Rotary Club of Syokimau Village Caravan Goes to Siaya County

By Barrack Odero

It has become an annual tradition for the Rotary Club of Syokimau members to travel to a member’s village for what is now fondly dubbed the ‘Village Caravan’.

At the beginning of May, the club took this Rotary year’s Village Caravan to my village in Ng’iya, Siaya County. We were joined by representatives from the Rotaract Club of Syokimau, Rotary Club of Milimani, Rotary Club of Nairobi Magharibi and a host of Rotarians in-waiting.

Our mission was two-fold. To partner with a local self-help group – Wagai Jokinda Moyie Self Help Group as we planted 3,000 trees and boosted the group’s economic initiatives around events management and delivery. As well as to have fun. We did both well in the friendly and forgiving weather. The Village Caravan covered three of the seven Rotary areas of focus, namely: basic education and literacy, community economic empowerment and environmental conservation.

Rotary Club of Syokimau President Jackie Mwikali and the group’s Chairman Victor Ouma Oyoo signed a Memorandum of Understanding on future collaboration. The partnership was ushered in after a short mid-morning hike to the hills, tree planting, and a guided tour of a section of the overflowing River Yala – before speeches, food, music and dance reverberated into the silent Pala Valley atmosphere. The local administration was fully represented. Gifts were exchanged, including a live cock for President Jackie, in what was a joyous, happy, friendly occasion.