Rotarians Forge Great Friendships Across the Savannah
By Mona Ombogo and Judy Kariuki
“We are One!” This isn’t just the theme for the Rotary year, 2023/2024, it’s a clarion call from our leader Leonard Ithau, to truly become one in our purpose, our actions, our goals and ultimately our results.
Rotary District 9212 has about 400 clubs. As commendable as this is, the vision of our District Governor Ithau is to bring this great force of volunteers and change makers together. Why? Because we can accomplish more with all our efforts centered towards bigger more impactful projects.
The year has hardly started but already it’s evident Clubs, Clusters and Regions have taken this clarion call to heart.
Day 15 and 16 of the new Rotary year found the Eastern Region Rotary Clubs in Voi, Taita/Taveta County. Why? Rotary Club of Voi and Rotary Club of Taveta were having a joint installation and Regional Coordinator Saad, asked his clubs to accompany him as the co-officiator of this event alongside Assistant Governor Somji, to Voi. Over thirty-two Rotarians hoped on the SGR to spend the night in Voi, where the installation was to take place at Voi Wildlife Resort, one of the oldest hotels in the town.
Against the warmth of the sun, a welcome relief to these Rotarians from colder parts of the region, they enjoyed great food, great ambiance and great company as they witnessed the crowning of Presidents Mwazighe (RC Voi) and Mwakiwiwi (RC Taveta) and their boards.
The event culminated by an invigorating and entertaining auction and fund raising led by District Strategy and Planning Chair, Edward Haddy. Who knew a few bags of vegetables could fetch over twenty-thousand shillings in less than an hour?
That’s what happens when we come together; service becomes fun, insightful and impactful. Right from the departure at the Nairobi and Athi River terminus, Rotarians connected as they sat together in the SGR coaches, shared food, drinks and ideas. Some made new friends, others reconnected through laughter and unending stories.
Rolling into Taita land, they were greeted by the iconic native acacia tree species known as Msemeri, Zaule and Iti in Kitaita. Four counties and four hours later, they sat together to have lunch at their hotel for the night, Vacani Resort, where further introductions were made by members from the Rotary Clubs of Stoni Athi, Athi River, Upper Hill, Emali, Ongata Rongai, Syokimau, Westlands and Mwatate. There was an unspoken awe as these volunteers realized just how powerful this moment was. If thirty-two of them could make this trip simply to give moral support to two distant clubs, how much more could they accomplish if they put their heads together towards a joint project and mission?
This trip was the start of many great things to come out of the Eastern Region which comprises of ten clubs. At least four of these from Cluster 1; RC Athi River, Stoni Athi, Kitengela and Syiokimau are already gearing towards joint projects in the next coming months. These projects include the cleanup of Athi River (Adopt-a-River), a Valentine’s Blood Drive and an ambitious Busia to Watamu (Border-to-Border) run to raise funds for tree growing in partnership with Lukenya University, and equipping schools with environmentally friendly and sustainable energy programmes.
In keeping with the We Are One theme, buds of new friendship sprouted, bonds were formed and strengthened, and fertile ground for club partnerships tilled and prepared – beautiful outcomes of a lovely weekend spent together.
Special thanks to President Mutheu (RC Athi River), Jackie (RC Syokimau) Caroline (RC Upper hill), Benson (RC Emali) and Judy (RC Stoni Athi) for rallying their members in numbers for this trip.
May there be many more the District over.
