stand up to adversity and calamity with alacrity and determination. And how with love and compassion we can guarantee the survival of mankind.

Steven Covey in his book The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People defines the circle of concern and the circle of influence. His ideas explain how we can build resilience through the toughest times.

The circle of concern and the circle of influence are mutually exclusive. They are constantly fighting for space because one expands at the expense of the other. This conflict is continuously staged in the arena or your consciousness and the results shape your outlook, your experiences, and eventually your outcomes.

Sometimes the circle of concern triumphs. That is when affairs that you have absolutely no control over blur your vision, like sweat streaming over your eyes. Your view is obscured further by a recurring avalanche of daily news that knocks you down with one punch, and as you attempt to recover it strikes you again like a thunderbolt.

When the circle of concern is overwhelming it becomes an unproductive indulgence. It craves repeated doses of breaking news infused with intrigue, gossip and innuendo. Credible journalism and fake news mingle freely and render it impossible to distinguish one from the other. A healthy sprinkle of controversy, drama and conspiracy added to the stories makes them even more irresistible.

However, instead of making you stronger they only sap the life out of you. They leave you feeling powerless and helpless against the blows that providence regularly sends your way.

In contrast, when the circle of influence wins, the issues that you have a firm grip of feature prominently.

Unlike the opposing perspective, this one in particular gives you clarity with a version of truth and reality 6

that you have the power to change.

DG MESSAGE

When the circle of influence is dominant in your life you spend more time on the things that make a difference around you. You pay more attention to the people in your environment and offer a healing peace of mind. And like meditative breathing it keeps you in the present and leads you along the natural path of wellbeing.

You may therefore wish to ignore those friends who have watched every documentary ever filmed about Coronavirus and who are now furiously writing scripts for the next dozen. Their doomsday tales will keep the masses securely enclosed within the circle of concern, like fattened cattle pensively awaiting slaughter.

Instead spend time with Rotarians and people from other organizations that have a practical plan to address the pandemic. Invest your energy with those who are working inch-by-inch to shield society and prepare, in whatever way imaginable, to deal with a possible surge of infections and illness.

The essence of Rotary is to support vulnerable communities in times of need and the world needs us now more than ever. It is crucial that our organization continues to function and grow. Work with your club leaders to implement the set plans so that you can focus on those groups that most need our assistance.

Help the club to prepare for the upcoming leadership succession to ensure a seamless transition and see that there is no down time. Review your plans and take this time to reflect and seek inspiration for a postCOVID world.

Remember that every sunrise is a miracle, so be thankful and live each day.

District Governor (DG) 2019-2020, Rotary International District 9212: Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Eritrea.

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DRR Message

is a wrap!

The year is 2014 BC… Before Corona.

Victory and I had made acquaintance earlier in the year while out and about our hometown - Karatina, Nyeri County. Months in, we learnt we shared a birthday; and our friendship blossomed. When it was time to join the university; she joined Multimedia University in Rongai, while I joined Jomo Kenyatta University in Juja. Rongai and Juja are on the opposite and extreme ends of Nairobi. Several weeks after admission, The Rotary End Polio Walk - which Victory had learnt of from her cousins: Brenda Neberts and Meltreen Sikele - provided an opportune moment for us to meet and catch up. Further, the walk was at the University of Nairobi - half-way for each of us.

The immediate Monday after the walk, I walked into the Rotaract Club of Jomo Kenyatta University (JKUAT) for its weekly meeting. My first impression was of the confidence and professionalism of the then President, Joseph Guchu. The members seemed to have known each other for ages. The fellowship was vibrant and warm. I probably loved the vibrancy, the warmth, the after-fellowship coffee and obviously, the hugs. I went back week after week.

The year is 2015. January is the month that never ends. In Rotaract, it is the season of elections.

I’m nominated and a week later elected into an 11-member board of the Rotaract Club of Jomo Kenyatta University. This is barely 4 months after joining the club. I am shocked for weeks and excited for months.

The question I never asked was: What did the members see in a shy, short and skinny first year student to elect him into the board of a most reputable club? All the same, I put my mind, heart and blood into understanding the expectations and adding value to the club.

One of my fondest memories is of attending the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards - RYLA - Kenya 2015 together with friends: Ambrose Mbuvi, Pauline Arunga and Joseph Mgandi from our club and 70 other Rotaractors from Kenya, Ethiopia and Nigeria. Yet again, I meet peers who hug warmly, ready to ignite friendships and eager to learn from the training facilitators. Their energy, especially past 8 P.M. is too much.

Presidency Rotaract Club Presidency can’t be summarised into a paragraph; not even an article. More so, for a shy, short and skinny President, the Presidency year is a lot – a lot of good transformation. Leading a proactive board; growing club membership; nurturing interclub relationships; fundraising for and implementing service projects – I was on a back-to-back schedule for 365 days.

The District Conference and Assembly in 2017 was in Kisumu, Kenya. This was my first DCA. By pure coincidence, when one of the panellists was late for a session, I was pulled up to the stage in front of slightly 8

over 500 Rotarians and Rotaractors. In a session chaired by then EABL Group HR Director and now Safaricom PLC Chief HR Officer, Paul Kasimu; a shy, short and skinny President implored Rotarians: “Be the mentor you wish you had”. Each day and night of the annual event is a memory I shall never lose.

DRR MESSAGE

District Leadership My dad got wind of my election as DRR via social media. His tone was: “What’s the news?”. He was an excited Dad, but Africanness couldn’t let him be. All year round, Dad, Mum and my sisters have been incredibly supportive and I’m ever grateful.

In 2019-20, we have made progress: we’ve recorded 100 Rotaract Clubs and over 2700 Rotaractors across the district; held professional and leadership trainings for our members, including RYLA Kenya 2019; hosted Rotaractors from across Africa in Ethiopia and initiated strategic events including hiking Mt. Kenya to raise funds for the Rotary Foundation. We’ve taken time to plan, fundraise and implement community service projects passionately. Though COVID-19 has disrupted the year, we’re pulling closer and proving very resilient. After a heart-warming year at the helm of Rotaract District leadership, all I want to say is THANK YOU: thank you for gifting me the opportunity to be your DRR. To the Rotaract Club of JKUAT: thank you for being my formative Rotaract Club. Thank you for the evervibrant weekly fellowships; the Friday evenings at Thika Sports Club and the memories made supporting Muthiga Children’s Home.

To the members, guests and alumni of the Rotaract Club of Nairobi Central: thank you for your sincerest friendship and rock-solid support. Thank you for inviting me into such a warm family; trusting me to organize a road-trip from Nairobi to Addis Ababa; and allowing me to be the club’s SAA 2018-19. For all the support throughout my tenure as DRR, I’m in awe.

To all the Rotaractors and Rotarians in District 9212: thank you for accepting my lead. Thank you for allowing me to be one amongst your friends; hosting me at your club fellowships, projects and in your homes; and joining hands to grow Rotaract’s membership and its impact across our district, our communities and in ourselves.

When all is said and done, what remain with us are the memories. As I sign off, what I know for sure is that Rotaract leadership is worth the time and energy - it transforms one into a better person. I’m glad I walked this path.

The Future I’m glad to be handing over to a most capable team, led by DRR Elect Kennedy Gayah and thereafter DRR Nominee George Otieno. I’m certain that Rotaract’s best days are ahead of us. Personally, I shall be enjoying active membership at the Rotaract Club of Nairobi Central and, soon, at a Rotary Club.

District Rotaract Representative (DRR) 2019-2020, Rotary International District 9212: Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Eritrea.

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We are Rotary’s future

Kennedy Gayah- The District Rotaract Representative-Elect of District 9212; Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Sudan.

A member of the Rotaract Club of Nairobi Central and a Past President of Rotaract Club of The University of Nairobi, Lower Kabete.

I spend a lot of time reading widely on different topics, and the current global COVID-19 pandemic has taken it to a whole new level. While the true heroes of the present time, our medical personnel, continue to be at the forefront of ensuring that everyone is safe, we must support their course by staying at home and practicing social discipline. The need to follow global health advice and government restrictions has many of us behind closed doors or contained in particular environs. For me, working from home and limited social involvements has enhanced my interest in reading. From exploring articles on the pandemic itself to reading about loon balloons. From reading about the success stories of community service projects by Rotary and Rotaract clubs in the Islands of Oceania to the joy of fellowship in clubs in South America. We have all been drawn to new interests if not sleeping.

Movement has been suspended but time continues to wither away. Days continue to draw closer to the end of the Rotary year of connecting people; a year that has laid the foundation for a better engaged and rejuvenated Rotaract. The growth of Rotaract in recent times has been quite impressive in all corners of the world and it wasn’t a surprise when the 2019 Council of Legislation voted to elevate Rotaract to become a membership option in Rotary International. This progress was taken a step further when in October, the Rotary Board of Directors scrapped off the age cap in Rotaract and eliminated key barriers that have in the past impeded the growth of our clubs globally.

The message is clear. In the words of RI President, Mark Maloney, ‘Rotaract is a vision of what Rotary must become’. An open, flexible, fun and accommodating home for young professionals. An avenue to grow the reach of our projects and Rotary’s membership. Rotaract is a flame the will reignite the enthusiasm and impact of Rotary clubs; a 115-year success story.

Due to our expanded horizon, for the second time in history, RI President-Elect Holger Knaack invited a select group of 60 Rotaractors to attend the RI International Assembly, where I was honored to join Rotary’s top brass in San Diego, CA. The International Assembly is Rotary’s biggest annual training event that brings together all the Governors-Elect of the 527 districts in a bid to prepare them to take their districts to the next level when they take up office. This year’s edition took place from January 19th to 25th. This is a step in the right direction aimed at bringing the young and exciting to the decision-making table, and ensuring they are better listened to, with their ideas taken to thought and implementation.

The week-long training saw us delve into key areas of leadership and our future as an organization.

Importance was placed on strategic planning, membership engagement, tactical public image promotion 10

WE ARE ROTARY’S FUTURE - DRRE KENNEDY GAYAH

and rethinking social and community projects. With elevate Rotaract, the emphasis is drawn for Rotary to embrace diversity in our membership demographics, innovation and the nature of our projects. It is time to think differently, act differently and create impact differently. That is why we need to be excited about opening new doors of opportunities.

The next Rotary year promises to be one that will be remembered for years to come. All the great steps that have been set up formally come to play on July 1st, which begs the question; How prepared are you as a Rotaractor and as a Rotaract club? It’s one thing to be given the opportunity to fly and whole different thing to know how you make your first flight. The need to reimagine the impossible calls for us to change how we run our affairs. There has never been a better time to invest in strategic planning and strategic positioning; a time to collaborate with our existing partners and reach out to new ones.

‘We must capture this moment to grow Rotary, making it stronger, more adaptable and even more aligned with Rotary’s core values. Rotary isn’t a club to join, rather an invitation to endless opportunities’

What Rotaract and Rotary will become lies in our hands, choices, confidence, and enthusiasm. We are the future. Be excited.

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WHERE TO BEGIN? When I joined Rotaract, I did so because of Community Service, something I had been practicing before, and yeah, my induction was in Watamu - Tropical Beach Resort - by then Country Chair, Rotaractor Billy Kagai.

The journey so far has been a very nice one with learning, opportunities, challenges, and insights. The connections both within Rotary / Rotaract and outside the Rotary family have been amazing, I’m happy to report. As a member of the Rotaract Club of Karura, a club that majorly does environment-related programs and projects across and beyond the District, we have planted close to 500,000 trees both in Kenya D9212 and Uganda D9211 through partnership with NGOs and other Rotaract clubs. This brings me to my contributions so far in D9212.

At some point in my Rotaract journey, I asked myself why as a Country within D9212 we made annual trips across East Africa through REACT (Rotaract East Africa impACT) doing various projects each year but did not do the same in Kenya as Rotaractors! So I approached our then DRR Rotaractor Billy, and shared my thoughts.

After various meetings and consultations, the GREEN ROTARACT CONCEPT was born and the journey of doing projects across the Country commenced. A journey that was and is still being supported by Rotaractors across the District and beyond. Since its inception, we have managed to plant 400,000+ trees, both in the Country and in Uganda in partnership with REI (Rotaract Earth Initiative).

Rotaract Club of Karura

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Quarantine thoughts Rotaract Club of Muthaiga

We have witnessed history change each of our stories in this 2020. A year full of world news. And since it has already robbed us of a country music king, it is only right to start off this article with a timely country song.

“Hello, God? Are you out there? Can you hear us? Are you listenin’ anymore? Hello, God? If we’re still on speakin’ terms …Can You help us like before? Oh, the free will You have given …We have made a mockery of… this is no way to be livin’ We’re in great need of Your love…” Hello God, Dolly Parton Like Dolly, we all need to have conversation with our gods, a man to God. The occurrences this far have taught me two main lessons. Everything is possible. Bad things can happen to good people and being good or bad is not a premise for any guaranteed outcome. Being good in principal is a good thing but reality is not depended on that.

This quarantine period has been filled with introspection and reflection. Reading books, afternoon naps, trying out new recipes, learning new skills, looking at old photos, noticing things about ourselves. And our perception of time has completely changed. How am I able to have 4 naps while it is still day time? Let’s be honest, our days are mostly bland, at least mine are.

This is not a ‘10 things you should do during quarantine.’ Nope! This is a much-needed conversation about how the creative sector has been scarred by economic upheaval. What are the measures we can take to ensure that the orange economy and/or the juakali (informal industry) sector can be revived after this cloud has passed?

Conventionally, proper preparation prevents poor performance. My high school principal would be very pleased to see I remember his mantra. However, we live in a country where working systems are aberrant.

Hence, we have to be innovative in how we choose to adapt amidst the crisis.

A practical way to continue being profitable and productive is to ensure that we invest heavily in our digital systems.

We can make it a culture that, even without a pandemic, we can continue to show solidarity and togetherness despite our craft. This social distancing concept has made us have the best online shows on Instagram and YouTube and nobody is trolling anyone over likes or views. This is truly who we are as a people. We are not strangers, but the race mirage we have created among ourselves propagates hate and negative competition and causes us anxiety and early death.

The pandemic has proved to us that we are just a bunch of humans, no class, no race. After this is done, we should be a bit more compassionate, loving and kind to each other. We should also elect leaders who can help our lives.

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The Presidential ride

President 2019-2020, Rotaract Club of Malindi.

“This was a very tight race, and we probably would have had a rerun if not for the diaspora votes. All the same, we have a President Elect. Drum rolls please…”

Right there was the longest imaginary drumroll in my Rotaract life. I was caught in between an acceptance speech and what I had just said I would do if I was the runner’s up and honestly, that was a very intense double minded experience.

It is funny how the moments after the announcement lasted like “bundles za saf*”. I bet it was the excitement and the joy that friends, lovers and foes extended through the congratulatory messages plus the feeling of being called president.

And as it is in Rotary, transition and succession is very important. No sooner had the dust of the excitement settled than emails started trickling in. Basically, I had to hit the ground running and make a work plan for the year, constitute a board and organize an installation dinner.

The beauty of Rotaract is that everyone is a volunteer, and leading volunteers is totally different from what I was taught in college. You see, here you have less leverage at your disposal, and your ability to influence and motivate is fully tested. Here, you realize that people won’t follow you because they have to. You are not their employer, and despite your position, you are not really their boss. They also won’t follow you because they owe you. You have to reach out, connect, motivate and influence.

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So, the team was assembled and I had my Captain America moment (Avengers! Assemble). We had a memorable road trip to Voi for ROTS and an extension to Holili, on TanzaniaKenya border. The light at the end of the tunnel was now shinning brighter. The team was trained, motivated and “road tripically” knitted. Then the first wave, in the form of a transfer and promotion, rocked our boat even before we

THE PRESIDENTIAL RIDE - PETER MWARANGU

could actualize our first order of business.

As if that wasn’t enough, during my term I had to replace 3 members of my team.

Our first order of business was organizing our installation and boy wasn’t it grand.

From the guest of honor, the guests that turned up and the glam dress code, the support and synergy of the team was just out of this world. Man, I felt like it was my wedding, without the bride though. (Oh, there is no use of emojis here) and it had its lessons too. I got to understand more on delegation and the power of a good team.

After the installation (please read wedding, it was that memorable) the rubber met the road. Projects had to be done, guests for weekly meetings had to be contacted and scheduled, monthly reports had to be submitted, fundraisers had to be done, fun fellowships had to be organized, cheques had to be written, dockets had be constituted and made functional, signature projects had be executed to required standards or better, and I had to do something to cement my legacy, my big four agenda, if you will. It gets really presidential.

Despite the technical hitches and human factor, the ride has been an awesome, adrenaline filled rollercoaster. There is the thrill of actualizing plans that were just thoughts, the fun that comes with leading your team, the growth that members of the club realize, especially when you delegate a project to an otherwise shy and somewhat introverted member and they blossom into an outstanding team leader. How about the unforgettable fellowships that we will live to remember, and the impact of community service projects the club gets to do? Here, a few big agendas get actualized. (how about we use the track record for a re-run?)

On a personal level, the growth is abundant. I have gained organizational, leadership, negotiation, conflict resolution, project management, small organization financial management, fundraising, mobilization, projection, small group management, motivational, and public speaking skills. And I have sharpened my skills through the professional development talks and, of course the latest; conducting online meetings.

Despite the fear that being a president of a club is associated with, my experience has been a cherished one. I have gained more than I have lost, grown my network and skills and my Rotaract journey is now full circle, and has opened more opportunities ahead.

Bundles za Saf* is Safaricom Data Bundles. A mysterious substance that as soon as you have, you don’t have.

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March 7th 2020.

WESTLANDS IS

25!

The evening that was. Members of the Rotaract Club of Westlands had their Silver Jubilee Anniversary at the Swiss Lenana Mount Hotel. The theme was black and silver. An array of splendid, fancy meals, intricate seating arrangements, music and chatter filled the ballroom that was decked out for this occasion.

After all, 25 years is no mean feat!

You’ll agree that we were lucky that this major event for us as a club that was not affected by the pandemic we’re in today. We were also lucky to celebrate this day with members from the Rotary family as a whole.

We had members from our mother club turn up in numbers. Past Presidents of our clubs from way back showed up, and we were also lucky to have our DRR, Samuel Karanja, and PDRR Billy Kagai with us. We even had a club member travel from Kilifi to join us for the dinner. Clearly, missing this event was a no-go zone.

We are 25 and still growing strong. Westlands is a club that has braved the ocean of time and all it brings, and come out the other end better. We had a past president of the club narrate struggles of keeping the club alive with less than 3 members. We had another whose story was the beginning of great fortunes for the club in terms of membership then. The projects that the club has seen to fruition in the 25 years are accomplishments that will continue to be cherished in the timeline of the club. The lives impacted through the efforts of members, friendships made, relationships blossomed (I think), and most of all, the bond between members from all generations will be cherished for life.

We were also blessed enough to induct new members during the occasion. Forward ever, backward never.

The food was delish, the stories were both heart warming and rib cracking, the after party was… Need I say more? We are WESTLANDS AFTER ALL!

#IFITSNOTFUNITSNOTROTARACT

Rotaract Club of Westlands

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WESTALNDS AT 25!

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The Whiteboard Cleanup Emmanuel Kosgei President 2019-2020, Rotaract Club of MMUST.

Blackboards are probably in the backgrounds of our first school memories. They established the essential frameworks for our education, from the fundamental ABCs to what we learn even today. Nowadays, most institutions, including Masinde Muliro University, use whiteboards instead of blackboard because they are non-messy, encourage participation, are cost effective and simple to use. All the same, we have had challenges with whiteboard use within the institution. Permanent marker pens have been used in some occasions, making learning in classrooms a bit challenging, and resulting in a lack of concentration in lecture halls since the whiteboards are dirty.

The Rotaract Club decided to help solve the problem by cleaning all the whiteboards in all lecture halls within the university using acetone and ethanol. We do monthly assessments to ensure all the white boards are clean. We also stick posters near the whiteboards informing lecturers and students not to use permanent marker pens, and informing them to join us every Friday at 4 P.M. Sticking posters on the walls has also earned us great publicity.

This has made students inquire more about Rotaract and eventually end up as Rotaractors. This project has enabled students to concentrate more in class, made lecturers’ work easier, and brought joy to Rotaractors. Every time you get to class with your classmates, you get to show them what you did, and it makes you feel proud of the club.

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Uncertainty

is where new happens President 2019-2020, Rotaract Club of Chuka University.

This is a conversational slap from the universe to wake you up from your true potential and get spectacularly into your life. Has Rotary connected the World for you?

During my installation as President, I felt as if I was reaching the stars with my short hands. I was uncertain. But hey, uncertainty is where new happens. I wanted to know what to expect, where to go and what to wear, I wanted to be prepared and to be safe.

Luckily for me, life wasn’t nearly as scary as I thought it would be. My amazing board of directors and Rotaractors made it easier through their unending support, love and willingness to serve. There were down moments, but we sailed through. The truth is, you can’t even predict what the people you know will do, let alone people you don’t know.

Success in our activities was never certain, and it never came without a risk. We would rush to make decisions then later change our minds. There was no guarantee for anything. There were even days when we doubted what we were doing. Advice - In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

Having different views and opinion made us more connected than ever. Appreciate diversity.

Rotary Year 2020/2021 Theme: Rotary Opens Opportunities has come to play pretty early. The COVID-19 pandemic has also brought some uncertainty, but Rotary has stepped up to provide solutions though awareness and service provision. Uncertainty is our personal pathway to opportunity. It’s the environment in which we grow, experience new things and produce new, unprecedented results.

On COVID-19: it is what it is. On that note, keep safe and adhere to the set directives by our health officials.

Rotaract will not be Rotaract without you!

19

why join the green rotaract concept Edited by Sarah Wanjofu The Green Rotaract Concept is a branch of Rotaract, a membership option in Rotary International. Its main focus is on environmental management and conservation. This is accomplished through tree planting, community cleanups, garbage collection, site visits and community awareness campaigns on environmental management.

Green Rotaract was born under leadership of past DRR Mr. Billy Kagai, and the first chair was Mr. Ignatius Odhiambo. The duo spearheaded various projects that were eye-opening to many Rotaractors who in turn took up the challenge to take care of our environment and go green, thus the slogan “DON’T BE MEAN, GO GREEN” Within approximately three years of existence, the GRC has grown and opened its wings to other countries in District 9212 like Ethiopia. Uganda being in a different District has not been left behind on matters environment. They have also placed District 9211 on the ‘GREEN MAP’ as we have partnered with the Rotaract Earth Initiative, formalizing our partnership last year, and joining them during their Mbale and 20

WHY JOIN THE GREEN ROTARACT CONCEPT - AMUTABI BETTY VENESSA

Bushenyi editions.

As stated above, we focus mainly on: tree planting, clean ups, site visits and e-waste management which means that as a Rotaractor, you won’t lack a niche that attracts your interest.

On matters tree planting, we plant trees both locally and regionally. For instance, in the last couple of years we have planted more than 20,000 trees in Kenya. We had a major project in the Nairobi National Park where we planted acacia trees in the park so as to rehabilitate it after the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway that destroyed natural habitats for wild animals. We also plant trees within schools in Kenya thanks to the partnership and sponsorship of Miti Alliance, who have been our partners since the formation of GRC. Our Ethiopian brothers and sisters have also done excellent projects on the same, with us partnering with them at the beginning of this Rotary year in a tree planting challenge.

GRC has managed to do a cleanup in an informal settlement in Thika. Trenches were cleaned, garbage collected and disposed safely in conjunction with the authorities. A cleanup of the 14 falls was also organized in line with the Adopt A River Initiative, an ongoing project to clean the Nairobi River and its tributaries over the next decade in partnership with UN. On e-waste management, we have partnered with the WEEE CENTRE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Centre) at Embakasi, doing site visits and getting to learn about E-waste management, which is a new concept in our country, as people dispose of E-waste carelessly, not knowing that it can cause to lead poisoning and even cancer. We got to learn of the various processes involved in e-waste management which include: • S ecuring data destruction: This involves destruction of confidential information on electronic media, leaving no residue thus the electronic can be reused if possible.

• Asset recovery: Functional electronic equipment parts and accessories are recovered and reused • IT asset disposal: This involves decommissioned parts and fractions that cannot be recycled or reused locally. They are reshipped to recycling facilities with the capacities and capabilities to safely dispose them off, mostly in developed countries in Europe.

• Training: The centre trains locals in various sectors by creating awareness on safe waste management, storage and disposal methods.

GRC also has a fun side! It’s not just work. We organize socials where we invite speakers, hold fundraisers and most of all, take road trips to project destinations where we get to visit new places, make lifelong friends and make a change in our own small way when participating in such projects.

We are all encouraged, as Rotaractors to be green ambassadors so that we can heal this world and make it a better place for us and the next generation.

REMEMBER: DON’T BE MEAN, GO GREEN

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save a drop Secretary 2019-2020, Green Rotaract Concept, Ethiopia.

We can’t ignore how much we need water in our lives. We need it in our daily activities, directly or indirectly.

Water is the most precious resource we have, but we have been so used to having it that we don’t put ourselves in other people’s shoe. Unfortunately, there are millions of people who struggle to have it. These people cover huge number of the world’s population. Considering how much we are frustrated with the lack of water for a short period of time, it wouldn’t be difficult to imagine how much those people suffer from the problem every day.

Water has a great effect on our bodies because we lose it through breathing, sweating, and digestion, which makes it important to rehydrate by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water. As a matter of fact, we all need water for survival.

Water shortage is not just unavailability of water, but also scarcity of clean water. There is no single country in the world not suffering from water shortage. A great example of this is Cambodia. An estimated 84% of their population has no access to clean water yet the longest river in South East Asia, called Mekong river, flows through it. The unparalleled solution for this is working on different ways of consumption.

To mention some of the water consumption ways: • Proper usage: this includes turning off water while brushing teeth, while taking a shower, while washing the dishes and doing other activities especially those that let us take a few seconds or even minutes break.

• Reusing and recycling: this especially works for home activities like using unsalted pasta water to our plants, collecting used water in a bucket to clean our houses with and rainwater harvesting which has a saying related to it, “Today’s rain water is tomorrow’s life saver. Save it now.”

• Educating others: this is a very effective method since we have a great power of influencing the people around us by sharing what we know and showing that we actually care.

To relate this with the current situation the world is suffering from, the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the most important preventive methods is washing our hands frequently. Even at such panicking times, with the necessity of water we tend to only worry about cleaning our hands rather than saving water. We leave the tap open and waste the water someone else could have used. It is clear that we waste more than we use.

While following the proper steps of washing hands, it is highly advisable to close the water tap between applying soap and rinsing to avoid running water.

We lose lots of things in life and find alternatives for most of them. Water on the other hand, has no alternative so why wait until it is too late? If you think your contribution doesn’t matter, imagine every single individual on earth saving a single drop of water and do the math on how much of a difference we could make. The world is a thirsty place which is covered with a few erroneous assumptions that we are doing just fine. Have you ever dreamt of being a hero? Here is your chance, be a water hero!

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ROTARY ETHIOPIA COVID-19 RESPONSE

25

A year as

country chair Greetings fellow Rotaractors!!!

Santosh Kalwar once said ‘every beginning has an end’ and it seems the end of this Rotary Year has come sooner than we had anticipated!

Well, equally, an end of any tenure is an opportunity for other people to serve. With this, it has been an honor to serve as your country chair.

When this Rotary year began, our goal as the country team was to serve our members and give them the priority as we often forget them in the midst of us serving humanity. The need to set up and fundraise for a kitty specifically to support clubs in their various projects, as well as country and regional projects, not forgetting individual member sponsorships to District and Country programs like the DCA and RYLA will remain our priority.

Even though we are still in the middle of a pandemic, I am still hopeful that we will work together with the incoming team to make our fundraising project, The Fashion Show Concert, happen. The same goes for the country’s signature project of donating and buying pad-making machines for Lolmolog Village in Samburu, dubbed “Padilisha Maisha na Rotaract.”

We are happy to have achieved a few of the set goals: • Four out of the five regions have already identified sustainable projects unique to their regions’ need and planning is underway. Most of these projects will run for a period of 1-2 years.

• Working hand in hand with struggling clubs to strengthen and enlighten them more on what Rotaract is and how to make their clubs active with an end goal of keeping them vibrant.

• Engaging regions by having various regional events such as board retreats which took place in three out of the five regions. Unfortunately, we had to postpone the Rotalympics due to the Covid-19 pandemic That would have been quite engaging!

During the short time that I have been in office, and from visits that I made to both struggling and thriving clubs, I have had a few take-homes; 1. Family bonds are key in strengthening clubs.

2. Clubs are willing to thrive and all they need is a helping hand to steer them in the right direction.

3. There is beauty in diversity. Being different is okay. What works for one club might not work for another club.

4. Take time and figure out what works best for your club.

5. Patience is always key. New and struggling clubs need to take their time to build and strengthen their membership and bond. When that is done, the rest will fall in place.

26

MY TIME AS COUNTRY CHAIR - CC CHRISTINE AWUOR

I am happy to hear that the DRRE Kennedy Gaya and his team will be going back to the basics because that is what Rotaract Kenya needs right now to make and keep all the 83 clubs vibrant.

On growth, well, I have acquired lots of organizational and problem-solving skills. I have made lifetime friends as a bonus!

Being in a leadership position enables you to learn skills that you neither had nor thought you needed. But that is the beauty and goal of Rotaract: To develop and improve one’s professional and personal skills. It is for that reason that I urge and encourage members to take these leadership positions when they come knocking and when you want to challenge yourselves because that is how you grow. It is the best decision I made.

As a Country Chair, I have had several highlights, but this one is dear to my heart. One afternoon I made an impromptu visit to the Rotaract Club of Africa Nazarene University’s POLIO ENDGAME fundraising event at Sarit Center, Nairobi. When I walked in, I was approached by a few members (and unknown to me, they were guests at the time) and as to any stranger, they beautifully sold their pitch to me as they would anyone who was walking into the store. They did not know who I was as I was not wearing any visible branded Rotaract material and/or pin (It is my custom to wear my Rotary wheel bracelet when making impromptu visits because it is never easily identifiable hence giving me the upper hand of studying a club incognito. It works when no one knows me in the club).

After they finished selling their pitch, I promised to donate for the worthy cause but first, I informed them, I had to exchange greetings with a friend. Before I left, I decided to introduce myself. The look on their faces was priceless! They were flabbergasted! It is not their surprise that made this is a highlight, but the fact that these people who approached me with so much commitment, passion, and enthusiasm were actually guests of the club, and that right there is the quality of Rotaractor we need!

Last but not least, I take this opportunity to immensely thank my team for walking with me through this journey. The numerous annoying long phone calls and voice notes you all had to put up with endears you to me. I owe you guys a lot! Thank you! To my fashion show committee, you guys are amazing! Thank you so much, and do not forget that we still have a fashion show concert to deliver. WE GOT THIS! To the incoming team, I wish you well in the year ahead. I know at this point it looks like a large mountain to climb, but it will be a fun and educative journey mixed with some pressure to indicate that you are doing it right. You always have my support as you move forward.

Always remember, if it is not fun, it is not Rotaract. Build family and friendship out of this opportunity to serve.

As I conclude, friends and family of Rotaract, let’s all continue to SERVE HUMANITY by MAKING A DIFFERENCE while still BEING AN INSPIRATION and CONNECTING THE WORLD as we OPEN OPPORTUNITIES! Thank you all and during this trying time of COVID-19, please STAY SAFE!

Country Chair 2019-2020, Rotaract Kenya

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MY YALI-ROTARACT EXPERIENCE Club Secretary 2019-2020, Rotaract Club of Kitale.

A click on a link I came across that evening of 16th October 2016, on Facebook. That’s how my journey as a young leader started!

It’s amazing how social media is a great tool if and when used responsibly. It seems crazy now that I haven’t been on social media for close to two years now, but that’s a story for another day!

I was excited and motivated to write the essays and fill the application after reading about the program and what it offered: An opportunity for vibrant, young African individuals to get trained on leadership and professional development. FYI at this point I wasn’t sure I was that ‘vibrant’ but there was clearly a drive and focus that really inspired me to finish and submit my application in only 3 days, to the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Initiative (MWF-YALI). I have to admit, one of the greatest motivations was to travel to the United States of America. The program was to take place in different States and Universities across the States. This was going to be my first International trip and my first time on the plane! Cool, Right?!

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MY YALI-ROTARACT EXPERIENCE - DIANA ATIENO WENDY

Who and what is YALI? I get this question trizillion (editor will allow it this one time…) times!

The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) is the U.S. government’s signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. It targets young Africans between the ages of 18 and 35. YALI was launched in 2010 to support young African leaders as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across sub-Saharan Africa. It is divided into The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders which is the flagship program of the U.S. Government. YALI Regional Leadership Centers (RLCs) are located at higher education institutions in sub-Saharan Africa and offer leadership training programs. The YALI Network is an online extension of YALI that provides members with invaluable opportunities to connect with other leaders in their communities and to learn from experts in their fields. The programs provide in-person and online training, networking, and professional development opportunities, and serve as a place for regional and international collaboration driven by young leaders.

Amazingly, I got selected as one of the 1,000 2017 Mandela Fellows. I was placed at Texas Tech University in Lubbock town in Texas. Together with the 24 other young people from different African countries, we had a great experience from the class trainings to site visits and community service in Lubbock town. Later on, I stepped into the Marriott Conference room full of 999 young leaders in Washington DC. I can never forget the beautiful smiles and energy that I came across that day, and I don’t think anyone at that summit ever will! There were also inter-cultural experiences: Ghanaian jollof rice amazing, Tacos are great and hey, everyone should try Liberian spiced stew when they get a chance to. And everyone should meet Sheriffya, now my best friend, from Benin and an accomplished nutritionist - she is amazing!

There is a lot of diversity and potential in young people. Just like Rotaract, YALI provides a platform for young and energetic accomplished leaders who are establishing records of promoting innovation and positive impact in their communities and countries to connect and partner.

I easily relate to both platforms because of the similarities in training, experiences and opportunities which are playing a big role in my early career development and position as a young woman leader in agriculture.

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Old friends, new friends

One beautiful Wednesday, I set my eyes on a Thursday invitation to a talk on Reproductive Health.

At first, I asked myself what this topic would really be about. Wouldn’t it be the normal biological things I know? In fact, at a glance, it would be a boring topic. With that went my interest in attending.

On Thursday, I had a very busy day with meetings and a serious online aptitude test. Amidst all the day’s events I had a constant push saying, “Just go. You may learn a thing or two. You never know.” For a second, I spoke out loud to myself. “wacha tu nitaona vile itakua” (I will decide based on how the day progresses).

At 6:50pm a friend I had not seen for a while, one I am fond of, calls me telling me they are in town and would like to see me. I had just completed the aptitude test. It was 10 minutes to 7pm when the talk was to begin. Oh my!

“Hello, I am happy to hear from you, how are you doing?”

“Quite fine. I am in Malindi. Can I see you at 7pm? I have till 7:30pm to travel back. Can we catch up before then?”

My heart was overjoyed! But I paused, remembering the talk. Tick-tock! I had to choose between the friend and the talk.

“Wow! That’s lovely. It’s been long since I last saw you. It would be lovely to see you again. However, there is this talk at Comfy Palace that starts at 7pm and I would like to attend it.”

I had made my choice. It was not the choice I would have loved to have made.

Letting go of the chance to see the friend, catch up and see them off was a sacrifice.

However, my words were affirmed. My heart was at peace that indeed it was worth the sacrifice.

“It’s okay, I would have loved to see you, but from your voice, it seems like the talk is vital to you, so kindly go. There is always a next time. Stay in touch.”

The call ended with me heartbroken but psyched up to rush to the talk. I grabbed my bag, got on a bike and headed off to the meeting.

Luckily, I make it on time. At 7 sharp I was seated in the restaurant eagerly waiting for the meeting to begin. At that moment, all the “it will be boring” notions had vanished. I was excited to prove to myself that “There is always something you can learn,” from this.

It started with one talk then I got interested in the next. The choice I made that day is what introduced me to a world of possibilities and opportunities.

Later I was added to a WhatsApp Group which turned out to a great avenue where I interact with beautiful souls, get to discuss various topics, play puzzles, learn new applications, attend educative and insightful online meetings across all clubs, share great books and much more.

These awesome people may be just acquaintances at the moment, but I hope to make one or two good friends in the future.

Rotaract Club of Malindi 30

It started with a set and love became what we felt I asked for your set then you sent a text My plan was to draw a triangle but ended up drawing a square and you became my equal You said that your set lacked a compass but truth be said, you already gave me direction The teacher said remove your books but I heard nothing for I stared at your looks When you tried to tell me what the teacher said all I saw were your lips and smile It lasted for a while before the whip gave me a wakeup call then the teacher said out run for a mile It started with a set and love became what we felt I came back exhausted but direct to where you sat for I still wanted to mingle You gave me a smile so I sat as you showed me how to draw an angle My mind gave a run and all I heard was, “If you want to draw an angle, let us do a tango.”

I nodded saying yes to everything you said even when you asked if I would mind eating a mango You became angry and hit me with your ruler then stormed out of class It started with a set and love became what we felt I followed you like a pencil follows a ruler I still had not known how to draw an angle but oh your curves made some angles I hit a 90° turn before you ran out of sight Luckily I was able to catch up and had you on my side and walked drawing parallel lines You said you were angry but I explained my reason and so love sparked and became our season It started with a set and love became what we felt We went back holding hands for we were corresponding angles You squared plus me squared equals love so we drew triangles In class you offered your set and now I am offering a net A gown that befits your beauty for love has grown Give me a 360° turn as we dance walking down the aisle I am in my suit you in your dazzling gown sharing love started by a set to our wedding now set.

John Njoroge (Kajonikim Poetry) Rotaract Club of Ngong’ Hills

31

Good

corporate boy Rotaract Club of Youthzone When I first heard of Rotary from my German mentors, (a German couple and friends that were dedicated to helping in my career and professional growth) I thought of it as an organization with lots career mentorship programmes. My mentors had recommended me that I join a rotary club within my area so as to develop more professionally and expand my network. I had never joined any club apart from college clubs. Before, I had this notion that clubs belonged to the rich cool kids and their rich family friends. I was wrong all that while.

That was July 2018. Come September when classes resumed, I had the task of finding myself a rotary club.

I had no idea where any was located or when they met. In my mind, I knew it was just an organization. After having spent time at ORACLE where my mentors had worked as IT experts, I decided to put to use some of the IT skills I had. I got on Facebook and searched “Rotary club of Mombasa.” To my surprise, a number of options appeared, all located in Mombasa. I went in through them one by one trying to understand and see which of them I would call home. I was spoilt for choice. Remember, my mentors were waiting on my feedback.

I settled on the Rotary club of Mombasa Nyali. After finding their meeting time and venue, I decided to check in. That evening, I remember I dressed like a good corporate boy and walked into Voyager Beach Resort. The ambience was cool, with cold air from the ocean. The security officers were kind enough to direct me to the venue. Luckily, I stumbled upon a Rotarian from Uganda who was a guest of the club. She is a young, beautiful, welcoming and ambitious lady. I wondered why she chose law as her career. After exchanging pleasantries, she took me through what Rotary is all about, then told me of the different levels in Rotary (Interact, Rotaract and Rotary). Soon afterwards, the meeting started. I saw someone read the grace and another read the Four Way Test. I had no idea what those were. But it was my first Rotary session and what could I have known? Then President Leo welcomed all to the meeting.

The attendance was well similar to the diversity that I was exposed to earlier at Oracle. There were different nationalities, as I’d expected. They had a great speaker that day who took us through cyber security, an interesting topic in this digital era. At the end of the session, club President Leo then made recommendations for those of us who were students to join Rotaract clubs. Did I mention that on that particular day, 40% of the attendees were guests, new to Rotary? I remember him citing some of the Rotaract clubs around.

Once again, I got on Facebook’s search and looked for Rotaract clubs within. I already had the names in mind. I just needed to look for their venues and meeting hours. After engaging club after club, the Rotaract Club of Youthzone was kind enough to reply to my queries and that is how I got invited to their meetings.

At the Rotaract Club of Youthzone, my first session happened to be a games day. Initially I was nervous around these fellow youths. I was more nervous than I was at RC Nyali. Maybe it was because I joined them 32

GOOD CORPORATE BOY - TEDDIE AMBALE

mid-session. But when the games began, I relaxed. It was a nice bonding experience and I felt more at home than ever.

That is how I got to settle at RAC Youthzone. In the consecutive meetings, I grew fonder of Rotaract. In fact, it occurred that I always arrived early at Rotaract meetings. I missed no meetings, attended neighboring clubs’ fellowships and eventually became the club PR director within my first year in the club. I am now Club Secretary for the incoming Rotary Year 2020-2021. Truly, it has been quite a journey. I have found a new family and home where, together, we get to appreciate and serve the community. My expectations of Rotary have been surpassed. I expected only professionalism at Rotary, but I found more.

At Rotaract, I found more love. The love of united friends who will stand with you at any moment, through any rough times along the way.

I have also learnt to appreciate everyone around me, regardless of their backgrounds. Through Rotaract community projects, I have come to understand the Rotary Grace: In the things we think, say and do may we be forever mindful of the needs of other people. Thus, the slogan Service Above Self.

Any project, however small, still has an impact on someone’s life. The little things that we do when we come together really do mean a lot. It is said that people will forget what you did and said, but they will not forget how you made them feel. Today I feel proud to be part of this group that is taking part in changing lives positively in the community and promoting professional growth in individuals.

What is Rotaract to me?

Rotaract is family. It is a family of friends you can count on when distressed, have fun with and open your heart to. It is friends and professionals who are willing to offer you advice free of charge, with no consultation fees, and that is there to help you grow and develop professionally. It has lots of opportunities for your talents, and is there for you.

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part 1 Rotaract Club of JKUAT Hey there Rota. Actor. *winks* although in real life I really can’t wink.

Welcome to my rotaract journey (insert that wide smiley face of some smiley new person you just met.) If you didn’t smile then, you will when you meet me. My smile is contagious.

Oh wow! Oh wow!

The first time I ever came across the words Rotaract and Rotary was during one of our small career events in high school, at Naivasha girls. They talked to us about Rotary and its works, told us how to join, where they meet and at what time. They answered all our questions but my mind was too far away. I think I was wondering when these people would finish so that I could back to class and get done with my assignments.

I thought it was a cult, but if someone tells me that today I’ll tell them to check their facts.

Deuxième fois: “Which clubs would you like to join?” Being a ‘focused student’ I didn’t want to fill this particular question with just any answer. As I said then, ‘The clubs in university are not the same as those in high school,’ so I did my research and fell in love with Rotaract and two other clubs, and filled the blank space with contentment. Why did I fall in love Rotaract?

Community Service captured my heart. Plus, the fact that the club had an active social media presence, not to say that I really liked social media, was just enough to lure me in.

Mara ya tatu: I can’t recall what day it was, but it was the first week of admission to university in 2017. I saw the Rotaract banner and guys wearing the Rotaract reflector jackets. I was like, “oh yes, this is a sign!” So, I convinced my friend that we should go check out their booth. Did I go? No. My friend offered four times to take me, but I just wasn’t confident enough. I walked away.

We (my friends and I) were in this long line awaiting our turn to pay for our meal (supper). I can’t really remember who saw the Rotaract poster (ROTARACT 101) but let’s just say I’m the one who saw it, and we decided to go check it out since we had nothing better to do. After we finished our meal, we went but were afraid to enter. But Gabriel (Hey Gabriel!) was so welcoming that we did. I loooved the meeting, especially the S.A.A (Sergeant at Arms) time. I still do. To me it’s the climax - closure of a fellowship with laughter.

I came back to the meetings and participated in the activities they had. I felt at home, but not quite there 34

PART 1 - MONICA WANJIRU

yet. I can’t remember every detail of my first mother club meeting, but these words I do remember came out of a shy, nervous girl’s mouth at the end of her introduction, “I can’t wait to be inducted.” Yes! Induction!

That’s what was missing!

To become a member, officially recognized, from what I knew then, was what I longed for. It came, was good and memorable.

Did you know? Rotary international doesn’t recognize you as a member if your information is not keyed in their database.

Was it fate? I feel like saying I love youuuu fate even though I’m not even sure it was fate!

For the last few years, I have been hesitant to add the word Rotaractor before my name. To read ROTARACTOR MONICA. It felt awkward, but the truth is I was afraid that people would be like ‘what has she done to deserve that title?’ You know, compared to the greats who have accomplished a lot and say it with swagger. At some point, I didn’t feel like putting my lapel pin on unless it was Monday because I didn’t want to be fined. “What changed your wild mentality?” one may ask.

I remembered the experiences of events, projects and Rotaract meetings. That made me happy, and still does. Here are a few memorable moments.

My First Sunshine Rally, 2019.

I had purposed to attend and sickness wasn’t going to stop me. I can’t remember the school I was assigned to, but I remember talking to the sweetest little girl, and her persuading me to take her to the bouncing castle despite being afraid she’d get hurt. Her bones were fragile. She had her friend though, who helped navigate her way through the bouncing castle. Watching her smile and laugh as she slid down the bouncing castle several times made me feel good. She was so energetic and full of life. Oh, you wouldn’t believe it but she challenged my friends to a dance battle which was sooo fun to watch and engage my two left feet.

These memorable moments and many others from that day made me forget I was sick at some point. ‘’Hey Christina, I’m Monica and I love your work,’’ a shy and very nervous girl said.

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Hello, Hope your keeping safe and healthy. During this quarantine lets make some soft, tasty maandazi and chilled pineapple juice.

Quarantine maandazi recipe

Quarantine pineapple juice recipe

Ingredients

Ingredients

1kg all purpose flour

1 peeled pineapple

1/2 cup melted Margarine

A small piece of ginger

2 tablespoons of Orange zest/ lemon/ cinnamon

1 lemon

4 Eggs

1/4 cup of sugar

1/2 cup Milk 1/4 cup Sugar

Procedure

4 tablespoons Baking powder

• In a blender add pineapple, ginger, lemon juice and blend everything very well

Procedure • Sieve flour with baking powder together • Add lemon zest and sugar to the flour mixture • Mix well using your hands

• Then sieve the juice and add sugar • If pineapple is not sweet and mix very well to taste • Put it in the fridge, serve when cold

• Make a well add the melted Margarine and eggs Enjoy! and combine to get a soft dough • Cover with a cling film or clean kitchen cloth and leave for 30min • Roll out and cut into desired shapes • Heat oil in a pan and deep fry • Serve it while hot or cold

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Rotaract Club of Bahari

part 2 Rotary Day at the UN – Nairobi, 2019.

I was so pumped for this day. The major reason: I was going to meet Christina Hassan, one of the Rotary honorees, who majored in public health. She started a non-profit organization called Full Soul Canada to help improve maternal health in Uganda. Did I talk to her? Yes, I did, but trust me it took me a lot of courage. Originally, I had planned to approach her with my friend (read appointed spokes lady) who was busy interacting with a journalist and forgot about our arrangement.

“It is now or never, Monica.” The event was over.

I rehearsed in my head what I was to tell her then walked in her direction singing my rehearsed lines. I was so nervous that I forgot my lines. I can’t remember what she said but I remember her smiling.

Becoming the Twitter Manager (2018-2019) of our club was a very honorable moment for me. I used to brag to my friends I’m the Kat (Kat from the bold Type) of our club. The funny thing is when I volunteered to take that post, I had never interacted with Twitter and, I am too wordy. (editor says, “Whaaaat? Noooooo”) I loved the challenge. The fact that I had an amazing director, Isaac, and the PR team to help made the experience amazing (sharing Rotaract to the world).

My first RAC JKUAT Karaoke Event didn’t go well. Why? Let’s just say fear got the best of me and made a bad friend. (Well, not bad, at least I sang along with her but I was seated and she was standing.) My second karaoke experience was the best because I sang. I was afraid, yes, but my hyperactive side won. Karaoke is for everyone. If you have never done karaoke, do it please. I know you sing along to your favorite songs.

Trust me it feels great.

There are many other memorable moments that have made me grow in many ways. Rotaract has taught me new skills (painting, rolling chapatis, planting sukumawiki and spinach and many more)/ It has proven to me you can have fun in service; and you can indeed have a familiar bond with new people you just met.

Shout out to RAC Nairobi Parkland and UON. The quiz night was lit.

New or old Rotaractors, here is a note to you.

The moment you decided to join Rotaract and be part of the good deeds, you deserve to call yourself a Rotaractor. CHOICE + SMALL DEEDS equals RIPPLE EFFECTS. Every Rotaractor in you club, area, country, district, zone doing the same thing as many times as they can equal and BIG WAVE, and that my friends is change.

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The Newly Born bouncing baby President 2019-2020, Rotaract Club of Ngong’ Hills.

Imagine being a young person who is elevated to the level of having an international platform where you can have fun, make friends and learn about cultures of other young people from all over the world.

Imagine being able to exercise self-discipline and leadership in school, and in the community when you are as young as twelve years. Imagine being able to participate in various community activities such as cleaning, giving food, planting flowers and much more, and documenting the various activities. Above all, imagine doing all these in a well-structured manner when you are young, before you are encumbered by adult responsibilities. Well, this is what Interact entails. Lucky are those who embrace it.

It should be remembered that interact began 58 years ago, in 1962, 6 years before Rotaract was founded.

It was later overtaken by Rotaract in terms of vibrancy and spreading throughout the world. Though this happened, the former has picked up speed thanks to the available knowledge, energy and passion of the latter, and the recent elevation of Rotaract to be equal partners with Rotary clubs in 2019. The Rotaract Club of Ngong Hills, which I am currently serving as president has been able to help its mother club form two Interact Clubs in the past. This was while Rotaract was a program of Rotary. These clubs are the Interact Clubs of Calvary Baptist Academy and Huruma Children’s home. Now, for the first time since the elevation, the Rotaract Club of Ngong Hills and the Rotary Club of Ngong Hills have been able to identify two schools in the community and has started the journey to forming Interact clubs in these schools. These are the Interact Clubs of Kenswed and Joram GM (in formation). Dates were set for the separate charters 38

THE NEWLY BORN BOUNCING BABY - JEJO MAPACHA JOAQUIM

beginning with Kenswed then Joram GM but had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak).

greater heights.

So, for the first time, RAC Ngong Hills was able to charter an Interact Club jointly with its mother club, RC Ngong Hills. This went down on the 27th of February 2020, at Kibiku where the Interact Club of Kenswed Secondary was birthed in a colourful charter ceremony, and with it came young and energetic Interactors. Their president, Franklin Ngashu, was applauded by Rotarians, Rotaractors, visitors, teachers and students as he received the official instruments of power which were a chain, bell, wooden gavel and a lapel pin for identity.

He, together with his board, was charged with spearheading the newly formed club to reach

The program went on swiftly with yours truly as the master of ceremony. One after another, speeches and motivational anecdotes were given by presidents, past presidents, patrons and the headteacher. There was entertainment too presented by the school students. At one time, there was panic due to the delayed arrival of the guest of honour, Rtn Gideon Akwabi, who was supposed to conduct the charter ceremony.

If you think that Ngong’ Town is far from Nairobi Town, think again. The distance from Ngong’ Town to Kibiku, where Kenswed is, will put things in perspective. Mr Akwabi is the District 9212 Interact Chair, in charge of all Interact Clubs in Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Eritrea, and it was his first time in Kibiku.

He did not get lost, thanks to Google Maps. He arrived safely, accompanied by Rotaract District Interact Chair, Rtr Anette Wangari, and conducted the charter and induction ceremonies accordingly.

During his speech, he thanked our mother club together with our club for being able to form Kenswed Interact Club, and saluted us saying that it was not easy to succeed in establishing a club such a remote area. This is true because it takes more than commitment for one to equip the young generation.

Rotary Club of Ngong’ Hills President, Mr Martin Miriti and I made our final remarks. Mr Miriti challenged the Interact President, his board and members to strive to be active and vibrant. I urged them to maximize their time as Interactors so that when they graduate from school, they may be be efficient Rotaractors because the future of Rotaract is Interact. The ceremony was brought to a close with a vote of thanks and a toast from President Franklin. Photography and snacks followed. How good it felt to be able to charter a club as Rotaract. The fruits of elevation as an equal partner at the Rotary table can only be explained by bold actions such as this one.

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JOURNEY

My first recollection of Rotary is from my high school years, when I read an article about the Rotary Club of Nairobi in one of the local dailies. The story stuck with me for a while as I was impressed by the work that the club was doing. I made up my mind to join the club some day and left it at that. I did not know that Rotary was a global organization, or that there were many Rotary clubs in Kenya. I had no idea about Rotaract or Interact. Fast forward to 2016. While participating in a leadership fellowship in Nairobi, one of my colleagues was invited to speak at the Rotaract Club of Kenyatta University. He asked some of us to accompany him to the meeting, which we did, and I learnt that there were many clubs within Nairobi. I made a mental note to research on clubs present in Nairobi, but it would be another year before I finally got around to it.

In 2017, one of my former primary school classmates posted about her Rotaract club meeting in our alumni WhatsApp group. I attended the meeting and eventually the club’s installation party. The club members were very warm and welcoming, which made the experience memorable for me. Throughout the installation weekend I learnt more about the amazing work that the club and other clubs were doing. After that weekend, I decided to visit two other clubs before settling on a club that I wanted to join. Two months later, I walked into a meeting of the Rotaract Club of Muthaiga and found my home. I remember the club had invited a guest speaker who cancelled at the last minute and the board members quickly re-organized the meeting into a game night. The meeting was very interactive, and everyone had a good time. After the meeting, the club service committee held a session with the guests and got to know us better while explain what the club was about and what projects they were working on. All the club members were warm and friendly, which made it easy for me to keep going back.

One of the aspects of Rotaract that interested me the most was the community service work that the club was involved in. This has always been something that I have been passionate about, but which had taken a back seat once I got employed. So, it was exciting to have a platform to engage in something that I loved dearly. I ended up joining the community service committee and later served as the community service director. This period was one of my most memorable in Rotaract because it challenged me to go beyond my comfort zone. I developed my leadership, project management and team-work skills and learnt virtues 40

JOURNEY - MILLIE MAINA

such as patience, resilience and persistence. My lowest moment was when I organized my first meeting, and nobody showed up. Many thoughts ran through my mind and I even contemplated resigning from the post. However, I decided to push through and slowly I was able to build an amazing team that went on to implement successful projects. I was lucky enough to work with a team of six amazing, brilliant, dedicated and disciplined individuals who taught me the power of teamwork and sticking it out even when things do not go as expected.

Rotaract has allowed me to access opportunities both directly and indirectly.

While interviewing for the organization for which I currently work in, I leveraged my experience leading a committee in Rotaract to stand out from my peers.

I also leveraged this experience to successfully apply for several fellowships. Personally, I have made meaningful friendships with Rotaractors and Rotarians within my club and beyond, and made memories along the way. Whether it’s a social after a meeting, a home hospitality, bowling, game night, movie night or other social activity, there is never a dull moment when Rotaractors are involved. Learning from the experiences of guest speakers or fellow Rotaractors and Rotarians has shaped me professionally and contributed to my decision to finally commence my business this year. I also gained a mentor along the way, who has been instrumental in helping me to think about how to position my business.

In conclusion, there are many things I could write about my Rotaract experience. What I highlighted was just the tip of the iceberg. Being a Rotaractor requires a lot of sacrifice but the benefits both personally and professionally are immense. One of the main lessons I have learnt is that Rotaract offers you opportunities to prove yourself at a very young age, which is not possible in most workplaces. You can then leverage these experiences to move up the corporate ladder faster or to successfully run your business. However, it is only through active engagement that you can benefit.

Rotaract Club of Muthaiga 41

The Green run When we started the online campaign to publicize the Green Run 2020, I posted the poster on my WhatsApp status and immediately got several DMs from skeptics asking me whether I could run. My legs, apparently, don’t look as toned as Kipchoge’s. I wondered how easy it was for people to miss the point. ‘We are running for the environment, people! Focus!’

However, on the D-day, I was surprised to see Rotaractors rise to the occasion by showing up on time (kindof), appropriately dressed and set for the run in Karura Forest. Rtr. Mwenebatu set the ball rolling with a few warm-up exercises to prepare us for the 2km and 5km track ahead of us. A few of us were excited at the beginning of the run. For the first 200m, you’d think I was the pacesetter. This lasted for a solid three and a half minutes before the ‘real deals’ quickly overtook me. You know those people who live by the phrase ‘I run for fun.’ And yes, the skeptics were right, I can’t run to save my life.

My fewer than 15 minutes of fame were quickly fading when Rtr. Lan from the Rotaract Club of the University of Machakos in-formation started quizzing me about the run. He wanted to understand what the run was all about. Part of the annual agenda of the Green Rotaract D9212 for the year 2019 - 2020, included planting 10,000 trees. The Green Run was one of the fundraising tools for this optimistic goal. Luckily for us and the planet, Rotaractors have been on a roll this Rotary year. As of March 2020, District 9212 had planted 9,000

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THE GREEN RUN - WINNIE LIMO

trees with the help of about 300 volunteers from different clubs who had put in over 1500 hours and a lot of effort to better the environment. This included the undying efforts of Green Rotaract-Ethiopia spearheaded by their Green Rotaract Country Chair, Yared Tesema. Targeting primary and secondary schools, they put tremendous effort into their tree-planting and awareness creation projects dubbed ‘How to Recycle and Plant Your Own Fruit Tree’ as well as their vermicomposting initiative.

From the Green Run, we raised Ksh. 12,500 which will facilitate planting more trees than we had anticipated.

All thanks to the Rotaractors and Guests in attendance, Seedballs Kenya and the King David Hospital Ambulance.

It is encouraging and promising to see young people heed the call to assist the earth to heal her wounds and, in the process, heal their own.

This is a journey that one cannot walk alone. It needs teamwork because when you do it alone you run the risk of having it fail when you are no longer there.

District Secretary 2019-2020, Green Rotaract Concept, D9212.

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I am a black man born black

Some snail-walked

An African with talents untold

Others cat-walked

With achievements that unfold

But boldly for mother Earth

And tell the world how bold

An endeavor for green nature

A Kenyan talent is real gold

For nurture compliments nature And mature trees will shade us from danger

The very forests

Our catchments protected for later

Some think we live in

A posterity in green shades

Are the treasure chests

Let the leaves naturally be shed

Our lives depend on

And for sustainable development Our running talent will always seek the green run

Thus we ran Green we ran, but for a known cause

And to run green.

Down Karura’s running course As though it was house chores

Rotaract Club of Muthaiga

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Our Club’s growth

Charter President, Rotaract Club of Kitale.

As Rotarians and Rotaractors, we join Rotary to make a difference and connect with others in our communities.

We’ve got a strong circle of young, energetic women and men, which is the basis of a beautiful friendship formed amongst ourselves and beyond our club. This is a great source of pride for us as a club, and our main achievement as the Rotaract Club of Kitale: Creating better friendships!

Rotaract has provided opportunities to grow as individuals and as a group. Partnering with the Rotary Club of Kitale, our mother club, and other clubs in the Western Region has offered immense opportunities to learn, plan, organize and conduct various community service projects such as water projects, the anti jigger project and refurbishing a home for the disabled. Through these, we have had experiences that have grown our leadership, communication, performance and networking skills. There is a measurable personal and professional growth.It has been an incredible journey for us as a club. We appreciate and support the sparkling and contagious positive energy that every single member brings.

With the leadership of our second President, Rtr. Truphosa Chebet and her board, our club growth potential has been realized and tested. We learn through every step we make, whether it succeeds or fails, and are glad that we get to celebrate every single milestone in creative, memorable ways that in turn keep us motivated to do better and get bigger.

THE ROTARACT KITALE WAY! 45

Rotaract Club of Fanos In Formation The Rotaract club of Fanos is a visionary club cofounded by medical students and has majority of its members from medical schools of Ethiopia. It aspires to be the beacon of hope for the generation of today and the generation to follow by finding solutions to pressing challenges that face our society. Whether it is through creating health awareness or fighting against addiction, the club strives for excellence and reaps profit from witnessing healthier society.

In 1948, the World Health Organization defined health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The Rotaract club of Fanos lives by this principle.

It addresses health with regard to mental well-being in its upcoming projects on fighting addiction and Mutual Aid. The Mutual Aid project focuses on helping one another, be it through support groups or mentor-mentee relationships. The target groups for this project are cancer patients, substance abusers and university applicants. It aims to relieve the psychological stress they go through and ease their worries by leaning on one another.

The club also shines a light on social well-being through the “pass it on” project. This project highlights the importance of passing down wisdom and knowledge to others, and with this in mind we have come up with a medical guide book publication, book club formation in high schools and book donations to juvenile centres and paediatric wards in hospitals. The project’s target group are the youth of today, sick children and medical students. It hopes to allow for the society to rediscover the beauty of books and relish in the amazing human beings it will allow us to become.

In addition, the club emphasizes on the physical aspect of health through project Dewl. This astounding project plans to be a ringing bell to our society and remind them to look after themselves. It is currently working on maternal health and monthly health awareness in accordance to the health calendar prepared by the club. It is also devising a mobile application to let women get as much health information as possible at pre-pregnancy, during and post pregnancy.

Leo Rosten once said “the purpose of life is not to be happy — but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you have lived at all.” The members of our club plan on doing just that. Our club hopes to create positive impact for society and in return leave an impactful legacy for others to follow.

The Rotaract Club of Fanos – In Formation – has been organized by medical students at the Black Lion Hospital Medical School, Addis Ababa.

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RAC Malindi's favourite places NIGHT LIFE l FERMENTO: known to be a favourite for celebrities like Naomi Campbell l MABESHTE: for karaoke, nyama choma and wet meat/ chicken fry with cooked maize meal, locally known as ‘ugali’, best served with a bottle of our national beer ‘Tusker’

FOOD l SIMBA DISHES: for Swahili cuisine lovers with a good appetite

l BILLIONAIRES GRILL & BAR: beautiful restaurant and excellent service for days you’d like to wine and dine.

TOURIST SITES l Our golden beaches l Vasco Dagama Pillar l Portuguese Chapel l Malindi Pier l Gede Ruins l Watamu to enjoy white sandy beaches

l COASTAL DISHES: known for their Swahili sauces served with maru bhajia and the grilled chicken tikka

l The Falconry if you love birds

l SWEETTOOTH HAVENS: Cake House; Milkshakes and cakes

l Marafa Hells Kitchen, which has interesting mythology of how the place came to be, for geology and folklore lovers

l OSTERIA: for Italian food lovers from traditional meals like lasagne to sea food and legit gelato made from scratch l OLD MAN & THE SEA: named after Ernest Hemingways novel, known for its sea food, wines and cocktails among others such as a sold ‘dawa’. A cosy and quaint atmosphere to wine and dine and also dubbed a lovers’ haven

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l Crocodile Farm l Robinson Island

SOUVENIRS l Al Shakir l Watoto Kenya

I’ll be plain.

It took me a mind-blowing experience to learn that autism is really misunderstood, and potentially underestimated among human conditions.

I sat there, with a parent to an autistic child in my class. As a teacher, you would obviously throw in some compliments and say “all is well,” and “she’s good in class.”

I assumed that what I saw in class was what was seen at home but what you and I don’t know is that these parents know no sleep at night and no peace at dawn. A strong woman like her broke down in tears. All you or I could do was offer some tissue and maybe a hug.

I understand pain when I see it.

These children tend to keep it together in school and in public, but have meltdowns at home. And if you ever get to witness one of those without the right knowledge, you will think it’s a disciplinary problem, or an indication of bad parenting.

My concern is for the plight of those kids, their mothers and fathers.

What has been done to support them in terms of access to diagnosis, resources and information?

What can I do about it? What can you do about it?

You feel me?!

Rotaract Club of Kitale

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Should I be allowed to take some space?

Should it be deemed fit for me to deserve a break?

Should I not dictate when enough is enough?

Should I not be allowed to remind you not to take things for granted?

I have long allowed you to let me waste away I have turned the other cheek as you took what I gave willingly and made a complete and utter mess of it I have watched you take the small, precious moments for granted Thinking they are going to last forever I too have feelings I have a mind of my own I have a vision I envisioned for myself Should I sit back and let everything I worked hard to achieve go up in flames?

Would you?

written by

Rotaract Club of Westlands

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It’s often easy to find excuses. I can’t do this thing, I have never done it before, et cetera. It’s like the fear of riding a bicycle for the first time, and you’re worried that you might fall and get hurt. This is the fear of the unknown. As humans we often find reasons why we can’t as opposed to why we can. But sometimes it takes one person to make you believe in yourself. Here’s my Rotaract self-belief story.

I was young and naive. The kind of people who don’t speak until they’re picked or forced to and here came a club where every Monday, I had to stand, salute the crowd and tell them something. It felt weird, it felt like I was trying to fit in an uncomfortable environment, but I had made the decision that once I was here, there’d be no turning back.

After a few months of attending meetings, someone believed that I was capable of serving on the board and they shouted out my name during nominations and before I knew it, I was the PLD (Professional and Leadership Development) director! This happened fast, and was totally unexpected.

A few years later, I served as vice-president, and this opened doors of opportunity for me to serve in other leadership roles that I never thought I ever could in or out of Rotaract. To me, Rotaract was my first step to self-belief, personal and professional growth, moving from a fixed mind-set to a growth mind-set, learning new skills, going through stretching experiences and connecting with amazing personalities.

I was lucky, if not blessed, to find people who believed in me and who gave me the opportunity to unlock my hidden potential. Rotaract has taught me to see opportunities rather than obligations.

You and I are capable of doing more than we think we can. Challenge yourself to do that which feels uncomfortable, because in most cases that’s where growth lies. Surround yourself with people who challenge you to be better, people who believe in you more than you believe in yourself, and people who support you in the journey of personal development. As well, be willing to grow and do your best.

To all Rotaractors and friends, I hope that this platform brings out the potential in you to be a better version of yourself, and aim to do that which seems impossible, because you can actually do it!

Shout outs to all alumni and members of RAC JKUAT! Long live the spirit of personal, professional and leadership development.

Rotaract Club of JKUAT 53

Pioneer

free legal camp President 2019-2020, Rotaract Club of Ngong’Hills.

It is seven in the morning. The weather in Ngong’ town is as cold as expected on the foothills of the windward side of the picturesque Ngong’ Hills, with its dense green vegetation. I alight at the modern Ngong’ bus stage and start to walk towards Milele Mall as I greet and invite those who I meet on the way to the important function taking place today.

I used the Gate B entrance and join the first people to be inspected by the security personnel who do satisfactory service. With this, I am assured of security for the guests and visitors who will attend the event, a free legal camp. It is the first of its kind in Rotary District 9212, and is is jointly organised by the Rotary Club of Ngong’ Hills and my club, the Rotaract Club of Ngong’ Hills on this 25th day of January 2020.

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On a normal day, the grounds would be open, with people walking in and out on foot, but on this special day, white tents fill my field of view, depicting the purpose of the legal camp, which is to offer advice and solutions to persons in the community on various legal matters like divorce, inheritance, crime, education, human rights, among others. I think that I am the first one to arrive, but no, my able secretary has beat me to it. She and the professional team who are helping in setting up the chairs and tables have been here a while. I am not surprised by her efficiency. I join in immediately to help as I make calls. As a leader, I am proud of how the event is unfolding. My International Service Director has been on

PIONEER FREE LEGAL CAMP - JEJO MAPACHA JOAQUIM

the ground for the whole week to ensure that everything goes according to plan.

with one of the newest Rotary Clubs in town, RC Ongata Rongai East.

In previous years, there have always been camps that deal with medical issues like optical, dental and cancer screening, but there has never been a legal camp in the whole of Kenya, the District and the region. Our club had a medical camp for street children in 2017/18 where we treated over 800 street families.

It was a joint medical camp with the Rotary Club of Ongata Rongai and others at the Ngong Sub-County hospital in 2018/19, where tooth extractions and eye surgeries were done. There is also an upcoming free medical camp

The absence of a legal clinic is what inspired RC Ngong Hills President, Mr. Martin Miriti, together with me and our boards of directors to come up with and implement the idea. So, we came up with a committee and drew a detailed plan, reached out to lawyers, in and out of Rotary, who readily agreed to offer their legal expertise for free on this day. They were experienced at their work, with many years of practising law.

These included Assistant Governor Gilda Odera who was the Guest of Honour, and Miss Irene Waweru.

Everything is ready by 8.30 am, and the event is officially opened at 9.00 am by AG Gilda in the presence of Club Presidents, lawyers, officials and members who have come to volunteer.

One by one, members of the community come in with different issues that needed interpretation. The Rotaractors were also not left behind in ensuring that everything works well by registering and directing the visitors and residents to the appropriate desks. Those who are being attended to have come from various parts of Kajiado North Constituency in Kajiado County, namely Ongata Rongai, Nkaimurunya, Olkeri and Oloolua wards. They come in small numbers but over a long spread of time until evening so there are no long queues. Due to the long sittings, the lawyers work in shifts.

By evening, the number of those who have received legal services is below 100, a considerable figure given it is a legal camp and the law requires a lot of time to be interpreted especially to those who are not in that field. Food is served to all those who volunteer, and even the casual workers and security team. We eat to our satisfaction.

The legal camp comes to an end at 5 pm as the final speeches and vote of thanks are given and is followed by a photo session. As they say, “If it was not documented, it never happened.” It is time for the curtains to be closed. As I bid the guests farewell, I am filled with happiness. My club members and those of my mother club are extremely happy. What had never happened before has now taken place. It is momentous! We cannot believe it. It takes us some time to accept the reality that we have made history. It feels fulfilling to have served the community in this manner.

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WOULDN’T IT

JUST A LITTLE

Ears of the world on me

Is it so wrong?

Wouldn’t it be beautiful

That I still don’t know my heart?

To hear it all?

On some days The chirping of birds

I want a champion boy

In the middle of a cold lonely night

To win my heart over aggressively

The hearts of the helpless

To take charge of my body and soul every how

In the middle of a heartbreak

To joyfully throw me around everywhere

The final breaths of sick people

To give me the kind of love

On the verge of death

That makes me feel like a Barbie doll.

The waves of the ocean In the middle of a nervous breakdown

On other days

The conflicted thoughts of strangers

I want a simple boy

In the middle of a supermarket queue

To hold my heart in a glass jar

The arguments in my mind

To introduce me to a tender kind of love

In the middle of another one of these

To hold me down forever and for always

damn breakdowns

To give me the kind of love That calls for a happily ever after.

Wouldn’t it?

No? Okay.

But on most days

#Disturbed

I’d just like for somebody To put a little love on me #Disturbed

Rotaract Club of Lang’ata

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CAMPING IN THE WILDerness

Photos from the Rotaract Club of Lang’ata’s camping escapade at Kereita Forest

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I live on the streets

Please feed my belly

Because I lack better treats

I need health check ups too

The city officers treat me so ill

I live there due to death tricks

I call the streets home but its hell

Which put mum and dad in I am not a dirty kid caskets!

I am neither fool nor dog

I need bread and clothes too

I am not a thief!

And I beg for your belief May you come to my relief Please stop the greed and grief I want to school too My belly needs food!

A place to sleep or read Not a roofless cold floor I tire of mosquito bites

There’s no one to wash me or care The kid I got out of rape!

Where I can get better dresses I am only a teenage girl But my face looks pale and old

He is not a goat. He wants to be a doctor!

I call for all with humanity to visit me

My fellow hopeless kids rape me Thanks to the Rotaract Club for everyday their food and clothes My parents’ demise torments Thank you for that coin you gave everyday! me Who will come to my rescue?

Thanks for the clothes you gave me

Don’t look down upon me

Your help counts in my life

For I am like your kids The noisy vehicles and the cutting cold I want a home to live in I am afraid of ignorant city people! To go to school and become President

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Please. I want a future for my kid

Rotaract Club of MMUST

But to help me Take me out of the streets!

Weather This Quarantine

What does quarantine mean to you? There is so much uncertainty, anxiety and worry with regard to COVID-19. Not much is within our power other than prevention through social distancing, washing our hands and wearing a mask. How do you intend to weather this period because we cannot seem to cuss it out? Well, personally, Bob Marley’s wise words have been keeping me calm. “Don’t worry ‘bout a thing, cause every little thing’s gonna be alright”.

This got me thinking on ways to best kill time while social distancing. Maybe you are with your family or stuck in your rental alone and don’t even know what day of the week it is. I mean, during these unknown times, there is not much to do and it is best to stay indoors as WHO advised. To extroverts it’s an aaargh period!!! Moments like these, they dread because they do not know how to spend time in solitude or still.

Well, here is a challenge for us all, introverts and extroverts alike. Let us celebrate the greatest love we should practice. No, it is not love for God or your parents or your friends. I am talking of the love of self.

Make this period about loving yourself. Besides, you cannot love others until you truly love yourself. It does not matter if you are holed up alone or in a ‘mad house’ and cannot seem to find a minute to be alone.

Practice self-love, and not just feeling happy and satisfied, and treating yourself well, but radically, headto-toe adoring and celebrating everything that you are! Practice the type of self love that sweeps you off your feet, turns your world upside down and feels good deep down in your very cells. The type that shakes things up, moves out the junk out, and harnesses the innate power you possess when you totally and completely love. You may view self-love in the same light as being conceited or self-centered, and it can be, but I am talking about the kind of self-love that means respect for yourself, harmony with yourself, and a genuine appreciation for who you are.

Though self-love is not something that you wake up with one morning, it can be cultivated and should be defended when is challenged. Self-love is acceptance of your failings and flaws while embracing your talents and beauty. Self-love is taking care of your health, paying attention to your emotions and being truly present in your relationships. Self-love is an understanding of what you deserve as a human being and, indeed, what you do not deserve. Self-love is living your life like you want to be remembered, and doing the best you can, knowing that some days you can give your absolute best and some days you can only give a little.

Let us not think about love in terms of what we are getting from others and what we are giving to others.

Instead, let us consider what are we giving to ourselves in terms of the choices that we make, the way in which we live our lives, and even the people we choose to surround ourselves with – the people we choose to love. And once this quarantine has passed, let us keep self-love in the right perspective and not get caught up in all the things that might make us question that we aren’t who we are supposed to be. I hope you will just take this as a reminder that you are loved and that you can and should be loved by you.

Once all is said and done, remember those who are in the forefront fighting this pandemic. If you would like to know how it feels to be them, imagine being part of the band that continued to play as the Titanic was sinking. But the Titanic we are not. And in the words of Sauti Sol, “..I’m certain brighter days are yet to come, ain’t no question that tomorrow there’ll be good times..”

Rotaract Club of Muthaiga

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The first time I shot my shot

I only believe in true love

I was just a naïve boy

And that is where I belong”

Looking to score

So, the second time I shot my shot

She laughed, and said

She just didn’t love me

“So much could go wrong

But also had a husband and all

Too much risk involved But again, isn’t that what makes it worth it all?

The last time I shot my shot

Oh, deeper, I want to go

I was too tired of rejection

And it was her I wanted more and more

But it was her that made the impression

I was on a pedestal

And her I intended to take home

Supported by love and arrogance

So I asked her out

The worst combination!

Picked her by her door

So, the first time I shot my shot

Had a meal

She just didn’t love me

Some whiskey on the rocks

But also had a boyfriend and all

Heard all her thoughts She said

The second time I shot my shot

“I am impressed

I had made my money

I just wish I could offer more

And I wasn’t as broke as I was before

But now I have kids, and they come before anyone”

And so I thought

So, the last time I shot my shot

Go win her heart with gold

She did love me,

But she was golden and could not be bought

But she had her humans she loved now, and forever more!

She said “Take your money and go

(Kefa Odindo) Rotaract Club of Lang’ata 62

Service above self It’s not for money It’s not for fame It’s not for any personal gain It’s to put a smile on a sad face It’s to make the world of another person beautiful It’s to bring a change to the community It’s to give a helping hand We believe service to others is service to God The reward is in our hearts The willingness to give back It’s a feeling that we’ve been a part Of helping others, far and near Changing a life, changing the society And this makes us zealous Rotaractors We believe service to others is service to God

Rotaract Club of Chuka University My name is Ndirangu Robert Mwariri, 22 years old and currently staying at Nairobi. I am a student at Chuka University and during this learning period I had the opportunity to join a club called Peace Ambassador Kenya (PAK). Due to partnership between different clubs on campus I made a strong bond with members of the Rotaract club and became a member. My main interest in joining this club was giving back to society. This photo is from the event at Kairuni, for special and disabled children. It was a very memorable event.

Rotaract Club of Chuka University

Pencil Art by Agunyo Bill Ongete Rotaract Club of Chuka University

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This is a different kind of story. It’s a story of friendship, kindness, looking out for others and making them the center. I call it a story of love. A Rotaract story.

I am a year old now in Rotaract and my experience has been amazing. A few months into the Rotaract Club of Masinde Muliro University (MMUST), I was appointed a leader for the first time, of people in service. Well I took it lightly at first but later came to ask myself, “why me?� I have had esteem issues all my life, always feeling like I was not as good as other people, but these people, not knowing me or my past nominated me. Wow. I loved kids, and my heart always broke when I saw people suffer, but I had never had a platform or support system to help me work on supporting such people in the community. Finding this new family with the same vision enabled me to help.

Life has felt complete since then, visiting children in orphanages, planting trees, anti-jigger campaigns, blood donations, and more have taught me that I do not have to have a billion dollars to lend a hand. I just need a willing heart and a good team like the one I have found.

There is one particular project that has me thrilled. It is a partnership with the Rotaract Club of Nairobi Central called Elimu Magerezani (Education in Prison) Every time I got to attend; it gave me the push to be more compassionate. It gives kids who have done wrong and broken the law a chance to rewrite their stories and correct their mistakes. That has not ceased to fascinate me.

Every time I get to organize, bring funds together, seek partnership and actually make a project come to life in order to support someone, I believe more and more that life has given me a second chance at meaning and compassion.

I am grateful to my Rotaract club for giving me the chance to live life fully. Sometimes I wonder where it has been my whole life. The bottom line is, I have finally found love and another family. I plan to be around for a lifetime.

Rotaract Club of MMUST

Ero, Mr. Waru

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Jambo, Mr. Ole Nkasiogi.

Why are you in such a hurry?

Afrocity - submitted by the Rotaract Club of Kitengela

I am trying to beat the curfew.

I had to take my milk to the market.

How is business CONTINUED there?

ON PG 61

?

WHAT IF YOU TAKE CHARGE Rotaract Club of MMU

I once believed in ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ but now it just feels like the Judas kiss. Betraying a part of me I play in this s****y existence, thinking that it would give me some sort of independence.

I feel entrapped in this millennial era, where every decision made is through trial and error. I feel trapped in an uncertain prison of the mind, Schrödinger’s cat trying to claw myself out only to end up drowning in all the insecurities, uncertainties and pretty little fears. Wondering how can I survive with this mentality.

Maybe I’m thinking too much out loud. I should bang my head against the wall and just let it all get out.

What if I stay in the box, put on a poker face and gamble away my freedom of expression, and give in to my tension? But joke’s on them. It was a bluff all along. I’ve had enough and now it’s time to take charge, take back the badge of honour from the hypocrites, get rid of the ever persona grata, stop playing favourites and address the real matter – Fear. Fear to tear the fabric of our ill cultures, fear of taking on new adventures, fear of all your fears coming true, fear that your plans will never go through. I could go on and on but it all boils down to fear of the unknown. Like the seer from Vikings said, “I am afraid I know that what I do not know is the only thing that I really know…” Well, nobody knows what the future holds, we should just keep up as life unfolds. https://franciskalama.wordpress.com

I hea gene r this ra our c tion of callin hildren g it R ona.

e the Sinc ent told rnm ay gove ple to st s, peo ir home n e e at th ss has be g. in ne busi -perform r Y unde BAD, M S IS IT I D. IT N E I FR AD. B

But do you know what Mr. Nkasiogi?

Tell me Mr. Waru...

You know you can actually sell milk online & let your customers know you will deliver to their homes...just going to deliver my potatoes.

Haiya! You don’t say!

CONTINUED ON PG 70

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ZUMBA

and Tree Planting Rotaract Club of Ngong’ Hills On the 29th of February 2020, the Rotaract Club of Ngong’ Hills held a Zumba extravaganza at Joram G.M Academy, located in the heart of Ngong’ Town. The school is well tucked between beautiful coniferous trees and the majestic Ngong’ Hills that can be seen all the way from the capital.

This activity was a result of meticulous planning by the Intergeneration Director of the Rotary Club of Ngong’ Hills, Rotarian Francis Gichuhi, the International Services Director of the Rotaract Club of Ngong Hills, Cedric Mwenebatu, the Patron of the Interact Club of Joram G.M Academy, and the Interact Club President.

Before I delve into the nitty-gritties of what went down during Zumba, let me tell you a little about the dance. It’s a fitness program created by Colombian dancer and choreographer Alberto “Beto” Perez during the 1990’s. It combines Latin and international music dance moves.

Since I was the one leading the Zumba, together with my entourage, we arrived around 10:30 AM and after 30 minutes of preparation, I was set to take the Interactors through one hour of exhilarating dancing. My choice in music was electrifying, and guys moved in synchronicity to the beats.

The Disc Jockey sampled a variety of genres, the likes of Genge-tone, Bongo and hip hop. One could tell the Interactors were enjoying themselves to the fullest.

Some knew how to groove to the music while others had two left feet. Time flies when one is having fun and soon the time came for us to wind up.

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ZUMBA AND TREE PLANTING - CEDRIC MWENEBATU

Before we called it a day, a vote of thanks was given by the President of the Interact Club of Joram G.M, then the Patron made brief remarks. From there on I was given the stage to say a few words. To save the best for last, our Intergeneration Director from the Rotary Club of Ngong’ Hills gave his closing speech. It was an awesome Saturday indeed and everyone looked forward to the next such activity.

There was also a tree-planting initiative on the 28th of February 2020.

This day will be stuck in my memories for a few years to come because everyone had a blast. The Interactors and I had looked forward to planting seedlings with a lot of eager anticipation, as had Rotarians from my mother club, the Rotary Club of Ngong’ Hills, who were the sponsors for the event.

At exactly 2:00 PM we got down to business after everyone had arrived at Calvary Baptist Academy in Ngong’. The participants in this event were the Interact Clubs of Calvary Baptist Academy and Huruma Children’s Home.

Scouts from Huruma Children’s Home also took part in this activity.

Rotarian Daudi Nturibi, an Educationalist by profession had donated 50 seedlings from his farm in Kerarapon to be planted in the school. The Headteacher, Mr. Duncan was really impressed by his act of generosity.

The species of trees included were Azadirachita indica (Neem tree), Aloe Vera, Peepal (a quick growing tree with heart shaped leaves and a large a large crown), Moringa Oleifera, which is also known as Drumstick Tree, and a good drought resistant tree, Acacia Nilotica.

The young Interactors were taught how to plant seedlings correctly. With the help of their respective patrons they got to know how important it is to transfer seedlings into the soil at the proper time. This, they learnt, was important for their development later on. If you plant them before they are ready, they may have a hard time surviving the elements.

The general rule of thumb is that when a seedling has three to four true leaves, it’s mature enough to plant out in the garden or wherever one might choose (after it has been hardened off).

Since there were many seedlings, each Interactor got to plant.

The Headteacher had instructed us to plant the seedlings along the school fence and in the middle of the compound. They were spaced about 2 meters apart. After about an hour and a half, every one was exhausted so we took a water break, then finished up with the remaining ones.

In no time at all we were done and I couldn’t help but notice the look of relief written on some people’s faces. There were plenty of refreshments waiting for us once the planting was over and done with. Mr Duncan had organized cold beverages and biscuits as a treat after the activity.

While we were eating and drinking, the Patron of the Interact Club of Calvary Baptist Academy gave closing remarks on the need to have more tree-planting sessions like these so as to mitigate the effects of global warming.

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Walking in a Rotaractor's shoes

Seated on my balcony, gazing at the beautiful city lights, listening to the sounds of the Nairobi - Thika highway that was a little too busy for a Friday, I almost missed the ping that indicated a message from my friend. “Hey,” said a cryptic message that on the weekend could lead to what my generation calls a lit night, with headaches and regrets ensuing when dawn comes.

Fortunately, or not, this was a message that took a different direction, and I ended up committing myself to an event that would enable me cross charity work off my resolutions for the year of 2018 the very next day.

I had heard about Rotary clubs and had a rough idea of how much charity work they did around the world.

However, I had also made a decision to join the club when I was older and earning at least a hundred thousand shillings as my net salary per month. I figured at this juncture, I would have enough money to help out and be a committed member who partook in all the activities. So, when I got an invite to see the team at work, and get a firsthand experience before I earned a dime as a professional in my country, I jumped at the idea.

The next day, Saturday, at noon, I walked out of my house armed with a liter of drinking water, chewing gum for my breath and sunglasses to shield my eyes from the sun’s rays that shone a little brighter than usual. These were the after-effects of replying to a different cryptic message received moments after I made my commitment. I got to my old neighborhood, Hunters, in Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya and made my way over to Zion’s Children’s Home, where the Rotaract Club of Kenyatta University was spending the day cleaning, cooking and putting smiles on the children’s faces.

Fashionably late and a stranger to everyone there but the Club’s President-Elect, I walked directly to the Chapati making sector and silently watched people at work in different sections of the place. One of the members engaged me in conversation when my friend left and I took this chance to find out more about the club. I learnt of the calendar of events the club kept and made yet another commitment to chase my Monday blues away in one of the conference rooms at the Kenyatta University Business Students Service Center at 6.30 pm when the club held its next weekly meeting. She also convinced me to help in making chapatis. I admit, I had no idea how to make chapatis and I could only roll a few algae shapes from the dough. This was definitely not the first impression I wanted the members to have of me. Therefore, I volunteered in a sector that I was better versed in; going to the shop to buy more charcoal.

When I got back, there was loud music blaring from one of the speakers and I knew this was the moment for me to shine. But watching the young kids show their moves and trying to keep up with them was one of the highlights of my first ever charity event with the Rotaractors. I have no idea how we were able to eat the sumptuous meal, clean the dishes afterwards and mentor the children because on this particular day, the sun was out for only 8 hours before night set in, or at least, that’s what it felt like.

When I walked out of the blue gate, I had not only found friends, but family. I had not only put a smile on someone’s face but also worn my own wide smile. And most importantly, I had learnt that charity is not about how much you have, but how much you are willing to sacrifice.

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Rotaract Club of Kenyatta University

My

haven Rotaract Club of Kenyatta University Joining Rotaract and the Rotary community is one of the decisions of which I’m most proud. It is a community where I not only found a place to belong but also a place where I could pledge to become of service to humanity and live up to that pledge. I belong in an organization that I trust will create sustainability in the livelihoods of many, and make a haven on earth.

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What’s it mean?

Rotaract Club of MMUST As a member of the Rotaract club of MMUST (Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology), I have had the wonderful opportunity to give back to the community that has already given so much to us.

However, what makes Rotaract so special is that every project is not only a chance to serve, but also to improve yourself and your skills. At times, I have had to work tirelessly on big projects and activities, while at other times it is a simpler effort on a smaller project.

Whichever it is, being part and parcel of Rotaract projects has gifted me with a wealth of lessons and experiences. It is an inexplicable feeling of joy.

Big thanks to Rotaract. I acknowledge the importance of developing a social network, and I have been able to build a wide network of acquaintances. It has greatly contributed to making the environment at the university much more enjoyable and interesting. Rotaract surely has its own way of making its effects felt in our lives.

Rotaract has also given me an opportunity to serve people as a leader. I must recognize that since I was introduced to Rotaract By Geoffrey Muombo three years ago, I’ve served as a class representative, Club Official in other clubs, Green Rotaract Coordinator in Western Region, currently as a Student Leader in the University and as the President Rotaract Club of MMUST. I’ve been able to learn leadership at all levels of my leadership ladder.

To me, Rotaract is mostly about making friends, learning leadership skills, serving the community, developing professionally and having fun.

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Rotaract Club of Chuka University

For starters, the Rotaract Club of Chuka University is situated in Tharaka Nithi County (stronghold), not Meru County as some of you may think.

As the only Chartered Rotaract Club in the County, we decided to create a Haven of Peace, Love and Prosperity for the less fortunate in the community. Children, orphans, the physically and mentally disabled are the ones we hold dear in our hearts as Rotaractors.

Charter President Naomi, together with fellow Rotaractors formed the Kairuni School Initiative in 2016. It’s a school for the physically and mentally disabled located in Chogoria. Initially, the aim of the project was to provide basic needs for the disabled kids. We have conducted various donation drives, but our major one is the Diapers Drive where students in our campus donate cash or in kind to support the kids with diapers.

This is aimed at making them feel comfortable and that they are part of the society. We believe that this initiative will encourage parents with disabled kids to put them in school rather than hide them in their homes.

Beside donations, the initiative was extended to spending most of our weekends and holidays with them.

We would clean, cook for, feed, dance with and engage them in team building activities whose aim was to make their weekend and holiday experiences memorable and hopefully bring happiness into their lives.

On 29th February, we conducted a “Fun and Cook Fest” for the kids, which attracted some interested Clubs on campus (Peace Ambassadors Kenya) and groups in the community (Gifted Hearts). Partnering with other Clubs/Groups has really worked for us, and yes Rotary Connects the World. The day was beautiful with a clear sky and fresh air. The Mt. Kenya view was spectacular. The cooking session was quite some work but at the same time, fun and exciting. We were singing without a radio and cracking jokes. Indeed, work without play makes Rotaractors dull.

Feeding the kids was one of the most memorable experiences. You could see happiness in their faces, smiles and laughter. The dance session with the kids was one for the books too, not forgetting the photo sessions, and the moments captured. Putting smiles on the kids’ faces is always our desire.

The Kairuni School Project is not just a project to Chuka University; it has become our identity and who we are as members of the Rotary family. We (RAC Chuka University) have this slogan, “To Be Human Is To Love” which motivates us more to Serve Above Self.

My sincere gratitude goes to all the Rotaractors and friends of Rotaract. Thank you, guys, for putting in the effort and time to make the event a success. To the Kairuni School Management, we appreciate your constant support and permission to interact with the kids. Let’s keep serving in truth and fairness, and let’s keep doing things that are beneficial to all concerned.

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Have you ever sat with someone who says they do not have a meaning or purpose in life? Well, I am a strong believer in creating meaning for ourselves. It is our job to create meaning and happiness in our lives.

Sadly, most individuals have no knowledge of this.

It all starts with the little things we do. Mere acts of kindness will absolutely bring a difference to our lives.

It requires one to try and be good to others, or to do good. The essence of life is kindness and love. We are gifted with 24 hours every single day. To some, that’s a lot of time, while others find it too little to accomplish anything, let alone something meaningful. It all depends on an individual’s perspective.

A young lad once challenged me to account for my time, and set out a plan so I could be more productive with the time provided to me. Being a young lady, I felt like he was being pushy. I felt like I had all the time in the world to do what I wanted. Or did I? I reluctantly took up his challenge, and decided to join a club that would help me engage in community service activities.

When starting any activity, no matter how small, positivity, persistence and discipline will determine a lot of what you do and how you view it.

Of course, I did not learn this till I engaged with a group of young girls. They were bubbling with joy when we arrived at the compound. It was really beautiful for me as it fills me with joy to see any child smile. We spent the day with the girls, and I had a conversation with two of them. They are beautiful and intelligent girls who are willing to equip themselves with skills that will allow them to soar high in society. I picked something up from them when we had our chat. It occurred to me that helping a person, no matter who they are, can have a great impact on them. It doesn’t matter what you have.

I took it upon myself to share joy, love and kindness with others as it makes me happy to see others happy.

It fills my heart to see joy in other individuals. The Rotaract family has given me the opportunity to put smiles on others’ faces, and show them that there is good in the world. I want to continue showing them that they can be anything they want to be and that there are people willing to give a helping hand.

Long live Rotaract for providing an opportunity to make the world a better place.

Rotaract Club of JKUAT 72

As it is said, ‘A Rotaract Club is an organization of young adults who take action through community and international service, learn leadership skills, and participate in professional development.’ But they forget to tell you that it is a family full of love and care. You won’t know this unless you get to experience it. There is this of being in a new place, but feeling like you’ve known it forever. That’s exactly what happens when you set foot in the Rotaract family. You’re treated as part of the family from day one. It makes your heart beat for Rotaract. It’s something like love at first sight.

I never once thought that I could get a family so vibrant apart from my blood family. I always believed that only your blood family can make you happy and give you love and care. Rotaract proved me wrong.

I was just the little shy girl who was looking for somewhere to belong in campus. I never really wanted to get involved. I just wanted to get a certificate after my fourth year. It never crossed my mind that one day I would come to be so involved in what I was looking for to the extent of it becoming an addiction.

The first time I heard of Rotaract, I was like, “Okay this club’s name seems classy and all. Let me give it a try.” I would hear people calling themselves “Rotaractor so and so” and it just sounded appealing. And so, I attended my first fellowship, invited by the president himself. What an honor! And that one fellowship changed everything. The smiles everyone had on their faces when welcoming us visitors was enough to melt my heart. I could feel the love flowing and I knew I was there to stay. I longed for that moment when I would also call myself Rotaractor. And then came the time for the Four Way Test. For once, I learnt that speaking the truth matters to many, but the “last” one though piqued my interest. “Will it be fun?” Trust me no one could say no to fun; not when the fun was with people who loved you so much. A Rotaractor I became, and that brought me joy.

My Rotaract journey began with enthusiasm. I kept yearning for the next fellowship because that meant another chance to be with a family that loved without limits. I always looked forward to the fun activities. I learnt to serve above self. I learnt to put other people first in whatever I was doing. Rotaract made my smile permanent because through it, I always made someone smile, and that gave me a sense of achievement.

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I remember my first activity as a Rotaractor. It was a whiteboard cleanup in campus. We would clean the boards and put posters on them, telling the lecturers not to use permanent markers. Then I would go to class for a lecture, see the poster and smile to myself knowing that I was part of the group that made learning a bit easier. It made me concentrate on my lectures even more.

The shy girl got lost and I became a girl who could address a multitude of more than twenty people without fiddling. It was hard at first, but Rotaractors gave me courage. Their encouragement kept me going, and I emerged courageous after a while. I could now share my opinions with no fear of being criticized and the feeling was more than amazing. I can now lead someone, courtesy of Rotaract. The leadership skills I learnt made me a better and more competent leader. I will forever be grateful for every single change Rotaract brought to my life.

They say Rotaract connects. It truly does. Rotaract has given me lifelong friends, who I wouldn’t have dreamt of getting anywhere else. Friends who are ready to listen, and who inspire. Rotaract opens opportunities.

Places I’ve gotten to because of Rotaract cannot even be numbered. They’re just too many.

I love Rotaract, I love Rotaractors and I will always be a proud Rotaractor.

Rotaract Club of MMUST

Yes, my friend. But ensure you wear a mask, sanitize & keep a safe distance of 2 metres at all times.

I don’t want to hear you got CORONA.

Let’s get home before we are another case for the police.

A tale representing a true scenario of a town where urbanicity meets african culture; or where information & mis-information meet but we are linked by humanity & kindness (we are one).

I hear you my brother. Can I pay for the masks with milk?

But ofcourse.

Ubuntu, my friend. UBUNTU.

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Infact, come I sell you some masks.

Translations Waru - a Kikuyu term meaning potatoes Nkasiogi - Maasai name for one who’s always in a hurry Ero - ‘greetings’ in Maasai Jambo - ‘greetings’ in Kiswahili ***THE END Ubuntu - Zulu term for ‘I am because we are’

MEET THE TEAM

PERPETUAL MACHUA Said she missed us, asked to meet, stood us up. Also got us active on LinkedIn and has always delivered since.

Asante.

HILDA NDONYI The Retweet Queen. Got us our first retweet from Rotary International and would not let us sleep for weeks after.

Many thanks.

PAUL KARURI (PICASSO) Serves hot memes, writes strange captions and has kept Rotaract Kenya’s socials in ship shape since he joined us one random Wednesday evening.

Thanks, dude.

CATHERINE NJERI Amazing growth trajectory as a designer, and an unbeatable work ethic. Made our first ever comic strip, and every increasingly amazing edition of this magazine.

Thank you.

NURUHUSSEIN MOHAMMED Could get us articles from Rotaractors in Ethiopia on a few hours’ notice, get the magazine to everyone in minutes and still have a minute to post on Facebook. !

WILSON KAROGO NGOTHO Introduced us to Buffer and streamlined our Instagram and Facebook accounts. All around good amphibious Rotaractor.

Thanks, bruv.

CREDITS

Concept Art - Netsanet Asmelash (Vamye) Pencil Art - Agunyo Bill Ongete Photos - Individual Rotaract clubs, Peter Mwarangu (Peter Mkristo, www.throughmylenses.co.ke), Rikkie Tumaini

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STRONGER APART, TOGETHER WE STAND, TO BID COVID-19 GOODBYE!