Scale up efforts to push education, Impact more lives, Rotary Bahari urged
President-elect of the Rotary Club of Bahari Dar es Salaam, Irene Bizere (right), presents a special gift to the Rotary District Governor overseeing Tanzania and Uganda, Christine Kyeyune Kawooya (center). On the left is the Acting President of the Rotary Club of Bahari Dar es Salaam, Vipul Shah. PHOTO | COURTESY
She urged the club to expand its reach and impact more lives as it continues its tradition of service
Dar es Salaam. Rotary District Governor for Tanzania and Uganda, Christine Kyeyune Kawooya, has praised the Rotary Club of Bahari Dar es Salaam for its outstanding contributions to education, healthcare, environmental conservation, and community service.
She urged the club to expand its reach and impact more lives as it continues its tradition of service.
Speaking during her official visit, Governor Kawooya underscored the importance of strengthening the Rotary Foundation by increasing funds raised by Rotarians themselves in partnership with corporations and governments.
“Rotary Club of Bahari has shown leadership and dedication, but the need remains great. We must continue to innovate, collaborate, and expand our reach to ensure no community is left behind,” she said.
She added that such efforts would enable clubs to grow Rotary in the country to the next level.
“The Rotary Club of Bahari has successfully implemented projects addressing some of society’s most pressing needs,” she observed.
Looking ahead, Governor Kawooya encouraged the club not only to continue its focus on urban communities but also to expand membership by developing more urban clubs.
She highlighted two areas that deserve greater attention: reducing maternal and child mortality, and strengthening W.A.S.H.—a Rotary scholarship program supporting water and sanitation initiatives.
The Bahari Club has also been instrumental in mentoring other Rotary Clubs, including the Rotary Club of Kwanza, to develop trainers who can work with schools in both urban and rural areas.
These trainers are helping students embrace STEAM—Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics—subjects that are critical for preparing Tanzania’s youth for the future.
Among the flagship programs is the STEAM Project, which has already reached more than 800 students in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.
By training teachers and running bootcamps, the initiative has inspired young learners to explore new career paths in science and technology, while equipping them with the confidence and skills to compete in a fast-changing world.
Rotary Bahari has also made a mark in healthcare. The You and Me for Her Cervical Cancer Awareness Project has mobilized over 40 volunteers to raise awareness, promote screenings, and advocate vaccination for early detection and prevention.
The Rotary Family Health Day initiative further strengthened the club’s healthcare impact, delivering over 10,000 health services to 1,022 community members.
Maternal and child health remains a top priority. The Tricycle Ambulance Project, already in operation, is addressing transportation challenges for expectant mothers in underserved areas.
Building on this success, the club now plans to launch motorbike ambulances under its Ambulance Access Initiative.
This project is expected to benefit more than 5,000 mothers and newborns annually, offering life-saving support where it is most needed.
Earlier in the visit, Irene Bizere, President-elect of the Rotary Club of Bahari, reaffirmed the club’s mission.
“Our projects are people-centered, designed to make a real difference in the lives of children, women, and communities at large. We are proud of what we have achieved, but we know there is more work to be done,” she said.
She added: “Rotary Bahari is determined to scale up initiatives in STEAM education, maternal health, and environmental conservation. We want to ensure that every project we undertake is sustainable and leaves a lasting impact.”
In line with that vision, the club has invested heavily in environmental conservation. It has planted 1,360 trees at the University of Dar es Salaam and launched micro-forest projects in schools.
These initiatives, Governor Kawooya remarked, “show Rotary’s commitment to sustainability and the well-being of future generations.”
Education remains a cornerstone of the club’s mission. A notable initiative is the Sh5 million Rotary Water Scholarship, which supports a Master’s degree program in Water and Sanitation.
“This scholarship demonstrates how Rotary can contribute to long-term capacity building in critical sectors,” Governor Kawooya said.
