Polio Ball arrives in Thika

The Rotary Club of Thika received the Kick Out Polio ball on March 17, which is continuing its journey across Africa. This doubles as part of the build up to the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and raising awareness on polio.
The ball, with signatures of prominent personalities, started its journey on February 23 in Cape Town when the Pan-African “Kick Polio Out of Africa” awareness campaign was launched with the symbolic kicking of a ball signed by Emeritus Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Tutu had polio as a child, and has joined Rotary’s campaign as polio goodwill ambassador.
From Cape Town, one of the host cities to the 2010 World Cup, the ball has travelled through southern African nations and entered Kenya from Uganda en route to Ethiopia.
“We have to eradicate this life threatening, and cruel disease. This is part of the final push that is needed to stop polio in its tracks, especially in Africa,” says Joe Thiga, President of the Rotary Club of Thika while receiving the ball.
It will go through 22 polio-affected countries to Egypt to reach the Rotary International Convention in Montréal, Canada in June. The journey is being underwritten by DHL Express.
Since Rotary began its fight against polio in 1985, the incidence of the disease has been reduced by 99 percent. In Africa, only Nigeria remains polio-endemic, but the disease still affects children in many other high-risk countries, emphasizing the need to protect all African children against polio.
This ball is part of a challenge by former South African President Nelson Mandela, who in his 1996 address at the African Unity (AU) Summit, that formally kicked off the “Kick Polio out of Africa” campaign said: “We are calling on the continent's football players to bring their enormous influence to this campaign. Only unified efforts which galvanise whole societies towards these goals will succeed in kicking this virus, that looks so much like a football, out of Africa and eventually, out of the world.”
Polio eradication has been Rotary International’s top priority for more than two decades. The international humanitarian service organization is a spearheading partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, along with the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF.
Rotary recently pledged to raise US$200 million to match $355 million in challenge grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. All of the resulting $555 million will be spent in support of eradication activities.

Mithini gets water; Finally

Mithini Water Project, which was cordinated by the Rotary Club of Thika was inaugurated this week and residents started getting water from the borehole. This is yet another show that with synergy, Rotary Club of Thika is bringing dreams to the people around.

District Governor-Elect pays visit

Thika recently welcome Eric Kimani (District Governor for year 2011-2012) at the Friday fellowship. Rotarian Kimani was accompanied by his wife Margaret and they joined the members to a Mbuzi party hosted in his honour.
Addressing the members, Rtn Kimani reminded members that the purpose of the fellowship remains to make friends.
"When you are all friends, project will come naturally," he said.
The Rotary Club of Thika President Joe Thiga thanked Rtn Kimani for making the visit.
"We are delighted that you are here with us," he said.

Garden Party thrill!

This weekend's garden Party got off to a good start. There was both thrill and dance as Rotarians from Thika stepped forward to raise funds for the Club. The event was also garced by Rotarians from Muranga, Karen, Hurlingham and Lang'ata.
A team from Hampshire Fire Service, which trains the Thika Fire Service, had flown all the way from UK to attend the Garden Party and had a splendid show on how to put out fire.
Besides that we had Imani School Choir witth a spanish acapella, Poet Caroline Nderitu, Tiger Power Show, Scouts from Thika, and three young Divas: Victoria, Cathy and Monica whose patriotic song "Kenya" touched many.
The host band was Maestro led by James which rocked the evening - with a show that closed at around mid-night.
The President of Rotary Club of Thika thanked the visitors forturning up. The Club also donated a wheel-chair to a Thika Town resident and a games kit to St Patrick's School Special Unit.

We are now on Facebook!

The Rotary Club of Thika is now on facebook. You can now join our Fun Club and get to know more about the activities of the club and enjoy exchange of ideas. The future of Rotary in your hands. Here is the link:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?filter=pp#/pages/Rotary-Club-of-Thika/122528188390?ref=nf

DG to Visit Thika

The Rotary Club of Thika will on Friday August 28 host the DG Tadesse Alemu and his wife Mulu who are on a whirlwind tour of clubs in Kenya.
This will be the first time that the DG will be visiting Thika.
The DG will also be accompanied by AG Alex Nyaga.
We will be there to meet them in style.

Our New Team

Here is the line up of the new team that took office.

President: JOE THIGA;

Joe Thiga is a Charter member of the Rotary Club of Thika. Born in the larger Murang'a District, Joe has previously held various dockets at the Club - apart from that of the President. His has lots of passion for community work and is also an avid golfer at the Thika Sports Club. His classification is Book Selling.

President-Elect: FRANCIS MWAURA;

An Engineer by profession, Francis Mwaura is perhaps one of the oldest Rotarian at the Rotary Club of Thika, having joined Rotary even before Thika was chartered. A former President of the Rotary Club of Hurlingham, Rtn Mwaura refers to himself as a "retired but not tired" engineer and runs a children's home in Gatundu. His classification is Engineer.

Vice President: Elizabeth Gitau;

You have to meet Teacher Elizabeth Gitau to understand her passion for children and charity work. Elizabeth runs a children's home near Ol Donyo Sabuk and is active in community work. She forms a critical link between the Rotary Club to the communities around the dry Kilima Mbogo area. For her, it is the spirit of Service Above self that drives her.
Her classification is Teacher.

Secretary: Bernard Kimengich;

(NO PIX)

Treasurer: William Mwangi;

There is no better person for treasurer than the retired avid banker turned stock broker, William Mwangi. Rtn William brings on board lots of commitment to Rotary work. Again, he is one of the longest serving members of Rotary Club of Thika. His classification is stock broker





Sergeant-at-arms: James Gitau;

(NO PIX)

Club Trainer: Mugo Kirika;

Immediate Past President Mugo Kirika has taken the position of Club Trainer. One of the charter members of Rotary Club of Thika , he brings again on board years of experience and lots of understanding about community issues around Thika. An avid golfer, Rtn Mugo has lots of interest in community work and will inject lots of information and ideas to new members. His classification is poultry farming

Rotary Foundation Committee Chair: Eleanor Harrison;

Unless you meet Rtn Eleanor Harrison, you won't know what drives towards rehabilitation of street children. For that is her passion and she explains it with ease. A charity worker based in Thika, Rtn Eleanor manages a feeding program in several schools and is one of the most active members of the Rotary Club of Thika. Her classification is charity worker

Service Projects Committee Chair: Marnix Huis In't Veld;

Public Relations Committee Chair: Jennifer Wanjiru;

A journalist by profession, Jennifer also works on community projects and is actively involved in raising awareness on Autism. She is also a founder of Autism Outreach, an organisation that reaches out to those with autistic children.

Membership Committee Chair: Rtn Dr Steve Mugucia

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology lecturer Dr Steve Mugucia is also a charter member of the Rotary Club of Thika. Rtn Mugucia has been pivotal in fundraising for the club, raising its membership and has held various positions since the club was started some six years ago. His major challenge now is to raise and retain the membership. He has lots of interest in girl child education.