October 2019 Brick Bulletin

Message from Connecting  President  Joyce Mpalanyi Magala

The Rotary Foundation enables Rotarians to invest in people by creating sustainable, measurable and long term economic improvements in their communities. Hence, the month of October is dedicated to Economic and community development. As Rotarians around the world we are called upon to “get involved in projects that support investments in people to create measurable and enduring economic improvement in their lives and communities among many others, building capacity to support economic growth, reduce poverty and create opportunities for work.”

The Brick October 2019

A flash back at the DGs visit on 7th September 2019 was a memorable day as the board meeting was held in a newly commissioned classroom block at Katwe Bweya in Wakiso district. We not only connected, but dined and danced away in the cool lake breeze at the home of by PP Jude Kaliisa who freely opened his gate for us to enjoy.

Thumbs up for Rtn Sylvia the MG Officer and our “youngest Rotarian” SSS who delivered the 4000 tree seedlings to RC Kajjansi Mission Green partner, Uganda Prisons Kasanje where 10 hectares of land are gradually being afforested. We thank God for the rains that have watered the seedlings immediately after the tireless effort by RC Kajjansi members who were supported by RC Bwebajja.

We thank PAG Peace for continuously raising RCK flag at many occasion and specifically at the recent Rotary Zonal Institute in Egypt. We acknowledge PAG Kaloli and the team who raised awareness and reviewed the club byelaws. PAG Rosemary Byanyima and IP Flavia thank you for your guidance and effective leadership respectively that earned RC Kajjansi a Rotary International Gold Citation by PRIP Rasin Barry.

The list is endless and I am truly humbled by the enormous effort and connections exhibited by all club members and the rotary family at various events. Let us keep the connecting spirit of service above self. We cannot wait to see the Bricks Buddy Group lead us through the month of Economic Empowerment.

Fun, Passion, and dedication as RC Kajjansi Monitors Projects in Buikwe
Saturday, 5th October 2019 started off as an otherwise ordinary day. The rotary club of Kajjansi under the stewardship of the Director of Projects, Rotarian Tenywa Godfrey had earlier scheduled a trip to Buikwe district, particularly to among other issues, visit the St. Padre Pio Rotary Technical institute in a small village called Lugoba and as well get acquainted with other community related activities in the area.

Rotarians, Rotractors and friends converged as early as 6:30 am at Nican Country resort. The team wasn’t without the current and past top leadership of the club. We set off in the company of our own connecting Rotarian President Joyce Mpalanyi Magala, immediate Past president Flavia Mujurizi Natukunda, past President Charles Magala, not forgetting the youngest Rotarian on board, none other than Sulpisio Ssemakula Ssemwogerere Konkomebi (SSS), who for some reason kept jovial throughout the trip. On board too, were Rotarians from Namasuba, Gaba Rotary Clubs and Rotaract clubs of Kajjansi & University of Kisubi. We are forever indebted to their support.
Fun, passion and dedication defined the trip that day.  This trip was not meant to be necessarily for fun but to primarily undertake rotary work in the area. The team was able to work as well as have fun. Rotary work begins in the community, and every community has its own unique needs and challenges. The team had the opportunity to experience this that day, in Buikwe district.

The team arrived at the St. Padre Pio Rotary technical institute at about 11:15 am and immediately took off to first visit two groups of Young Ladies being sponsored by the Baylor School of Medicine Children’s Foundation. Under the guidance of Brother Kizza the Principal of St. Padre Pio Rotary Technical Institute, we were able to meet and engage with two groups of young ladies, one at Makindu and another at Bubiiro skilling centers, undergoing vocational training in Tailoring & Hair dressing. Makindu training center has a population of 53 students while Bubiiro has 22 students. The young ladies are excited to be part of this training and are hopeful their livelihoods will change should they successfully complete the trainnings.

The groups enumerated various challenges they are faced with in this program; Ranging from inadequate training materials/Facilities to shelter, cooking facilities and transport. They stated that whereas they were wholly committed to the program, they are often affected by such challenges hampering steady progress in the trainings. They pleaded for appropriate interventions. Despite the challenges the students look forward to their graduation day where they have been promised to take with them work materials like sewing machines for those in the tailoring class and saloon equipment for the hair dressing class.
President Joyce Magala, PP Charles Magala, the Principal- Brother Kizza, Rotarians and Rotaractors underscored the great and rare opportunity the Ladies had got in such a program. The Ladies were enlightened about Rotary International. They were encouraged to take the program quite more seriously and as well take care of their lives more purposefully, to ensure that their efforts are not in vain. The Rotary team could only assure the ladies of their continued support going forward.

After about 2:45 p.m. it was time to return to the technical Institute which is the main campus facilitating the other two ladies groups. On our way back we passed by Maama Dan’s home to say hullo! This happens to be Maama Tenywa! She received us warmly and saw us off warmly.

Back at the Technical institute, we were able to inspect the facility and commission the newly constructed Men’s VIP toilet. Many thanks to the Projects Director and the projects team that pulled this off. It is imperative to note that the blocks, the metal work and the actual construction was undertaken by the institute’s learners! Kudos to the institute.
At the school assembly where we met the students of the institute, the student leaders & Staff were greatful for the opportunity that has been given to them by Rotary club of Kajjansi. Brother Kizza the principal of the institute mentioned the courses offered at the institute; tailoring, hair styling, Fashion & design, Carpentry & Joinery, welding, cookery and Agriculture which is a compulsory unit.


The institute like their sister branches is also faced with some challenges; Mainly, Lack of an Incinerator, Lack of safe drinking water, Unstable Utility Power and if the principal’s projection of higher numbers at the institute in the coming year is anything to go by, inadequate classroom blocks. The institute also still has a challenge of attracting members of the community to the institute, most of their students come from other districts. Needless to mention, Rotarians need to widen their scope of imagination in as far as curbing these challenges in the coming years is concerned.

By and large, the trip was such an exciting; rewarding and enlightening one in as far as identifying opportunities to serve Humanity through the various Six focus areas is concerned. I am sure all of us are looking forward to such an opportunity very soon.  What started as an ordinary Saturday ended up as a great day! Thank you all who attended.

My trip to Rotary Zone Conference in Egypt

By PAG Peace Taremwa MD

My first time to attend a Zonal conference was at Munyonyo (oba Zone 21A – The African English speaking Districts) when I was very new in Rotary and I was honoured to receive my PHF pin and pendulum from the RI President, Ray.

Fast forward, I looked forward to the widely advertised first ever Zone 22 conference in Egypt and despite the office engagement I had during that week, I decided to take on a night flight.

There was this Sarah, a key organizer who was like a computer, before you finish asking for any particular item, she would give the answer. Her actions were REAL TIME and she made my arrangements too smooth. I was glad when I delivered to her gits of coffee and some “kaleesu”

I knew I had read the information on the flier so well and some how, that the conference was somewhere in Cairo at a place called Sham el sheikh. My “until death does us apart” was very ready to escort me and we took on Egypt Air where they serve too much and too good food and lots of soft drinks. I forgot to take the other “drinks” at least on “the head !” On reaching Cairo, ready for the after break session and later on a Major Donors and Ach Klump Society Luncheon for which I was on schedule,  I called my Sarah to send me a car. To my surprise and disbelief, she informed me that we were more than 500km away and it would take me about six hours if we hired a limosine from the airport or about eight hours by bus. The possibility of a plane was only by charter since the next flight was expected the following day at 7:00am. At this point, I realised that Omungari wala !  Instantly, I aquired a payable of USD 150 and six hours to Sham el sheikh. Next time , I will take a geography lesson before I travel.

Our now new type of journey took us through the real desert and I got an opportunity to travel such a long distance along a sandy environment. Literary all roads avoided hills and it was a pleasant ride with our English illiterate driver and his Arabic illiterate passengers. He confessed he loves smoking but not beer. I responded that I love beer but not cigarettes, either way, we were partners in crime. We endured many road blocks as they reminded us that we were africans until I asked him whether Egypt was ever shifted to another continent! At one of the road blocks where we were expected (they really communicate from the point of first checking until the hotel of destination) they were waiting for Canadians not “Ugandananians” that we had become. At some point we moved out for a kodak moment and to allow the smoker do his bit. This took some few minutes and all of a sudden a police patrol car had come in to help us, if we had any “challenges”. 

As we moved, I realied that if we continue cutting trees on top of our hills, we would one day get such bare hills. I admired how they appreciated the rather permanent sun and have installed solar panels at each of their telecommunication masts. No need to divert an electricity line to serve a mast. I loved the stop over benches, which are just a turn off from the main road. 

Towards 7:00pm, the environment was getting cosy with rich traffic and street lights. The driver was quick to announce that we were getting to the tourist city, Sham el sheikh. He told us how the city had been “hired” to Saudi Arabia and was now growing at first class rate. At 19:35 hrs, we were ushered into our reserved hotel and guess what, the first person to see and receive us was DG Xavier. He gave us a brief of what was going on and welcomed us to the closing ceremony due the following day! 

Since we had not bought a local sim card (ignore why not) , our communication to other colleagues was off and I chose to roam the night with the vigilant West Africans as my spouse chose to rest. One DG of Benin who eventually became my buddy asked why they endeavour to learn some English and I was adamant to learn some French. We agreed that when he comes to Uganda in 2020,  we shall be speaking French (pray for me).

Our registration fee was reduced to 50% since we were now paying for one day. I used the morning to attend and listen to the super good speakers, Rotarians talking of Africa in 2063. I saw forward planners, I saw planning when none will be around to enjoy their sweat, I listened to CVs that made me look the small I am. I was consoled that at least I have what to look forward to, I was greatly inspired.  During the break I took the opportunity to take pics with the RIPE, our RID/ Vice RIP, our District 9211 Governors. I was in a sea of District Governors past and present and Major Donors. At self introduction time, they must have waited for me to tell them what my industry back home produces, in vain !  Many were big time manufacturers, producers for different continents and world class CEOs. I only told them how I am a good worker who gets remuneration regularly (never mind whether they wondered what I was doing in their midst).  I just realized that there is more I need to do.

As the closing  ceremony  went on, we recognized the new AKS members. The communique was shared and its available on the Rotary website. You could realise how humanity loves gifts/ being appreciated. The strong women and men gave speeches on how they had taken long without receiving gifts ! They were all praise of Rotary.

In the evening, our eight executive buses were escorted by police vehicles for a serious treat some 30 minutes away on the foothills of a rocky sand hill. The Arabic songs turned many great men and women seen during the day to queen dancers at night. The Nigerians were so good because they had some memory sticks with their music. They too danced crazy. My other Sarah came and whispered to me that if we have Uganda music, I would share it. Rotarian after Rotarian, no one had any Uganda Music and that’s why we opted to dance to anything that came through the loudspeakers. At 11pm, it was time to close and our police which was keeping a keen eye, retuned us to our hotels. 

Some of us abebigele, found it cheaper to set off from Sham el sheikh at 1:00am so that we could enjoy Cairo. At 8:35am on Sunday we were in Cairo where our taxi driver and guide took us literary everywhere, including pyramids, churches and mosques. 

I was however not excited with the cleaniliness as much of Cairo looked as clean as Kalerwe on a market day and Bwaise when it has not rained. It was a complete contrast of Sham el Sheikh. The driving habits come second to those in our Kampala Old Taxi Park. In one of the historic churches, we prayed for our son Emmanuel and all candidates in Uganda since on that day, there was dedication in many Uganda schools.

At 7:00pm, our new driver, when asked about the beer, he said, “I love him” and I proposed we take the remaining bottles from the airport where he works. When we reached, I telephoned his boss to check on him if he was to continue working for the evening.

Jjanyi children immunised against Polio and other killer diseases

As it is the normal routine of Rotary Club of Kajjansi to carry out routine immunisation against Polio and other killer diseases, Saturday October 12, 2019 was no exception. Although it rained heavily, mothers could not be stopped from bringing their children to receive these free medical services.

President Joyce Magala giving a child a dose of  polio vaccine at Jjanyi (Photo by Hannington Sebuliba)

By 9:00am, the place where immunisation takes place every second Saturday of the Month, was full of mothers and their children. The medical officers started by giving some health talk to these mothers especially about  measles which is now becoming very rampant in the country.

More and more mothers and their children came in during the rain to be attended to. When the rains intensified, we had to shift from the open area to the local council chairman's office.

It was a time for all rotarians to get involved in the vaccination exercise as each one of them had something to do. This showed how well they were connecting with the communities in which they are living in.

Rtn. Tenywa immunising a child at Jjanyi

Rtn. Walakira also had his turn of giving a child a polio dose

Rtn. Barbara Kawere giving a child a Polio vaccine dose

The young children who had come to get de-worming tablets would each leave the immunisation place after getting biscuits courtesy of Rotary club of Kajjansi.

Maama Betesi who had brought her two children for immunisation was all praises "lotale ya Kajjansi tugyebaza okutuwonya okutundigga eggeendo ly'eKisubi n'Entebbe okugema abaana baffe" literary translated as "we thank Rotary club of Kajjansi for bringing services nearer to us. We no longer go to Kisubi or Entebbe for immunisation"

working on children inside the LC Chairman's office

Rtn. Esther registering children who had come to take deworming tablets

AUGUST 2019 BRICK BULLETIN

The Brick Magazine 2019

Welcome to the new RY 2019/2020, first, I would like to congratulate you on the epic installation ceremony that enabled our club to commit to new goals and targets towards connecting with families, community and the world. The Rotary strategic priorities focus on “increasing our impact, expanding our reach, enhancing participant engagement and increasing ability to adapt.” No wonder, July the month of planning has been an eventful one. Appreciation goes to everyone who engaged in one activity or the other with highlights of the Cancer Run launch where our own PAG Juliet is the Chair, the training initiative by PAG Peace and the Entebbe Road corridor solidarity should be fully embraced towards accessing the Global Grants Applications. The creative and innovative Bricks buddy group under the leadership of PN Alex Kamukama has emphasized our roles and responsibilities to be effective Rotarians. The club attendance at 56% can be well improved upon! Let us encourage our friends of the year to participate, give to TRF and increase our visibility by connecting with rotary clubs and events. The incredible team which braved the rain to get our future Rotarians immunized at Jjanyi thank you giving the little angels a chance to live polio free. The projects team working tirelessly on the assessment for Katwe Bweya is much appreciated.

Let us usher in the Bricks Buddy group for the membership month which is the backbone of Rotary led by Rtn Ritah Nakasaawe. We expect a member’s satisfaction survey to be conducted, attracting more members through engagement of our regular guests and participation at the Cancer Run, the Family Health Day which is round the corner and preparations for the DG’s visit on 11^th September 2019.

Finally, our prayers for Rtn Stanley who is undergoing treatment in India, Rtn Mary Nagganda who lost a grandparent and our Ann to PAG Ddamulira Joseph who needs total healing.

All club members, “Alluta Continua.”

August is the designated month for Membership and New Club Development. And as we are all aware, “Membership” is the number one internal priority of Rotary International. Why? Because membership is one of the pathways through which we can extend our footprint and enhance the impact of our projects.

As District Governor, one of my roles is to encourage clubs to increase our membership. And the statistics show that clubs have taken heed. We are bringing in new members. We are forming new clubs and our district is one of the fastest growing Rotary districts in the world. Sadly however, our district is also continuously losing members. Over the last four years, we have been losing an average of 200 – 300 members a year!! And so the question is - why are our clubs so porous? Therefore as we celebrate this month, it is imperative that we focus on the retention of the people who come through our doors.

Keeping members is a sign of a club’s stability and well-being – just the same way retaining personnel in a company indicates a good working environment and stable organization. Conversely, consistently losing members is an indicator of gaps somewhere.
I often hear from clubs that members are dropping out because they are unable to regularly attend weekly meetings. And yes, that is partially true and
we must address it. In this day and age – where people have so many competing demands on their
time, we must change our strategy to reflect the changing times. We must exercise more flexibility in the way we run our clubs, applying the options given by the Council on Legislation. We must be mindful of the demands on our members’ time, and should never expect our members to make a choice between their families and Rotary, or their work and Rotary.

But beyond tweaking a few things, we need to do
some introspection. What is it that our clubs are not doing that makes it difficult for some members to commit to us? What is it that we offering our
members that would make them forsake everything else, for an hour each week, to attend our club fellowships? Put simply: what is our club’s value proposition? It is important for everybody, as it is for you and me, to ensure that we value our time and money and how we spend it. What that means for us in Rotary is to make an intentional effort to ensure that we are providing our members with a worthwhile experience! It is important that our fellowships are informative, fun but also meaningful and responsive to the needs and interests of our members. Our value proposition should be derived from the Object of Rotary and should guide our relationships with each other. The Object of Rotary is the essence of who we are and what we do.

Finally, we need to work on membership engagement in order to retain our members. Engaged ‘seasoned’ rotarians are a club’s greatest asset while ‘disengaged’ members could be a significant liability. Member engagement should begin before induction and throughout the year to ensure a sense of belonging and ‘connection.’

Members who are welcomed, and are involved in club leadership, decisions and activities; and who perceive that the organization is benefiting them will not only stay on as members, but will want to share the experience with friends and acquaintances.

This year the District has appointed two District Officers: PAG Ronald Kawaddwa (District Chair -
Membership) and PAG Jane Kabugo (District Chair- New Club Development) to assist clubs with membership extension, engagement and development. Let us use them and the online resources on My Rotary to grow and boost our membership.

A happy family attracts - share your love for Rotary.

Rtn. Marion Natukunda tips Kajjansi Rotarians on Planning and Execution of Club Roles

 Last Wednesday, RC Kajjansi was excited  and blessed to have Rtn. Marion Natukunda from RC  Kiwatule talking about Planning & Execution of Club Roles.

 The teacher in her made left nothing to immagination. The following are some of the highlights of her talk to members present.

On the role of the club Secretary, she said that the  secretary of the club is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

She hires and fires members. All correspondences from Governor, Country, they are handled by the club Secretary.

She warned that when a secretary, President and Club Admin are fighting amongst themselves, then a big problem is likely to face that particular club.

Talking about the role of the Director Club Administation (Club Admin) she said that this one is the manager of the club. Everything administrative has to be handled by  this person.  She went ahead to inform members that this person handles the club calendar. After three months, he has to release the club Annual calendar. He is the custodian of buddy groups. She hastened to ad that in many clubs, Buddy groups have ended up usurping the powers of the club admin.

“Make sure buddy groups don’t take over the club.” She counselled adding that  “In most clubs they have taken over.”

At the end of August share your fully fledged club calendar.

On the role of the  club sergent at arms, she said that  this person is supposed to be standing behind and  has to move around and be stationed in a position where the president can communicate with him/her. He/she must keep law and order during fellowship. The eye contact between the sergent and the president is very important in ensuring a smooth fellowship. 

On the role of the treasurer, she said that the incumbent is supposed to draw the budget and ensure that it has expenses and income and knows how to use the money.

She said that project money should never be used for club admin.

The treasurer should know each and every fund where it comes and where it is going to be used.

The club assembly is the governing body of the club. The Board cannot override the decisions of the club assembly.

The Board meets to keep the club in check. The Board must sit once a month and before it sits, committees must have sat before and they send their reports to the secretary. Once you find the board is sitting for more than three hours, it means the committees are not sitting.

Kajjansi Installation Magazine

Here's our Installation Magazine 2019/20