This November I commenced my official club visits in Tanzania and experienced the extraordinary power of Rotary in transforming communities.
My visits started with RC Arusha West Side. Their key strength is their ability to organize entertaining and interesting events that have evolved into super fundraisers. The monthly trivia and triathlon, for example, raised TZS 18 million which will be used to fund humanitarian programs aimed primarily at empowering adolescents. The previous year, the club donated $20,000 to different humanitarian initiatives.
I was pleased to meet my Assistant Governors where we discussed the successes, difficulties, and best course of action for maximizing the potential of the Rotary in Arusha. I applaud the Rotary clubs for the significant good they have already done for the Arusha community. As we imagined Rotary, we focused on the opportunities and explored various solutions to some of the challenges our AGs reported.
I was ecstatic to visit the project which has received funding from Rotary clubs in Germany and Arusha clubs. The Rotary Club of Arusha Mount Meru’s present efforts at St Elizabeth Hospital are targeted at reversing the approximately 50% of preterm newborns that die in Arusha due to a lack of incubation. I also had a fruitful chat with members of the Rotary Club of Arusha Mount Meru, noting the Rotary Club’s outstanding performance in sponsoring and assisting other clubs. Following the club meeting, we spent the evening at Kibo Palace celebrating 20 years of service to the communities. It was a pleasure to welcome two new members and to host the Mayor of Arusha as well as Rotarians from Sweden.
The vibrant Rotaract Club of Arusha city has a list of tremendous projects implemented since its charter in 2018. I participated in a blood donation drive that included the RC of Arusha Mt Meru, RC Arusha, the Fistula project and ROLI.
At the Rotary Club of Arusha, I visited the Arusha School Wash project, a collaboration between multiple institutions (AUWSA, VEI, W4L and Arusha city council). The project has impacted over 28,633 pupils in 19 schools. In addition to the school project, the club has implemented a $1.4M GG community rainwater harvesting project to provide sustainable access to water hygiene facilities in Arusha city to over 145,000 people.
The Rotary Club of Njiro Arusha has ventured into impactful projects and growing the community. The visit to one of the projects done by the club started with a tree planting project that was done at a school. Rotarians continue to inspire the young generation in joining the efforts to make the world a better place.
Rotary Club of Babati, located over 160 kilometers from Arusha city and with a membership of only 9 members has implemented very impactful projects in the neediest communities. The club donated critical medical equipment to Bashnet Hospital that included an ultrasound, blood bank refrigerator, Oxygen concentrator and Autoclave. This donation has improved quality of health care services at the hospital, provided easy access to critical care for which the community always more travelled 60 kilometers, and saved lives that would be lost due to long distance referrals,
RC Karatu, a youthful club in the Northern zone, located more than 150 kilometers from Arusha has completed an environmental project that provides “Rotary branded” dustbins around the community while also saving the environment.
I also had an opportunity to meet Rotaract Leaders from seven Dar es salaam Rotaract Clubs. We discussed progress to-date and potential solutions to some of the challenges Rotaract clubs are experiencing, and strategies to develop Rotaract in Tanzania. The Rotaractors guaranteed that a RYLA will be held in early March 2023.
The climax of my first week was the Goat Race organized by RC Dar es Salaam Oyster Bay. The Rotary Goat Races is the main fundraising event of RC Dar es Salaam Oyster Bay, and the goal was to earn 70 million Tanzania shillings for the Club’s numerous Service Projects, including the Scholarship Project. Over 50 Rotaractors volunteered throughout the Races, ensuring the event’s success. This illustrated the collaboration of Rotarians and Rotaractors.
I would like to thank PDGs Harish and Sharmila Bhatt for hosting me and my Ann, and all AGs, District Leaders, and Presidents in Dar es Salaam to a sumptuous dinner where we bonded and reflected on our Rotary ways.