Be the change your community needs

Rotaract turned 51 on March 13. We are celebrating 51 years of taking action, leading communities, and changing the world. As such, Rotaractors in Uganda join the rest of the world to commemorate the Rotaract Week. The annual event is celebrated every March 11-18 to mark the founding of the first club, which was chartered in 1968.

Rotaract brings together a global network of volunteer individuals, young professionals, leaders who dedicate their time and talent to deal with the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotaract connects about 1.2 million members from more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work impacts lives at both the local and international levels.

During this World Rotaract Week, celebrations of the success, impact and importance of the Rotaract clubs around the world are demonstrated. This is also an excellent opportunity for members to inform their communities about the amazing work that Rotaract clubs do, and give them an opportunity to get involved. Rotaractors in District D9211, which covers Uganda and Tanzania, are no exception to this.

As such, Rotaractors are called to take on the challenge and do something for someone or for a community. You could offer to clean a hospital, a road, help school children cross the road, help someone pay their taxi fare, make a donation to a children’s home, just about any good deed. For Rotary clubs that have not sponsored a Rotaract Club, you are missing a great opportunity to mentor and mould the leaders of tomorrow. The enthusiasm of Rotaractors can bring new energy to a Rotary Club, assist with projects and inspire fresh ideas for service. Rotaractors of today will be the Rotarians of tomorrow.

In 2013, I was fortunate enough to join the fraternity that is generally referred to as rotary. Before I joined rotaract, my knowledge was limited to the high school Interact experience that was characterised by infamous school soirées and a mostly excitable collection of meetings.

I am currently a proud “charter” member and current President (2018-2019) of the Rotaract Club of Kampala South (well known as the Southern Knights). The club has been in existence for nearly six years. In this period, I have been lucky enough to witness the true impact of Rotaract in communities, through club member efforts, organisations and other clubs coming together to make a difference.

I first felt the spark of ‘service above self and friendship’ when I attended my first project in Kitende-Sekiwunga on Entebbe Road. I was humbled by the level of gratitude from the mothers we interacted with during the medical camp.

I had never seen nor heard a clearer description of hope than when I had a one-on-one with these mothers through the provision of what we considered then basic medical needs/services such as immunisation, polio vaccines, tetanus shots, de-worming, HIV testing and counselling, etc. Being able to have different professionals come together for a greater good was something I will always be very proud to be a part of.

In Uganda, there are about 119 clubs and each club is linked to more than one community that it serves. The constant being that whatever work our clubs are involved in, our vision is the same. We all see a world that could be better when we work together and join our vibrant energies.

Richard Mutabazi,
[email protected]