MY ROTARACT STORY by Liz Wangui

It feels like yesterday when I learnt about clubs and societies in campus. I would say my
interesting part of campus begun when I became not only a member but a proud
member of the Rotaract Club of Multimedia University. The first few months in campus are really boring, I must admit that. I could spend days doing nothing apart from school work,making friends, partying and a lot more stuff that we all can relate to.
June 19th 2017, a few years after joining campus is when I took a membership oath at the
Rotaract club of Multimedia University. This happened a few months after I joined the club.
One evening as I was walking home a good friend of mine, who was among the few ones I
trusted and kept close to me, asked me to accompany him for a meeting in school. But since I
was just outside the school gate I kinda resisted but as usual men always have their ways to
convince ladies.
I remember giving him excuses, I needed to drop my bag first then come back since the meeting
was to start a bit late, which was a lie and I was to meet someone in Rongai, which was still a lie.
But as I said men always have their way of convincing women.
Fast forward, I was convinced, dropped my bag and later joined him for the
meeting. The first meeting scared me, since I had to introduce myself in front of a crowd of
totally new people and the English those people used heee, I definitely knew there’s no way
I’m fitting in.
It was an interesting meeting but the struggle was real. I can’t even tell how I became a member
but I’m grateful my friend introduced me to Rotaract. He brought change into my life. I never
thought I would ever stand in front of people and talk about myself since those were the baby
steps we all make before joining the club, despite having taken a course that required much
talking.
The club would organize for weekend events, like chapati forums, tree planting, clean ups and I
made sure I was part of them. These activities gave me so much contentment, I always felt “soul
satisfied” whenever we went to a children’s home, or a feeding home and spent a whole day with
these people who need us.
Days passed, weeks passed, months passed and before too long I became a club director. I
remember that day, when George’s board was exiting office; they were supposed to choose the
next board. Having spent like two months in the club, booom! I became part of the board.
I remember my predecessor pointing at this “kafresh” blood saying she wants me to take over. I
was shocked since I used to see her but never interacted with her before. Finance is a big docket
and taking over and having never dealt with people’s money was a big deal for me.
The president then, had sat across me and I remember asking him out loud, “si ni pesa tu?” He
and some pretty little girl who sat next to her, giggled saying, “eeh, ni pesa tu” and that was it. I became the Finance Director unopposed.
My service to the Rotaract Club of Multimedia University was exemplarily beautiful. I have
since then gained so many skills among them, documenting which is report writing, taking up
responsibilities, leadership, organizing events and meetings, planning, time keeping, being as
formal as I can, being social in any new space, meeting deadlines, just to mention a few.
I’m glad that I took up the challenge as a joke and ended up performing much more than I
expected. This has taught me that no task is a challenge, if a challenge is in front of you and it
appeals to you, just go ahead and conquer it.
Something else I’ve learnt is that leadership is sweet. You just need to know the way, use the way
and show the rest the way, but don’t manage thinking that you are leading. Management and
leadership are two different things. Management is doing things right while leadership is doing
the right things.
I can’t fail to mention three major events that I have been part of:  RYLA-2018 at the
Pelican Lodge, DCA-2019 at the Coast, RYLA-2019 at Kakamega Forest. We have made
decisions that we might have regretted at some point in life but these events are not those kinds
of bad decisions. Haha. Waking up in luxurious hotels, having meals at a buffet, having good
times with Rotaractors, strolling on the coastal beach collecting shells, night trails in the rain
forest are just some of my most memorable moments being a Rotaractor.
I’m happy that I’m still gaining from Rotaract and still serving the community.
Rotaract is the best place to be especially in your youth. It has become my second home,
Roataractors are my family.
I’m a proud Rotaractor at Service who was recently part of the RYLA 2019 Committee which
organized the Kakamega Forest Camp and also currently serving as the International Service
Director of The Rotaract Club of Langata.

Elizabeth Wangui
International Service Director
Rotaract club of Lang'ata.
Wazzzzuuuuur