My Rotaract Story, President June

June Wangechi

President,

Rotaract Club of Nairobi Parklands

When Davies asked me to do this article I was taken aback for a moment. Mostly because I thought my story wasn’t the type to fill up a 500-page novel or earn a best-selling award like those I’ve read before on RAC MMU’s social media platforms… so, if you’re reading this, go easy on me…

I met Paul alias Picasso (yes, we all know and love him!) at an event at Streetnizers Boys Centre organized by Ready Aiders Foundation and Rotaract Club of Nairobi Parklands. Streetnizers is a rehabilitation home for young boys that were once roaming the streets with no care and basic commodities. You know them, you’ve seen them… be kind to them. These kids have probably seen more hopelessness and misery than their fair share in their lifetime, but that is a topic for another day, and this is not a tale of hopelessness and misery… I digress. So, the Centre has a home and a school in the same compound, and while we were enjoying a funny skit by the well-uniformed boys, I heard Picasso laugh. He’s got one of those laughs that make you turn your head back and be like who is that?! If you’ve heard it, you know… so I guess my big round beautiful eyes mesmerized him for a second and the universe stopped spinning… rainbows and lightning…etc etc… later, lunch was served and we got to talking and he told me about RCNP. After a few moments of chatting, blushing, throwing hair back and laughter and all those other things girls do when they can talk to someone and not want to pull your phone from your pocket, I was invited to the Clarion Hotel at 6:30pm the next Wednesday. I school at the University of Nairobi so after class, I rushed there… how could I not?

The first meeting was difficult. I enter into the room at 6pm and all these people are chatting and laughing away. Picasso asks me to say hi to them. I’m like, “Wote?” he nods and I know I can’t get out of this. So, I give the 5 or 6 people a firm handshake one by one because not many people can stand having their hands squeezed so hard for more than 2 seconds. After that uncomfortable session, I sat down at the seats in the back and put on a serious face. I’m an introvert so I needed a few minutes to come to terms with the fact that I’d have to remain in that room full of strangers for at least another two hours. Good grief! Needless to say, I was nervous the whole time, but at the end of it, I knew I’d be back next Wednesday. That was two years ago.

My experience as a Rotaractor as been, to say the least, extremely satisfying. The weekly meetings that have new and exciting guests, the opportunity to meet people in the Rotary family from different walks of life who come together for fun and fellowship, the transformational projects and the hangouts! Oh the hangouts! I can’t imagine my life without Rotary in it. Now that I’ve tasted (and seen) this other side, there’s no other way I’d rather live out my youth.

You see, when you first join Rotaract, you have no idea what you’ve just signed up for. You think because you were invited and you like (or at the very least tolerate) the person that invited you, you show up for a few meetings, you attend Sunshine Rally, you go back home tired as can be but you think back and you cant remember another time where you’ve seen so many special abled kids so happy and so many Rotarians, Rotaractors, and artists coming together to make the kids enjoy their day out in the sun. You participate in a project and your heart swells up with fulfillment… you make a few friends, attend trainings, RYLA and DCA, don’t sleep the whole time, have a few home fellowships and more hangouts at Karura Forest, and before you know it, you’re hooked! Rotary becomes that one thing that finds a home in your heart. This is my story… and every Rotaractor has theirs so I pray you make your own! Start now, tomorrow might be too late.

Serving RCNP this year as the President has been a game-changer. I started out a meek girl who gave a mean handshake but now I’ve discovered that a smile is more effective, and that people respond to how you treat them and not what you say. Leadership is demanding, sure, but when you are invested heart, mind, and soul, it comes almost naturally because you love the Club you’re in and more so the people in it who’ve become family.

I know I said I wouldn’t do 500 pages so… I’ll stop there for now. You are brave to have read till the end 😊. Come by RCNP, every Wednesday, 6:30pm, Clarion Hotel opposite Jeevanjee Gardens, and meet some lovely people & feel at home.

Many thanks to the leadership of RAC MMU for the chance to share my story.

Viva Rotary & Rotaract!

 

Cheers to Rotary and Rotaract world over.

Bless!

#serviceaboveself

#betheinspiration

#racmmucares

#TFTwithRacMMU

#TransformationalTuesdayswithracmmu

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