RI president’s blog for January -- Visiting South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, India, and the United States

From visiting a new nation to riding on a parade float, my wife, Binota, and I and traveled far and wide in December to see the Rotary world and encourage community leaders to think about joining Rotary.

Starting on 1 December, we were at a Bali institute for zones 6B, 7A, and 10B. The institute took place with great style thanks to the efforts of Foundation Trustee and past RI Director Jackson San-Lien Hseih and his organizers. We stayed for three days, and then went to visit our newest Rotary country -- South Sudan.  

South Sudan, Uganda, and Kenya

RI Director Elio Cerini was instrumental in planning our visit to South Sudan since he has been active in that region since the 1990s helping orphans, women, and the blind. While I was in South Sudan, I met with the minister of health and other important government officials. They discussed some of their country’s needs, such as a new hospital. I hope we can find a way to help this country.

In Uganda, it was incredible to see both how many government ministers and the highest officials are Rotarians and the scope of their Rotary projects. For example, in Lake Kampala we visited two RI-sponsored AIDS detection camps, which is important there since Uganda has a large population of AIDS-infected people. At the camps, I was impressed and moved by an enthusiastic and appreciative band of orphan boys who played music and marched as if they were in a Hollywood movie.

Then we went to Kenya and a project 30 miles outside of Nairobi. It was a school where orphans were taught agriculture and trades for self- sustainability to make them strong citizens. It was a great project.

South Africa

While in Johannesburg, I met with business people and learned that people in Soweto are starting a second new club there. I also gave a radio interview about Rotary’s work in polio eradication. Although the interview aired at 6:00 a.m., it seemed everyone in Jo’burg heard me!  I even asked the interviewer to consider becoming a Rotarian, which he agreed to do.

That same afternoon, I was interviewed on television by a woman who was a Rotaractor. It goes to show how involved Rotary is on many levels in Johannesburg. Then after talking with the country’s minsters of health and education about how Rotarians could help with projects to prevent malaria, I suggested that they look into joining Rotary and they said they would.

At a lunch hosted later by Johannesburg business executives, I also urged them to think about becoming Rotarians. They promised to start looking for a local club.

India

In mid-December, Binota and I went to Chandigarh to attend a lunch meeting at Past RI President Rajendra Saboo’s Rotary club. There were about 500 Rotarians attending this fine event. In the evening, Past President Saboo hosted a dinner for us that was attended by four newspaper editors, about two government officials as well as judges and vice chancellors. The last half of December was as busy as the beginning with Binota and me attending more than 12 separate Rotary events all over India!

United States

On 31 December, we traveled to Pasadena, California, USA, for our first Rose Bowl Parade. We were honored to be the first RI president and spouse to ride a float for this event. For four hours we sat on the float and waved to the large crowds. We are told about 700,000 or more people attended. We enjoyed representing Rotary International and had a fine day for it. We were proud that Rotarians won a trophy for the hard efforts they put into creating this float.

As we begin the New Year, Binota and I want to express our sincerest appreciation for all of the people who have made our travels in 2011 so memorable – from the RI headquarters staff for their hard work in supporting our travels to the many Rotarians we have met along the way who have provided us with generous hospitality. Thank you all for the kindness you have shown us.  Thank you for making us feel warmly welcome to your country. We look forward to our journeys ahead.

Binota and I send you and your families the best of wishes for the New Year.

Read more about the president's travels.