ROTARACT CLUB OF KAMPALA WEST Issue 5 2

Western Times we mean rotaract

October 2013

ROTARACT CLUB OF KAMPALA WEST | ©2013 IN THIS ISSUE

Hi there, I salute you all. It has been an amazing first quarter of the Rotary year. I am quite certain that the second one will even be more exciting! The months seem to be running faster than we can contain but at Kampala West, we are making the most of every moment to serve the community and of course having a lot of fun. So much fun that some members (in the words of AIGP Asan Kasingye) are now walking in italics.

We take vocations very seriously and this month we shall be honoring someone who has been true to the cause of vocational service. Want to know who? Stay tuned to this space. Ever wondered what life would be like as a RI Exchange Student? Keep reading for some inspiration. I over heard someone say that RI President Ron Burton will be in town in a couple of weeks. I therefore hope you already registered and also upgraded to PHF status to rub shoulders with him! In the meantime enjoy this issue of the Western Times.

Proudly sponsored by the Rotary Club of Kampala West

Bright Onapito Public Relations Director and Editor Rotaract Club of Kampala West

My Rotaract Experience One Rotaractor’s journey and life as an international exchange student

Page 4

Are We Safe? What you need to know about concealed weapons

Page 6

Editor’s Note

WESTERN TIMESWE MEAN ROTARACT | Issue5 2

October is here and in Uganda, the Independence fever is on as the nation celebrates 51 years as a Sovereign State. In Rotary it’s the Vocational Service Month, this should get us thinking about the 1

st and 2

nd

goals of Rotaract, that is “To develop professional and leadership skills” and “To emphasize the respect of the rights of others, promote ethical standards and the dignity of all useful Occupations” respectively.

We must use our vocations to create positive change in our communities, as we do this we need to support the professional growth of each and every one of our Club members. We live in a borderless and diverse society which requires us to respect the diversity around us: be it culture, race, and religion; even when the views of others may be so divergent from our own norms. As we practice our vocations, we must do so with dignity and integrity for without integrity our reputations are at risk and what is a ‘man’ or ‘woman’ without his/her reputation.

As the RI President joins us in November let us mark those dates and welcome him and other delegates in true Ugandan style.

Having already enjoyed a lot this month including a tour of Rtn. Marcella’s Fish Farm, the Singing and Dancing competition and the highly billed Ssese hand washing project, there is still a lot lined up in terms of Rotaract activities this month and next, so let me start off by inviting you to the Annual Kampala West Boat cruise slated for the 2

nd of

November 2013. The second edition of the Professional leadership dialogues will be held on 30

th November. Let us make it bigger

than the first. See you at the bowling challenge (26

th October), not forgetting as

we have fellowship through service.

As you enjoy the Western Times, I leave you with a great quote I picked from the New Generations dinner by the Rotaract Club of MUST in Mbarara. “The little we can do, we must do.”

Emmanuel Wanyama President, Country Projects Coordinator 2013-2014

Rotaract Club of Kampala West

Daphnee Raynaud

______________________________________

Contributors:

Bright Onapito

Daphnee Raynaud

Emmanuel Wanyama

Ivan Kalungi

Latima Kayondo

Rotaractor of the Month

And the winner is…

President’s

Remarks

WESTERN TIMESWE MEAN ROTARACT | Issue5 3

Life is like a journey into the wilderness, nobody knows how to make it work sometimes which is okay because imagine God was with us physically. The truth hurts and we are afraid of what we don't know but yet again it may not be wise to hurt what we can’t kill. May be we could choose to be like Nike and just do it. Choice is a term that lies between priority and opportunity cost; the choices we make are those that portray who we are and what we want to be. As Africans and more so Ugandan youth we need to accept who we are and appreciate ourselves more, learn to think and have self-evaluation sessions more intensively and extensively before choices are made. The definition of choice can also vary from one person to another. Our resident correspondent TB will look at this as fate and destiny. Ideally my President Emma will give it a leadership spin and consider it a decision made, I don't know about Yosam but it could

be endurance to him, and they are all right in their various capacities. Let us think more about how much more we can do with how much we have other than about how much we have. I am always baffled at how someone can turn up for an interview and then place their expensive gadgets and latest gizmos including their car keys on the table in an attempt to show off who they are; as if to say DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?! I certainly don’t think any smart employer would be interested or look out for that. It’s (probably only) in Uganda that people expect vehicles to stop for them while crossing the road at spots without zebra crossings and that's life because nobody knows. Others say life is short, yes because nobody knows, but I suppose that is a cowardly move. Alright then throw yourself on the road so you can get hit by a bus, or maybe boost your reputation with a splash appearance in one of the tabloids walking along with Johnnie having a moment of self-destruction! You can manage what you don't understand but you can’t lead what you don't understand. May be I stand to be corrected sometimes, and yes that's life because nobody knows how to make it work. Like the humble school that raised me, we shall reach the shore. I remain yours truly,

President Elect, Membership Director,

Rotaract Club of Kampala West

.

On Saturday 28th

September, the Rotary fraternity in Uganda witnessed the first annual Rotaract debate at Hotel Africana. Eloquence set the mood, intellect filled the air. Gentlemen of all calibers graced the function, fine Rotarians in their distinguished capacities, organizers and well-wishers. The debaters looked confident well suited with knowledge which they were perhaps dying to unleash at the earliest possible opportunity; knowledge in fact about R.I president Mr. Ron Burton and his initiative motion; ENGAGE ROTARY,CHANGE LIVES. At this juncture therefore allow me to admit that it felt like a milestone to have been party and perhaps a main player in this elite battle; thanks to my club president Emanuel Wanyama.

The Rotaract Debate: My Experience

By Latima Kayondo

Ivan Tells Tales By Ivan Kalungi

WESTERN TIMESWE MEAN ROTARACT | Issue5 4

After a rather expensive tea, it was time for the main course; the debate!

It was completed by a large audience and a rather seemingly unbiased panel of three judges. Presentations were opened by a one Kenny Ran with an inspiring story that formed quite the first step to joining Rotary and changing lives. Two other debaters followed suit with their own perception of the motion; all confident, factually articulate and grammatically well-orchestrated. That of course happened before I came in as a representative for the Rotaract club of Kampala West.

Confidently, I met the expectant gazes of the audience telling them about how there could never be a future without a history, in fact telling them about how Rotary could change lives relying on its solid history of being at the epitome of philanthropy. This was met with quite a thunderous applause and now rather than being nervous; I became more confident, confident that I could express all the crammed information given to me by Wan. To be rather thankful, I must say that his percentages were quite accurate, the rotary water projects, cancer run and the polio movement since 1979 seemed very well researched. Quite magically women admission became an issue well-presented such that at the end of my presentation, the audience was wowed not solely because of the eloquent young speaker before their eyes, but also by Kampala West’s rather precise and yet diverse knowledge and information about Rotary.

At the end of it all I was tipped; and to be precise, I was almost sure to win, only that when announcements were made I was disappointed to come a distant 3

rd (read 2

nd

runner up), with no half million shilling cheque to my name, not even to the club. Even more disappointing was the fact that when certificates were given, there was no representative member from Kampala West; not a shoulder to lean on for my (apparent) disappointments, which left me wondering. But thanks to power of this dot com era, the members were following the events on Whatsapp where I was applauded for my efforts using emoticons of smileys and thunderous claps. SMH! For now though, we shall remain strong, praying and hoping against all hopes that God blesses the ROTARACT CLUB OF KAMPALA WEST. To that effect we shall toast, not to just Kampala West, but TO ROTARY THE WORLD OVER!

Member Rotaract Club of Kampala West

As a Rotaractor applying to become a Rotarian, I was asked to talk about my Rotaract experiences and why I wanted to

become a Rotarian. Thinking about it, I was not really sure about what I could add to all the articles my peers have written about being a Rotaractor and the different events, services and things we are doing.

Still I wanted to explain why I was happy to be part of Rotary International (RI) and why I wanted to become a full Rotarian. Generally in Uganda when it comes to talk about the Rotary family, we present the Mother Rotary Club and the different programs they offer to empower the new generation: Rotaract, Interact and RYLA. However the first time I was in contact with the RI, I was 17 years old. I had arrived a year before in France from Africa and I was depressed by this new life. I had grown up surrounded by family, friends and quite busy parents. In France I had lost all of them and had my mum always at home checking on me. I didn’t like my new high school and I became a stupid teenager who just wanted to be far from her family.

How I got Involved So when I heard of RI having an Exchange Student Program, It became clear that I should apply. RI was giving the opportunity to young people from 15 to 19 years old to go abroad for a full year, back to my time, but nowadays it can be also from 1 to 6 months. They become international students and they are hosted by local Rotary clubs which will generously host them, provide room and board with family, will pay and send them to school and finally will give a monthly stipend. Participants are responsible for Round-trip airfare, Insurance and spending money on additional things. However depending on the financial situation of the student, RI can also provide it.

But it wasn’t so easy, none of my family and people I knew where Rotarians and I needed

My Rotaract Experience

By Daphnee Raynaud

WESTERN TIMESWE MEAN ROTARACT | Issue5 5

to find a club which would agree to sponsor me and accept my application at District level. There were 3 clubs in my town and only 2 were part of this program. I had more chance to be selected. Besides, the person in charge of application in the club was the director of another high school. With my parents support, I called him and explained I wanted to meet him and join the program. He agreed and during 1 hour meeting he explained me I would have to apply formerly to the club, I would have to provide my resume and grades, I would have to validate my A ‘level results and I would have to pass an interview. If I was selected, the club would send my application as sponsor to the district and I would also have to pass another interview. They also told me departure for exchange program was in August for countries in North hemisphere and February for South. Passing the Interviews

Well I guess the first good impact of Rotary was to make me change from stupid teenager to hard worker student. During November 1999, the club

interviewed 3 candidates and they selected me. I had passed the 1st level of selection and was going to meet the Exchange Program District Committee in January 2000 to whom I would officially apply to go to USA. However things didn’t go as I had expected. First it was not an interview; they had already decided I was selected. Then they explained to me that the rules were very strict for Exchange Students, starting with the 4 Ds (no Date, no Drinks, no Drugs and no Drive), not a lot of going outs and follow orders by host club and family whatever they are. I would be leaving with a Rotarian family, would go to a local high school and would be under control of a Rotary host club. I wouldn’t be able to come back in France and see my family for one year. I would have to buy a one-year open ticket and my host club would have right to send me back at any moment if I was misbehaving. Besides they told me I had to give a list of very different countries since a lot of student wanted to go to USA or English speaking countries as Canada, Australia and South Africa.

My Country Choices

I was a bit shocked by all this information but my decision to go abroad was already made. So I chose USA, Japan, Mexico and Taiwan… don’t ask me why, until now I still don’t know why I chose those countries, I didn’t have much time to think about and I just gave a list. The District was really emphasizing than

being a Rotary Exchange Student is being an ambassador of your District, your country and also the RI. On that day they also took my measurements since each Student Exchange is supposed to have a jacket which will represent your country and on which you will have your District and RI blazon. The jacket color can be different from a country to another, France one is royal blue. This jacket is to be the symbol of your exchange experience.

The Final Call

In March 2000, I received a call from the District that went something like, “Hello Daphnee, congratulations you are going to Japan!”… Ok I really thought I would get my first choice, so it was another shock for me and my parents. They asked if I was OK with this decision and I mumbled something like I was enchanted even if I didn’t know why. Apparently RI had decided I would be perfect for Japan and since I wanted to go abroad and be part of this program, I didn’t even try to change their mind.

From this moment, things went fast. My Japan Experience I graduated in July 2000 and one month later I was flying to Japan…. Where I knew nobody and I didn’t even speak the language. I was directly taken charge of by Rotarians. I spent my first week at the District President’s house who taught me about RI and Japanese values. Then I was sent to my first host family, met my host club which also became a family to me and make sure I was coming for their fellowship every Thursday lunch and I started school in a Japanese High school. A month later, I was invited to a district meeting specially organized for Exchange students where I met the other Exchange students coming from different countries including Japanese former and Exchange-to-be students.

I can’t say Japan was love at first sight. It took me 2 months to adjust. The first month was hard and I was

crying every single night in my room. I had horrible headache since both my English and the local people’s English was poor and I couldn’t understand any Japanese. Moreover I

was missing my family and friends.

But my host club, family and school did all their best to make me feel at home by caring and ensuring I felt I was belonging to the place. If my beginning was difficult I got over-it thanks to the Rotary spirit and when I left a year later the pain was even stronger.

This is one of the best experiences I had in my life. It changed me a lot and at some point It turned me into positive, more mature and open-minded person. From the stupid and capricious teenager I was, I started being a responsible and grateful young adult. From RI I received one of the most beautiful gifts I could

expect so when I met Moses with his Rotaract pin on his shirt, just coming from his fellowship; it appeared clearly to me it was time for pay-back and to embrace again the Rotary spirit.

Member Rotaract Club of Kampala West

WESTERN TIMESWE MEAN ROTARACT | Issue5 6

Just a month ago we were caught off guard and shocked to the core when some extremists attacked an upscale mall in Nairobi and shed innocent blood. Considering that I work in a mall (in an upscale location by sheer coincidence) I found myself wondering what I would have done differently if such catastrophe befell me.

With the Police issuing a red alert, security has naturally been heightened all around the city of Kampala. The checks are more thorough and Police officers are stationed at the entrances of many public places. Personally I have to endure two (irritating) checks before I can get to my work place. But I still find myself asking if the security personnel are doing enough to ensure that you and I are safe. Do they know what they are looking for? Are the metal detectors able to identify all potential weapons? What kinds of things are potent lethal weapons that the available scanners might not detect? After doing some research I discovered a couple of things that could easily go undetected by conventional scanners which you need to lookout for:

Cell Phone Gun

Although cell phone guns are rare, they are being used by drug cartels and organized crime rings in some places around the world. Terrorism and drug trafficking are synonymous so it is possible that these concealed weapons could find their way here. Watch out for people that have rugged phones that tend to look like satellite phones.

Pen Guns

At first I thought these gadgets only belonged to the silver screen. I have only known James Bond to own one of these! However, a .22 caliber single shot pen gun is actually for real and can be purchased for $500 (slightly over 1 million UGX). With our lax enforcement, I wouldn’t be surprised if these devices are in the country.

Stun Guns

Mobile phones are by far the most carried around electronic devices. It is no surprise that new concealed weapons are now being disguised to look like them, including stun guns. It deliver up to 3 million volts and costs $45 (slightly over 100,000 UGX). Such voltage is enough to cause fatality/death.

So don’t leave security to the security guards and Police. Next time you walk through a metal detector and security asks you to place your pens and cell phones in a basket outside the detector, remind them to also pass them through the scanner. The only trouble is that they might not know what they are looking for! Feel free to share this with everyone and let us do our part to keep our country safe.

Your Feedback “Thank you for the good work. My appreciation to the club for being innovative in ensuring you enjoy Rotary in a more educative and productive way-vocational tour of Kakira Sugar Factory. Keep it up.”

Robinah Kirinya

IPP, Rotary Club of Kampala West

****

“Dear Bright and the editorial team at Kampala West, thank you for this bulletin, it is very well put together, with content from the members, clearly showing Rotary in Action.”

Winnie Karungi

DRR D9211 2013/14, Rotaract Club of Kampala City

We would love to hear from you

Email: rotaractkampalawest@gmail.com

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Are We Safe?

By The Editor