March 17, 2008
Today, March 17, 2008: Jay Drick is the program chair for the St. Patrick's Day activities. As you know, Jay has imaginative and unpredictable programs.
We are also anticipating with great enthusiasm the singing of "Molly Malone" by our resident Irishman, Don Williams, who has entertained us lo these many years.
Rotary Board meets after the meeting today.
Next Week:
Vaughn Oswalt has entitled his program, "Old Cars."
March 31: District Governor Audrey M. Chevalier will speak.
Mark Your Calendars
This is an excellent opportunity to meet fellow Rotarians from around the District and hear from other Rotarians first hand about what Rotary is doing throughout the world
Rotary Women Wanted
Sunrise Rotary is organizing a women's golf league. They will golf nine holes from the end of May to September. Send an email to Mary Spensky.
A Salute to Lawyers
Since Jay is the program chair and program, it is fitting to have Lawyer Humor: The following are actual, true-in-the-courts events:
Attorney: "What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning?"
Witness: "He said, 'Where am I, Cathy?'"
Attorney: "And why did that bother you?"
Witness: "My name is Susan."
Attorney: "Now, doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?"
Witness: "Did you actually pass the bar examination?"
Attorney: "How was your first marriage terminated?"
Witness: "By death."
Attorney: "And by whose death was it terminated?"
Witness: "Now whose death do you suppose terminated it?"
Moving Kenya forward: Rotarians seek to heal wounds
Welcoming the peace deal signed last week to end their country's postelection crisis, Rotarians in Kenya met on 7 March with diplomats and civic and professional leaders to discuss practical ideas for healing the nation.
The Rotary Club of Nairobi hosted a panel discussion to talk about the role of civic society in the reconciliation and recovery process. The event, which was part of the club's annual World Understanding and Peace Day luncheon, was held at the Hilton Nairobi.
Moderated by national TV presenter Michael Oyier of KTN, the panel consisted of UN-Habitat Executive Director Anne Tibaijuka; retired Lt. Gen. Lazaro Sumbeiywo, who was the Intergovernmental Authority on Development's chief mediator in the Sudanese peace negotiations; clinical psychologist Gladys Mwiti; BBC East Africa correspondent Adam Mynott; and Vimal Shah, representing the Kenya Association of Manufacturers.
Following the disputed December election, riots reflecting ethnic divisions erupted across Kenya. More than 350,000 people fled their homes, and at least 1,000 were killed.
Though last week's reopened parliament is expected to soon ratify the power-sharing agreement brokered by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the country will feel the socioeconomic effects of the crisis for years to come.
The panelists concurred that the political agreement is just the beginning of the necessary reconciliation process.
Tibaijuka stressed the importance of dealing with the fundamental causes of inequity, while Sumbeiywo called for a better education system and an economic recovery plan akin to the Marshall Plan and urged Kenyans to reach out to their neighbors.
According to Mwiti, Kenyans are suffering from a massive depression. "We already had HIV, road traffic accidents, robbery, and violence, and now on top of that, the postelection violence. We should concentrate on healing and counseling," she said.
Following the panel discussion, the Nairobi club presented its Amazing Kenyans Peace Award to three citizens who had performed extraordinary actions in the period of postelection violence. The recipients are:
- Dekha Ibrahim, co-founder and chair of the Concerned Citizens for Peace initiative, which launched a national media campaign to stop the violence, sent strong messages to political leaders to restore peace, and provided a platform for citizens and organizations to coordinate peace and justice work.
- Superintendent Joseph Musyoka Nthenge, a police officer who surprised many when he was caught on camera pleading with demonstrators to be patriotic and not to destroy the socioeconomic gains that had been made. With tensions high, he put himself at risk and inspired others, exhibiting patience, wisdom, and courage.
- Alice Auma Opoto, of the Faida Karanja self-help group, aided the displaced by sending gunshot victims to the hospital, raising funds for funeral expenses, and housing families until they found other shelters.