Innovate. Adapt. Impact.

The Rotary Club of Kitante invested in the development of young leaders by sponsoring ten members of the Rotaract Club of Kitante to participate in the 2026 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Bootcamp, held from 20th to 22nd February 2026 at Lweza Conference Centre.

Held under the theme “Innovate, Adapt, Impact,” the three-day leadership programme brought together emerging youth leaders from Rotaract Clubs across the Central Region, alongside Rotarians, facilitators and international Rotary representatives. The programme combined leadership development, mentorship, innovation, teamwork and community engagement to equip participants with practical skills for personal growth, professional development and service.

Investing in the Leaders of Tomorrow

Leadership is not simply about holding a position; it is about having the ability to inspire others, respond to change, solve problems and create meaningful impact.

The RYLA Bootcamp was designed to develop these qualities among young people by providing a practical environment where participants could learn, collaborate and challenge themselves. Through workshops, panel discussions, physical activities, mentorship sessions and group projects, participants explored what it means to lead with integrity, adaptability and a commitment to service.

For the Rotary Club of Kitante, supporting RYLA represents an investment in the next generation of leaders who will carry the values of Rotary into their professions, communities and future leadership roles.

Impact at a Glance

  10

Rotaract Club of Kitante members sponsored

  3

Days of intensive leadership development

  1

RYLA Bootcamp held under the theme Innovate, Adapt, Impact

  1

Community Project Pitch Competition

What the Participants Experienced

The three-day programme was structured around three key themes: leadership foundations, adaptability and resilience, and sustainable impact.

Day One – Orientation & Leadership Foundations

The programme began with participant registration, orientation and an introduction to the expectations and values of the bootcamp.

Participants explored creative problem-solving, ethical and servant leadership, sustainable career development and strategic vision. They also participated in discussions on digital influence, artificial intelligence, digital marketing, public speaking and effective leadership communication.

The day concluded with team-building activities and the beginning of group community-impact projects using human-centred design principles. A Cultural Night provided an opportunity for participants to celebrate diversity through traditional dances, songs, attire and storytelling.

Day Two – Adaptability & Resilience

The second day focused on the ability of young leaders to adapt, remain resilient and make informed decisions in a changing world.

Participants took part in a 5-kilometre morning run, followed by sessions on emotional intelligence, financial literacy and youth innovation in Africa. The emotional intelligence session explored self-awareness, empathy, stress management and the different dimensions of emotional intelligence.

Financial literacy sessions introduced participants to budgeting, saving, investment fundamentals and responsible financial management.

A major highlight of the day was an engagement with Rotary International President Rtn. Francesco Arezzo, who shared an inspiring message with the young leaders and reaffirmed Rotary's commitment to youth leadership development.

The day concluded with continued work on group projects, a Talent Night and campfire reflections.

Day Three – Impact & Sustainable Change

The final day focused on turning personal development into meaningful impact.

Participants explored personal and professional branding, developing authentic leadership identities, creating personal mission statements and maintaining an effective digital presence.

The programme culminated in a Project Pitch Competition, where groups presented community-service ideas developed using human-centred design. Projects were evaluated based on creativity, feasibility, scalability, sustainability and alignment with Rotary values.

Group Next Gen, led by Santalucy Fungaroh, emerged as the winner of the pitch competition.

The bootcamp concluded with a certificate award ceremony officiated by the Rotary District 9213 Governor, recognising participants for their commitment and active participation.

 

Developing More Than Leadership Skills

The RYLA experience went beyond conventional leadership training. Participants developed practical competencies that can be applied in their personal, professional and community lives.

Key areas of development included:

• Ethical and servant leadership
• Creative problem-solving
• Emotional intelligence
• Financial literacy
• Public speaking and communication
• Personal and professional branding
• Digital skills and influence
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Innovation and project development
• Community engagement

These competencies provide young leaders with a stronger foundation for navigating professional environments, leading teams and developing solutions to challenges within their communities.

From Ideas to Community Impact

One of the most important elements of the RYLA Bootcamp was the opportunity for participants to develop practical community-service projects.

Rather than simply discussing community problems, participants were challenged to develop solutions using human-centred design and present their ideas to a panel for evaluation.

The projects explored challenges including health, waste management and other community concerns, with participants encouraged to consider not only whether their ideas were innovative, but whether they could realistically be implemented, scaled and sustained.

This approach reflects an important principle of Rotary service: young people should not only be beneficiaries of development programmes; they should also be empowered to become creators and leaders of solutions.

Strengthening Rotary–Rotaract Partnership

The sponsorship of RYLA participants also strengthened the relationship between the Rotary Club of Kitante and its sponsored Rotaract Club.

Through opportunities such as RYLA, Rotaractors gain access to leadership development, mentorship and professional guidance from experienced Rotarians while building relationships with other young leaders across the Rotary network.

The programme also creates a pathway for participants to take the knowledge and experience gained through leadership programmes and apply it through youth-led community initiatives.

For the Rotary Club of Kitante, supporting these opportunities is part of its broader commitment to youth empowerment, leadership development and the cultivation of future ethical and service-oriented leaders.

Lessons for the Future

The bootcamp demonstrated the importance of creating spaces where young people can learn, experiment, collaborate and lead.

Participants identified several important lessons from the experience, including the value of strong personal branding, discipline, confidence, adaptability and emotional intelligence. They also recognised the importance of financial literacy and digital skills in today's environment, while learning that innovation becomes more meaningful when it is directed towards solving real community challenges.

The project-pitch experience further reinforced the importance of clear communication, structured presentations, teamwork and collaboration when seeking support for community initiatives.

Our Commitment to Youth Leadership

The Rotary Club of Kitante believes that empowering young people is one of the most effective ways of building stronger communities and preparing for the future.

By supporting programmes such as RYLA, the Club provides young people with opportunities to develop their leadership capacity, discover their strengths, connect with mentors and translate ideas into meaningful service.

The Club remains committed to working alongside Rotaractors and other young leaders to nurture a generation that can innovate, adapt and create lasting impact.

Project Documentation

Read the Full RYLA 2026 Report

For a detailed account of the programme, including its objectives, activities, lessons learned and participant experience, download the full project report.