Don’t Be Mean. GO GREEN!
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 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:
- Securing 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.
Article by: Rtr. Amutabi Betty Venessa
