Social / Club Topic Meeting

Thursday 18^th October 2018 NaomeKayondo - ‘Rotaract in Uganda’

We were very lucky (as arrangements were made with Jane at 5.30pm!) and honoured to receive Naome as our guest this evening.  She is in the final stages of completing and being awarded a Master of Science in Real Estate at Nottingham Trent University and the reason for her visit is linked to the fact that she plays cricket, at the National level for Uganda, but now also for Bingham Cricket Club. On one occasion when the Bingham Fair was on she went to it and discovered our Vale of Belvoir Rotary stand and spoke to Neil, who in turn, put her in contact with Jane. This was back in the summer and obviously Naome has been studying hard and whilst she couldn’t make contact with a Rotaract Club, she decided it was time to make acquaintance with us.

As it was programmed as a ‘Social evening’, naturally Jane put her ‘on the spot’ and asked if she could talk to us about Rotaract in Uganda and herself.  Which she did with great aplomb, skill and enthusiasm.

She is a member of the Rotaract Club of Kampala Ssese Islands, having been inducted in 2014 and risen up the service and leadership levels to Vice President, which she had to resign from due to her further studies in England.  She is a Valuation Surveyor and her club has various professionals like Lawyers, Engineers, Doctors, Bankers, Accountants and Sales personnel amongst others.  There are over 100 Rotaract Clubs in Uganda and they all take responsibility for a particular community, and her Club ‘looks after’ Ssese Islands alongside its mother club the Rotary Club of Kampala Ssese Islands.

Next weekend (26^th – 28^th Oct) they have their Annual Community Service Project on the Islands, where medical and service staff from other Rotaract Clubs join them to provide medical services to the Island community such as immunisation, dental tests, body check-ups and HIV testing. Last year they constructed a Ventilated Improved Pit latrine for the Banda Islands community; they also collected and distributed scholastic material and newspapers to help the island children with their education and to broaden their understanding of local, national and world issues. The project this year shall include free legal consultation as well as commissioning an Eco - san latrine.

Kampala Ssese Islands Rotaract Club has and is participating in Mission Green, an afforestation project focused on preserving the environment. The club is also working on an agro-based project in Banda Island which is starting out as growing food for subsistence and then once the islanders are covered, it is hoped to develop into a commercial farm programme that will address economic sustainability.

Despite the English weather (the cold specifically), she is enjoying her time in Nottingham, with the more ‘liberal’ environment and culture and is able to take advantage of the proximity of Europe and having some exploratory trips.

The final twist of coincidence in the tale of Naome is that whilst playing cricket for Bingham CC, our very own Umpire (Chris Henley) was officiating when Naome played, so they exchanged long stares of “I recognise that person, but can’t think where from”, when realisation finally hit Chris, he had to confess.

What a wonderful evening’s entertainment from a bubbly, smiling and very skilled presenter, which the Club showed their appreciation….and no doubt we will be seeing Naome again.

AR