The Passion Newsletter, September Issue, 2019 2The Passion newletter September 2019 | Page 7

I scheduled my visit to coincide with the 8th edition
of the Rotary Cancer Run. Walking into Kololo
Ceremonial Grounds at around 7 A.M., I felt glad
to be among 40,000 runners dedicated to support
Rotary buy 2 linear accelerators and 2 bunkers
to ensure modern cancer treatment at Nsambya
Hospital. In the long-term, Rotary shall equip a
hospital in each of Uganda’s region with the cancer
treatment machines. Cancer accounts for 15%
of all human death worldwide; probably an equal
percentage in Uganda and our region.
Rotary is providing much needed intervention;
bringing in long-term partners and assuring a
generation that we can win the war against cancer.
The enormity of the goal is both mind-boggling and
inspirational. In this particular edition, USHs. 778
Million (equivalent of USD 200,000) was raised.
Thanks to the vision-bearer of this project, Past
District Governor (PDG) Stephen Mwanje; the
organizing committee and project partners, we’re
reminded that, through Rotary and Rotaract, we’ve
the chance to intervene and solve challenges which
our immediate communities are facing.
Simplifying Rotaract’s objects, you shall realize that
we hope to achieve only 3 goals: a better skilled and
respectful young professional; a solution-oriented young
leader and a future Rotarian. Going further, you realize that
as a volunteer membership organization, members have
to be involved to achieve the set organization goals. The
beauty is that we have the advantage of many hands of
like-minded individuals on deck. When we come together,
we develop progressive professional and leadership skills
development programs; impactful service projects and
engaging networking and fun events. As we all know, the
desired end goal for each Rotaractor is Rotary membership.
To sustain and grow Rotaract, each Club ought to pro-
actively achieve our objects and document those success
stories. To paraphrase Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris:
whatever Rotaract may mean to us, to the world it will be
known by the results it achieves.
My week in Uganda has been most insightful and fun-
filled. The hospitality offered by PDG Nelson Kawalya and
his family; DRR Jakob Ssendawula; CC Noah Nyabwana;
Past DRRs; Current District Team and the many Rotary and
Rotaract Clubs and members across Kampala has been
immense. I welcome each one to District 9212 - Kenya,
Ethiopia, South Sudan and Eritrea - as we strengthen our
At this point, I am not sure whether to start with continued friendship.
the after-fellowship parties or the fellowships
themselves. Over the week, I experienced very In this connecting Rotary year, you are welcome to the
warm hospitality from each Club that I visited. 5th edition of the Rotaract Africa Summit between 21 - 24
More importantly, I observed camaraderie between Nov, 2019 in Ethiopia and the 8th edition of the Rotaract
members within and beyond their Rotaract Club.
East Africa impact (REACT) between 09 - 12 April 2020
in Kenya. It shall be our utmost honor to host all of you
From my Rotaract experience I observe that each for the first-ever joint Rotary and Rotaract District 9212
Club attracts new members based on a particular Conference (DisCon) between 02 - 05 April 2020 to be
Club trait. This seemed no different in Kampala. held at the Safaricom Kasarani Sports Stadium, Nairobi.
Each club was different but impressive in its own
right. Diversity is one of five Rotary’s core values.
Friends in Uganda, may the Almighty bless the work of your
In diversity, we have a beautiful coat of many hands; the vision in your minds and love in your hearts.
colours. Diversity is one thing Rotary and Rotaract Let’s continually nurture stronger relations amongst the
in Kampala ought to thrive on. To improve each Rotary family in Eastern Africa: Rotary Districts 9211 and
Club’s membership and sustainability, we ought to 9212.
work to differentiate a club’s experience from the
rest. All the same, we - in the Rotary family - are
Yours,
bound by service to our globe; our communities
and ourselves.
Samuel Karanja,
District Rotaract Representative,
Rotary District 9212.
Rotaract District 9211
District 9211
The Passion
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