The people we serve, work with and the environment around us are very important to us that is why we go out of our way to enact positive change to those causes that are closest to us and continue to give a helping hand both in-kind and financially. We always partner with organizations that are in the business of creating social change in our communities and among them is Rotaract.
Rotaract Uganda is the umbrella association that comprises of all Rotaract clubs in Uganda. Rotaract clubs are part of the Youth program of the Rotary International and just like the other Rotaract clubs all over the world, the clubs in Uganda focus on the development of young adults as leaders in their communities and workplaces and also take part in international and local service projects, in a global effort to bring peace and international understanding of the world while making the world a better place altogether.
Every year Rotaractors, Rotarians, Companies and well-wishers join efforts to restore the green through the Rotaract Earth Initiative Project commonly known as REI. Rotaractors have been planting and are growing trees in various parts of the country, first, as part of the efforts of different clubs to curb the rising levels of environmental degradation and also leave a lasting impact in the places where the service projects are implemented. Over time however, it was realized that collective effort left a bigger impact on the communities hence the birth of the Rotaract Earth Initiative.
REI started in April 2015 with the major aim of planting over 10 million trees. Through the initiative, Rotaractors are addressing climate change, food insecurity & primary health care challenges in different districts across the country. Over the years, the growing of trees has involved replacing of dead seedlings after planting, slashing and monitoring of growth is being done in cooperation with the National Forestry Authority, a partner in this project. This year (2021) the campaign attracted over 200 youth from all over the country and was executed in Soroti with over 10,000 trees planted. Among other activities included a campaign on menstrual hygiene that saw the distribution of reusable AFRIpads to the girl child at Aloet Parents School & St. Mary Girls Madera. We also launched an incinerator at Aloet Parents School that will help pupils dispose of sanitary napkins safely.
The project also featured a blood donation drive that saw us collect over 100 units of blood from both the participants and the people in the community all thanks to Uganda Red Cross. Our CEO Micheal Lubowa represented Boqwana Media with a sponsorship of Ugx. 500,000 for the Soroti edition. He also used the opportunity to talk about what we do and how we do it and pledged to never cut any trees to erect any outdoor advertising infrastructure.