A Legacy of Learning
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
As we move through our centenary year, the momentum continues to build, and the spirit of Rotary shines brighter than ever. August was a month overflowing with community service activities and a renewed focus on growing our membership. Our “100 Days of Rotary Stories” digital campaign has now highlighted over 78 impactful projects across the seven Rotary focus areas within the first 60 days. This campaign—a first in our district—has ignited a wave of enthusiasm, encouraging Rotarians to share their stories and inspire others.
September is Rotary’s Basic Education and Literacy Month, a time for us to focus on one of the most fundamental pillars of community development. Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. With more than 775 million people over the age of 15 still illiterate—17 percent of the world’s adult population—our mission is critical.
The challenges are great, especially in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, where 87 percent of children are considered “learning poor,” unable to read and understand a simple text by the age of 10, according to the World Bank’s 2019 report on ‘Learning Poverty.’ But Rotary has never shied away from challenges. Our clubs are working hand-in-hand with schools across our countries to improve literacy rates and learning conditions, creating lasting change in the lives of children and adults alike.
In Kenya, Rotary clubs are working with the Global Partnership for Education and local and national governments to advance life-long learning opportunities for poor and marginalized children.
This month, we alsocontinue our centenary celebrations with a renewed focus on education. As we reflect on 100 years since our first District Conference, we are thrilled to announce that Rotary International President Stephanie U. will be visiting Kenya in January 2025. This visit underscores the significance of our centenary and the global impact of our work. Check out centenary celebrations here: https://timeline.rotary9212.org/rotary-district-9212-lines-up-more-than-a-dozen-projects-for-centenary-year/
Meanwhile, we continue to raise funds for our signature project on maternal health at Pumwani Hospital and support the Rotary Foundation, ensuring that our legacy of service continues to grow.
Let’s carry forward the energy of these past months and make September another milestone in our centenary year. Together, we are changing the world—one community, one story, and one project at a time.
Happy Reading!
Caroline Njiru, MPRSK
Editor In Chief – The Timeline
