THE PROUD ISLANDER

MEET THE RUG CLUB MEMBERS

By Roger Bjoroy-Karlsen

He is from the island of Guanaja, which Columbus visited on his fourth trip in 1502, and is a proud islander with many ideas to improve life for local communities. He is also a dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Roatan Utila Guanaja (RUG) and hopes that Rotary can facilitate many of the projects. For the year 2025–2026, he is part of the board and responsible for the Service and Environmental Projects. Meet the inspirator from the second largest island in the Bay Islands!

We met Mack Yovanne Baca Bennett (50) on Roatan after he participated in the visit from the Rotary District 4250 Governor, Diana Brown. He is here to learn and observe, gaining a better understanding of how to organize processes and promote them effectively. Occasionally, his phone rings now and then, and shows us that he is busy with many responsibilities. He has a loud, clear voice, and his jovial presence makes him easy to like.

He was born and raised on the island of Guanaja, aside from attending high school in Tegucigalpa, he has lived there all his life. He has a wife, four children, and four grandchildren. He is a certified dive instructor and supports diving operations on the Mesoamerican Reef with tourists. Additionally, he is a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and a certified forest ranger. When not at the ocean, he works as a construction helper and subcontractor. He is also deeply interested in the rich history of the Pech people (also known as Payan), the pirate history, and the fact that the island is an archaeological site. He is convinced that the indigenous Tainos were present even before the Pech on the island.

The certified dive instructor makes sure that the diving operations on the Mesoamerican reef with tourists are safe and sound. (Photo: Private)

He is committed to improving the island's communities and hopes that Rotary can contribute to reaching these goals and solutions:

“I want to channel every project through Rotary from now on, in cooperation with the community board, other organizations, and people on the island.”
His goal is to increase tourism, although the connectivity with the ferry from the island of Roatan still requires a higher frequency.

The District Governor's visit, along with visits to kindergartens and education centers, has further inspired him to organize projects on Guanaja. 

“We also need to promote what we have accomplished and the items we have delivered. We should start by putting stickers on them.”

Mack clearly understands the value of promotion. Among the items delivered through RUG are mortuary freezers and a dental chair.
During the interview, he outlined various approaches to Rotary projects and interactions with other organizations and people. There is no doubt that this gentleman possesses the drive necessary to sustain the projects on Guanaja. RUG will support him from all corners of the Bay Islands!