Stories

In recognition of Maternal and Child Health Month, on July 29, members of RCOF came together for our third annual hands-on packing party to assemble care packages for mothers and newborns at Princess Margaret Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care and Critical Care Unit (NICCU). The evening was filled with fellowship and service as members sorted, packed, and organized the essential items. The packing party reflected the club’s shared commitment to supporting families, demonstrating that meaningful service begins long before a donation is formally presented.

On July 30, in partnership with Nassau Agencies Limited (NAL), RCOF donated the care packages to the NICCU. The packages included preemie/newborn diapers, sensitive baby body washes, multivitamin packs for mothers, baby wipes, and postpartum self-care kits containing maternal vitamins, moisturizing cream, and a care guide highlighting the signs of postpartum blues and available support resources.

The initiative reflects the club’s commitment to supporting both mothers and newborns during one of life’s most critical moments, ensuring families have access to essential items that promote the health and well-being of both mother and child.

The presentation was attended by representatives of PMH NICCU, the PHA Foundation, and PMH Administration, along with RCOF board members and club members.

Our club was pleased to welcome Dr. Agatha Foulkes-Mackey to speak on the topic: "Supporting Mothers Through the Reproductive Journey: From Prenatal Care to Postpartum Recovery and Beyond".

She shared her expertise in obstetrics, postpartum care, and women’s hormonal health, with a focus on supporting mothers through the reproductive journey, including prenatal counseling and high‑risk antenatal care, safe delivery and postpartum recovery, early maternal‑infant bonding, and longer‑term considerations such as postpartum hormonal changes and midlife reproductive wellness. 

Our Disaster Relief Chair & Sergeant-at-Arms Cleophas Smith provided a disaster preparedness presentation and launched the first step in our club’s Disaster Preparedness Plan. We ended the evening with a Rotary After Dark - Independence Style social, where members dressed in Bahamian flag colors and enjoyed trivia, games, food and fellowship.

We began the new Rotary year with our first official meeting and the installation of our board. RCOF was honored to host, Mr. Herschel J. Walker, United States Ambassador to The Bahamas as our inaugural speaker. 

Speaking on the topic: “Create Lasting Impact”,  Ambassador Walker shared his distinguished record of leadership across athletics, business, civic life, and public service, which was a profound encouragement to our 2026-2027 executive board and membership at the start this year.

Our 2026-2027 executive board was installed by Assistant Governor Lionel Haven and the outgoing board extended its gratitude to Immediate Past President O’Niel Bain for his service in the 2025-2026 Rotary year.

During our March meetings, we proudly promoted HANWASH (Haiti National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Initiative) raising $1,000 in generous contributions from both members and guests. This fundraising effort is a testament to our collective commitment to supporting clean water and sanitation projects in Haiti. The funds raised will be donated directly to HANWASH, helping to further their mission of improving water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions in communities across the country. This initiative not only highlights our dedication to global service but also strengthens our role in addressing critical issues affecting public health worldwide.

At the March 19 meeting, Charles Beall, CEO and President of Pure H2O, delivered a compelling talk on the critical importance of delivering clean water to communities, emphasizing the fundamental role water plays in public health, economic development, and environmental sustainability. Beall highlighted the challenges and solutions involved in ensuring access to safe and reliable water sources, especially in underserved areas. He underscored the need for continued innovation and investment in water purification and distribution technologies to meet the growing demands of a changing global population. His presentation reinforced the vital connection between clean water access and overall well-being, inspiring attendees to support initiatives that promote water security for all.

Each Saturday in March, the club continued with its signature STEM Saturdays Program, a wonderful initiative aimed at inspiring underserved youth to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. This hands-on program fosters creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills in the younger generation, opening up opportunities for future careers in STEM fields. These sessions are currently geared towards developing student’s skills in coding through the use of platforms provided by MIT to create animations and stories.

At our club meeting held on March 5, Cyprian Gibson, Deputy General Manager of the Water & Sewerage Corporation of The Bahamas, delivered an insightful talk on the crucial role of supplying clean water and sanitation facilities in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Highlighting the ongoing efforts of the Water & Sewerage Corporation, Mr. Gibson emphasized the importance of maintaining robust water and sanitation infrastructure to safeguard public health. His presentation underscored the need for continued investment in these essential services, particularly in the face of climate change and population growth, to ensure a sustainable and healthy future for all Bahamians.

In celebration of International Women's Day on March 8, the female Rotarians of the Club were celebrated at this meeting for their unwavering dedication and contributions to the community. As a gesture of appreciation, attendees were treated to delightful treats, creating a warm and festive atmosphere.

  

To cap off a month filled with impactful, peacebuilding activities, RCOF hosted a special screening of the Bob Marley: One Love Movie as a social and fundraiser event. The screening brought together members and the community for a night of entertainment and reflection on the life and legacy of the legendary musician through art and music, while also raising funds for future community service and peace projects.

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On February 22, our club hosted a New Member Orientation to welcome and introduce new members (2 years and younger) to the values and activities of Rotary. The session provided an overview of the club’s mission, goals, and opportunities for engagement in both local and international service projects.

At the February 19 meeting, the Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Rolle shared valuable insights into Crime Prevention, Peacebuilding, and Conflict Resolution in the Bahamas. His presentation highlighted the importance of collaboration between law enforcement, communities, and organizations like Rotary in maintaining peace and safety. He spoke on the role of law enforcement in proactive peacebuilding and provided strategies for reducing crime through community engagement.

RCOF’s Peace Webinar Series kicked off with a powerful session by Past President Novelette Grant of the Rotary Club of Manor Park, Rotary Caribbean Peace Activator and Institute for Economics and Peace Ambassador who spoke on the topic, “Positive Peace: A Framework for Rethinking Our Approach to Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention”. The webinar was attended by members of the Rotary Club of Old Fort and District 7020. PP Novelette’s presentation provided a comprehensive look at how positive peace can be cultivated in communities to prevent conflict and foster sustainable peace.

The Second Installment of the Peace Webinar series was held on February 26, 2025 where we heard from: Dr. Katherine Wilson who spoke on Tools for Transforming Conflict and Building Bridges.

On February 8, the club hosted its signature STEM Saturdays Program, a wonderful initiative aimed at inspiring youth to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. This hands-on program fosters creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills in the younger generation, opening up opportunities for future careers in STEM fields.

On February 5, our club had the honor of welcoming Rotarian Azaleta Ishmael-Newry and David Locket as guest speakers. They shared insightful details about the PACT Coaching Program, a valuable initiative that supports youth in the juvenile justice system. The program focuses on providing mentorship and life skills to at-risk youth, helping them navigate challenges and build positive futures.

The second semester of STEM Saturdays commenced on January 18 under the new theme of the marine ecosystems which presents an exciting opportunity for students to explore the diverse and vital environments of our oceans and waterways. 

Through hands-on activities and interactive lessons, students will learn about the critical roles marine ecosystems play in maintaining biodiversity, supporting coastal communities, and regulating climate. Through hands-on activities and interactive lessons, students will learn about the critical roles marine ecosystems play in maintaining biodiversity, supporting coastal communities, and regulating climate. This semester's STEM Saturdays program aims to encourage students to investigate the intricacies of coral reefs, mangroves, and other marine habitats, fostering a deeper understanding of their importance to the planet’s health. By focusing on marine ecosystems, STEM Saturdays aims to inspire future environmental stewards and promote awareness about the urgent need to protect these invaluable resources for generations to come.

DGN Lindsey Cancino speaks at RCOF 

During our Club Meeting on November 20, 2024, we heard from DGN Lindsey Cancino as he shared an update on the fight against polio highlighting Rotary’s  pivotal role in the global fight against this debilitating disease. He discussed Rotary's commitment to a polio-free world, tracing the organization's efforts back to 1985 when it launched the PolioPlus program and Rotary’s partnered with global health organizations, governments, and local communities to provide immunizations, raise awareness, and fund research. DGN Lindsey emphasized the significant progress made, noting that polio cases have decreased by 99% worldwide, with only two countries—Afghanistan and Pakistan—currently reporting new cases. DGN Lindsey also underscored Rotary's continued dedication to eradicating polio and the importance of maintaining vigilance and support until the disease is completely eliminated. RCOF members’ passion was reignited by Rotary’s organization's resilience and determination in achieving a world without polio.

During this meeting, DGN Lindsey also pinned two new members of the PolioPlus Society, President Nateisha Bain and President-Elect O’Niel Bain.

RCOF Attends The RCOB Foundation Gala 

On November 16, 2024, RCOF participated in the Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas’ Foundation Gala at Margaritaville, where RCOF awarded Mr. Edward Zouein with a Paul Harris Humanitarian Fellow Award for his unwavering commitment to making an impact in our community. The club also celebrates sixteen (16) members who obtained Paul Harris Fellow distinctions this year. 

The Rotary Club of Old Fort remains committed to advancing the cause to end polio with the Rotary Foundation.

STEM Saturdays on November 2, 9 and DG Dominique’s Visit to STEM Saturdays on Nov 16, 2024

RCOF was honored to have District 7020 Governor Dominique Bazin visit our Club’s signature STEM Saturday program on Saturday November 16th at the Lyford Cay International School, which is a key initiative aimed at inspiring young minds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 

STEM Saturdays has been a signature service project of RCOF for the past eight (8) years. Our STEM Saturdays program consists of interactive STEM-related workshops, experiments and projects, all tailored to the interests and abilities of children in grades 5 and 6 at the public, underserved Adelaide Primary School in Nassau, Bahamas. It is designed to engage, inspire, cultivate and educate the young minds of these children through hands-on learning experiences, interactive workshops, and real-world applications. By fostering curiosity, problem-solving, collaboration and critical thinking skills, we aim to ignite a passion for STEM subjects and empower participants to explore their interest in STEM subjects and potentially pursue further education and careers in these fields.

The STEM Saturdays program currently consists of two seven-week semesters where the students from the underserved public Adelaide Primary School are transported to and from the Lyford Cay International School, which is a private internationally-accredited school with state of the art indoor and outdoor learning facilities. The sessions are held every Saturday in the semester from 8am to 12noon. The students are also provided with breakfast, lunch and all supplies required at no cost to them or their parents.

DG Dominique’s visit provided an opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of Rotary's commitment to education and youth development. During this week’s session, the students built and tested their very own compasses and wind vanes, and heard from DG Dominique on creating and maintaining peace in themselves, their homes and their communities. DG Dominique expressed enthusiasm for the program’s success, praising the collaboration between Rotary clubs, educators, and community leaders in providing such valuable opportunities. The visit highlighted Rotary’s ongoing efforts to equip the next generation with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an increasingly tech-driven world. The program’s positive reception underscored its importance in shaping future innovators and problem-solvers.

On November 13, 2024, RCOF welcomed District 7020 Governor Dominique Bazin and Assistant Governor - West Lionel Haven to our board meeting and general meeting at The Balmoral Clubhouse. During the board meetings, DG Dominique engaged with the club’s leadership team, discussed ongoing projects, learned about the progress made in the 2024-2025 Rotary year and plans for the future of RCOF. Later in the general meeting, DG Dominique addressed the members and guests of RCOF emphasizing the importance of Rotary’s mission and the role each member plays in the success of our club. 

Members were grateful for the DG’s leadership and the opportunity to engage with her, gaining a deeper understanding of the district’s priorities and how the club can contribute to Rotary’s global and local efforts.

Additionally, we were excited to have DG Dominique and AG Lionel conduct our membership induction where they inducted three (3) new members into the club. 

We were also joined by the Interact Club of Lyford Cay International School who provided the District Governor and Assistant Governor with an update of their fundraisers, community service initiatives and future plans. All in all, it was a lovely evening filled with fellowship, camaraderie, and celebration of the success of the Club.

DG Dominique Bazin and AG Lionel Haven meet with President Nateisha Bain and the Board of the RCOF

DG Dominique Bazin speaks to the club members of RCOF 

DG Dominique Bazin pins the three new members inducted during the club meeting.

DG Dominique Bazin and AG Lionel Haven inducting three (3) new members into the RCOF Family.

DG Dominique Bazin, AG Lionel Haven, President Nateisha Bain and President Elect O’Niel Bain with some of the members of the Board and advisors of the Interact Club of Lyford Cay International School which is sponsored by RCOF

DG Dominique Bazin, AG Lionel Haven with some of the members of RCOF

Click here for more photos from the meeting: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_QBhixAm_-Tqu7ecYpOVH1O-Yhj3AY4a?usp=drive_link

The Rotary Club of Old Fort hosted “The Rotary Incubator,” a transformative program that connected Junior Achievement (JA) members with top industry leaders to foster business knowledge, leadership skills, and community impact. This initiative aligned with Rotary’s October theme of Community Economic Development and supported JA Bahamas’ mission to “inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.” Over two weeks, 55 JA members engaged in mentorship sessions with Rotarians and Bahamian business leaders, developed business ideas, and divided into 5 teams to compete in a pitch competition  designed to empower youth and strengthen local economic growth and community development. The winning team was awarded with a cash prize and RCOF also donated funds to assist the JA members in their future entrepreneurial initiatives.

Click here for more photos from the event: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1X-MErgRfboXUdNn4WyiwC30cUHAY5hoD?usp=sharing

We're excited to relaunch our signature STEM Saturdays program which has been a signature service project of RCOF for the past eight (8) years. Any student in grades 5 and 6 at the Adelaide Primary School (which is a public school) may enrol. This year 30 students have enrolled in the program. The sessions are held every Saturday from 8am to 12noon. The students are provided with breakfast, lunch and all supplies required at no cost to them or their parents. Parents and teachers of the students enrolled in the program have praised the program stating that they have seen significant improvement in these students' grades and demeanour. 

Our STEM Saturdays program consists of interactive STEM-related workshops, experiments and projects, all tailored to the interests and abilities of the students. It is designed to engage, inspire, cultivate and educate the young minds of these children through hands-on learning experiences, interactive workshops, and real-world applications. By fostering curiosity, problem-solving, collaboration and critical thinking skills, we aim to ignite a passion for STEM subjects and empower participants to explore their interest in STEM subjects and potentially pursue further education and careers in these fields. 

In recognition of  Breast Cancer Awareness Month, RCOF members attended our Club Assembly in shades of pink!

During the Club Assembly, Board Members shared progress reports of various committees and initiatives, and RCOF members participated in decision-making for the future and betterment of our club. We also held our Board Elections and congratulated the board of directors for the year 2025-2026.  Lastly, we celebrated Rotarians who banked the most makeups for the first quarter, Nakeshia Bain and Robyn Curtins showing their commitment to RCOF and announced the winner with the most votes for Rotarian of Quarter 1, Community Service Co-Chair Robyn Curtis, who has been a dedicated Rotarian and board member assisting with the various service projects throughout the year!

   

On September 29, RCOF, in partnership with two local literacy non-profit organisations, Bahamas Literacy Association and Brighter Bahamas Foundation, provided an exclusive screening of the movie Akeelah and The Bee for the children of The Children’s Emergency Hostel (which is a government hostel for orphaned youth). During this event, RCOF will also aid in labelling 10,000 books which will be distributed throughout the island. 

In recognition of World Clean Up Day and International Coastal CleanUp Day, RCOF held a cleanup of the Adelaide Beach and community in partnership with corporate and civic partners including Barefoot Wines, the Interact Club of The Lyford Cay International School, Rotary Club of Southeast Nassau, Bahamas Waste and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated in a community-wide effort to preserve and protect our environment and local beaches. 

See photos from the Beach Clean Up here.
 

During our first general meeting we heard from our Past President Tammi Watson, learned more about Rotary and shared our “why”.

At our second meeting, we invited the Director of Education who spoke on the topic “Transforming the Bahamian Education System: Strategies for Improving Academic Outcomes”. The conversation surrounding literacy was enlightening and encouraging for members and guests.

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In recognition of Basic Education & Literacy Month each Wednesday in September, RCOF embarked on a reading initiative aimed at igniting a passion for literacy among public school students through engaging and interactive storytelling sessions. RCOF members visited Palmdale Primary School, Adelaide Primary School and The Bahamas Association for The Physically Disabled and read age-appropriate books, fostering a love for reading. RCOF members also judged a literacy board contest at one of the schools. Each session was designed to be fun and inclusive, often featuring themed activities that encourage participation and creativity. 

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RCOF’s members and guests were joined by The Bahamas Society Human Resource Management and learned more about the importance of networking, actionable tips and participated in a speed networking activity. Rotarians who joined us from the Rotary Clubs of Nassau Sunrise and Southeast Nassau, prospective members and guests all enjoyed great networking!

RCOF appointed Past President Nicholia Lockhart as its inaugural Peace Ambassador. This role's responsibilities include advocating   for   peace initiatives,   engaging   in   community   outreach,   and   fostering partnerships that align with Rotary’s mission of advancing world understanding, goodwill, and peace. We look forward to this new role in RCOF’s mission to create moments of magic through service!

On August 3, RCOF in partnership with Bahamas Striping Group of Companies and the Rotary Clubs of Nassau Sunrise and South Ocean packed 7,500 backpacks with school supplies. These backpacks will be donated and distributed throughout The Bahamas to supply students in need with necessary back-to-school items.

During Membership Month, RCOF is proud to feature its members by highlighting the diverse classifications of the membership of our club

On Saturday July 20, 2024 members of the Rotary Club of Old Fort hosted a Disaster Preparedness Training for the Gambier Community Association in partnership with Summit Insurance, Bahamas First Insurance and CG Atlantic.

We welcomed the Hon. Michael C. Pintard, M. P., Opposition Leader, who spoke on the importance of good leadership. 

The meeting allowed for a candid conversation with the Minister delving into critical discussions on the development of the country. One area of focus was the recent uptick in crime, its effects on peace and security and ways citizens can assist in addressing this pervasive issue through education and volunteerism, emphasizing that the problem transcends political boundaries and affects all of us and our communities.

his year, the Rotary Club of Old Fort was the recipient of a district grant for its Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre Gardening Project for the creation of a community garden and construction of a greenhouse and tool shed.

The existing garden at Sandilands was destroyed by hurricane Matthew; the tool shed and greenhouse were likewise damaged and had fallen into disrepair.

Community gardening is an important occupational therapy tool as it promotes resilience positive social engagement, elevation of mood, responsibility, healthy eating and exercise, stimulates curiosity and reduces isolation.

Rotary Club of Old Fort welcomed Dr. Tyrone McKenzie this evening as our guest speaker. His presentation was centered around "Vision 2040".  Among other points he discussed the responsibilities of a good citizen. ‪#‎RotaryBahamas‬ ‪#‎RotaryInternational‬ ‪#‎RotaryServingHumanity‬ ‪#‎ChallengeRotaryOldFort‬ ‪#‎RotaryOldFort‬

NEWS RELEASE

Rotary Club of Old Fort Installs New President and Directors

Chantal Curtis the @breef242 Educational Officer was our guest speaker for the evening. Her famous quote was "No Green Without blue". #RotaryServingHumanity #RotaryOldFort #ChallengeRotaryOldFort #BeTheChangeIn7020