ROTARY THROUGH MY EYES
On Monday 16th August 2004, at the then Kampala International Conference Centre, presently Serena Hotel, the late Rotarian (Rtn.) Martin Kiyagga (may his Soul Rest In eternal Peace), inducted me thereby moving on from the Rotaract Club of Kololo to this impressive Rotary Club of Kampala South. It was the end of a 3 month transition between Rotaract and Rotary.
I have always known Rotary to be a service oriented organisation and am happy to note it has remained that way. Over the years I have seen many people that were almost hopeless being given a new lease of life and getting back to being hopeful.
Some have gotten safe and clean water where it hitherto was not present. The partially blind have been let to see by way of Cataracts operations, the disabled have acquired moderate movement either by use of acquired clutches or wheelchairs. Communities have been both educationally and economically empowered through Matching Grants and Adopt a Village models and quite many more achievements.
What many may not know, is that there are women and men, members of the Rotary Movement, that sacrifice their time, funds and vocations to ensure that these seemingly small achievements come to pass. And looking back, I am always grateful and happy to see mankind helping itself in such a manner.
I also appreciate that Rotary not only puts smiles on the less fortunate than most of us, but also gets to make us members of the Rotary fraternity improve on our own selves through the different guest speakers we have at our fellowships, we get to new developments going on around us. At almost every fellowship I attend am bound to learn something new that certainly broadens my perception of the world around us- an opportunity am not sure is that easily and freely available out there. The vocational tours that different clubs have also enlighten people on what is going on outside their ‘worlds’ and usually inspires others to venture out into related activities.
I cannot forget the various members from not only R.C Kampala South, but from other clubs too that have through my interactions with them in a way partly and positively shaped my worldly views.
Yet above all, the key thing to eternally remember is that we meet as members of the Rotary fraternity to serve those less fortunate than we are and thus a very befitting motto- ‘Service Above self’.
And so with that in mind, to the members and all partners of R.C Kampala South, here is to wishing you a happy twenty years of service and look forward to serving for many more to come.