Story Time

In the Rotaract Club of Matopos we have members with different talents, one of those talents is story writing,here are two short stories from our very own Peter Zowa, 

A belly full of dreams

The air has a tinge of silver. The constant dripping can be heard on the zinc roofing as a full moon peers from the window. Another missions trip. Another day filled with heart wrenching stories. My shoulders are sagged and I slump onto the modestly comfortable bed. My wife is tired but the smile on her face is warming. She draws near, smiling, reminding me of the little girl full of hope from early in the morning. This is her story she says:

On these plains of an African village, comfort is a myth and opulence for the gods. Poverty is what the people have become used to. No hope and only a future that leads them back to the infertile lands that are barely capable of sustaining crops as it is. But comes this one little girl after the visiting volunteers have given out a few sacks of meal that would be the difference between an empty belly and a night full of dreams. The little girl is obviously malnourished but the smile she wears looks alien; like it does not belong to such a pathetic looking being. But she smiles on and rushes to the front were tugs at the skirt of my wife.

"Hey. Hey." she says, "when I grow up I'm gonna be a pilot." This is rare. Such dreams in this deprived village.

"That's nice," my wife says. She really doesn't know how to respond. "You know why?" the little girl asks. "Because I'm gonna grow big and strong. My grandma says if I eat all the food on my plate and don't waste any I'll grow big. Now I'm gonna have food tonight and I'm not gonna waste any because you gave grandma food to cook for me."

The thought process is staggering. My wife stumbles under its weight and only manages to smile. How dreams are connected to the belly. The simplest form of kindest, just giving away food for a little while, being able to inspire such a dream...

As my wife tells this story I feel my own thoughts wander to a distant land. To my own dreams. I'm still tired but my heart is revitalized. I'll do it again tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. After all, that is the magic of humanity: to have one dream give birth to another.

Hope

She sits huddled up, in the dark corner of a room only illuminated by a dying candle. Her eyes; big, black and dull, are staring at a makeshift bed that has been the scene to most of her horrors. Her face is pale and her scantily dressed small frame shivers as she hears footsteps approaching. In her little mind she reminiscences times past—happier times. These are her source of comfort as well as the hard pillow that she now clutches. That is her comfort, but like the candle in her room, it is dying fast. At a distance she can hear shrieks of terror and groans of pleasure, paradoxically from the same habitation. She shudders, closing her eyes and wishing it away. The pain is all too real for her. As the tears stream from her face she can feel the rhythm of her heart changing; from a soft lub-dub to the ferocity of an Olympic athlete. These past two nights the boogeyman did not come. Could it be that because every time she had heard the footsteps she closed her eyes real tight, concentrated hard and wished him away?

Whatever the reason, it had spelt a temporal reprieve for her. The dying lights cast long shadows on the dirty wall. Its colour is indescribable, the stench within the confines of its wall unbearable. Nonetheless, this is what has become to her a 'home', one that she gratefully shares with a few rats. She spends most hours of her day within these walls, mostly on her back. The pain in her limbs and organs is excruciating but numb compared to the damage done to her little heart. She can feel the hollowness and darkness creeping within but she continues to fight it. She still needs to believe, even in the craziest of fantasies like freedom. A horrifying scream permeates through her deliberations and sends her heart racing. Her chest tightens and she struggles for breath. She closes her eyes again and makes another wish. This seems to have a calming effect on her. It has been long since she saw the sun and bathed in its radiant beauty. The days of the calendar have ceased to have any significant meaning and the nights have been especially longer. Yet in the midst of her darkness she still holds on to her ray of hope- that one day, if she believes and does not give up, she will be free.

A new set of footsteps approach. They seem to be getting louder but the voices more muffled. Again her heart rages into a violent storm. Quickly she begins her ritual. This is followed by the sound of keys rustling in the key-hole. A long shadow enters and approaches. The boogeyman has finally come. With her eyes closed she weeps, if ever she is going to be free it will not be tonight.

PLEASE SPARE A THOUGHT AND A PRAYER FOR THE VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING!!!!!!!

Poetry Slam

As the Rotaract Club of Matopos we are a club with members who are gifted in different ways, one of those gifts found in our membership is the gift of poetry, here are few poems from our very own Luckmore Sibanda aka iTonga,

BREATHE,

Breathe in the fresh breath of dawn and let the birds sing u up to a new day

Open your eyes to the clear blue sky and leave your blues to the dark of the night

Arise with the sun and claim the crown for kings carry their light in the eyes of day

Let every step you take dictate the heartbeat of the world

Let even the word that falls of your mouth be the soundtrack the earth spins to

Dance and pursue your dreams for in every sway of trees lie freedom form stagnation

Cry tears of joy and let the rain wash away your sorrows

Let your heart beat in sync with nature because you are the core element

Made from fragments of stone, mother earth will  not deny you dominion

But she will hand you gold, stone and dust

And the diamonds studs that crown u king, queen

Harness the bellowing sound of the dying cow

Fashion drums from its skin, and summon ur next of kin

Sing praise to umvelinqangi and dance to life

And From every fire that you build to dry drum skins

Arise from the ashes there of to claim the sky

The phoenix is a snake that reincarnates from its backbone

A butterfly that takes on from a caterpillar

A chicken that survives an egg

Calm your spirit, let it flow quiet like an underground stream

When all rivers are dry, they shall acknowledge your existence

Keep Hope, faith, trust and live yet another day

iTonga

Ode to Malume

Malume, the ascent we made to mountain peaks energised our chakras

All the lessons about gods and the one above us

From fetus, the words you said to mom made a sage in boy's vessel

How do i forget all that? I cherish that!!!

Kingmaker, your spirit lives in Bantu and Black Tie, they are torching my way up

Holding my hands from both sides, and opening my third eye

Its like a mental gym that makes my brain out grow my skull

But its all good, i felt the gentle breeze of the mistral

Back down, head up, i stargaze and see your eyes, you watching over us

We don't simply die you always said, but we merge with cosmos and become one heart

I refuse to remember you for the gunslinger you were, a man has to live

Sometimes for a strong soul to survive weaker souls have to be sacrificed

It wasn't robbing uncle, it was affirmative repossession

From those that sent township economies on a recession,

I hope the world gets that, and judge from a script unbiased

No one judged the Israelites when the killed and robbed Canaanites of  their land and treasures

All these legacies, need to be known, but your obituary cant take all that,

Your wisdom cannot be told on tombstones above your head,

We will put your body on a canoe and let it float down the Zambezi river, then light it up

To let your spirit, flame up and go light up the sky with other stars

This is the memory of you i'd rather have that your brains splattered on vinyl tiles...

iTonga

 

Experience vs Qualifications

Young people in general find it very difficult to get employment. As a young person, I totally understand the frustration of not quite fitting into the “candidates must be below x number of years with x number of years experience” box. Usually, I am well within the age range but almost always fall short of the required experience. This is largely due to the societal expectation to be highly educated in order to qualify for a job.  So we spend years slaving away in college and gaining very little working experience expected by many employers once we graduate. And so we end up as unemployed, educated individuals. What an oxymoron.

The question then is, how does one gain experience while studying in order to have relevant, professional qualifications? Below, are my own thoughts on what young people can begin to do in order to boost their employability.

Volunteer!

A significant number of young people shun the ‘V’ word. It seems volunteering is synonymous with slavery – hard labour with no remuneration. However, volunteering is probably one of the easiest ways to gain experience. You are exposed to a wealth of knowledge and can get excellent references/recommendations for the future.

 In addition, proven volunteerism is favoured by many employers as it demonstrates that the candidate is proactive and can perform duties diligently without expecting a reward. Intrinsic motivation is a valuable characteristic and volunteering is one way of nurturing this trait.

Learn a critical skill!

The job market is saturated by myriads of individuals who are as equally qualified as you. What will make you stand out from ten other applicants with a first class degree? Usually, unique skills are one way guaranteed to make you stand out. There is no excuse not to obtain a skill. Unlike abilities, which are often thought of as innate, skills are usually acquired or learned. It is important to take note of skills that are in demand which are not obtained through the conventional education system. With the help of the Internet, most skills can be self taught nowadays.

Network!

My dad told me something that I have held onto since high school. He said, “It isn’t about what you are, but who you know”. Certainly, this statement is debatable, but its validity is solid. How many times have you managed to get something because of a connection you had or lost out on an opportunity because you didn’t have the right link?

Human existence revolves around relationships; no man is an island. Therefore, networking is an essential part of positioning oneself for a job. Workshops, public lectures, social gatherings, etc are great places to meet new people. You never know who you might meet and how they will impact your life.

There are so many ways to get your foot in the door and admittedly, there is no correct formula to life. Nonetheless, I trust you found this information useful.

by Khayelihle Moyo

WHY JOIN ROTARACT

It is my pleasure to address you today on a very important topic WHY JOIN

ROTARACT/ BENEFIT OF BEING A ROTARACTOR. I have been rotaractor for 5 years now, and within those 5years i have learnt a lot when it comes to Rotaract. So first thing is first for one to understand why they should join rotaract one should know what rotaract is and its purpose

WHAT IS ROTARACT?

Rotaract simply means "Rotary In Action" an affiliate of Rotary International which came into existence in

1968 when the RI board approved it as an official programme for Rotary clubs. The first club chartered was Rotaract club of North Charlotte, North Carolina USA on March 13, 1968. It comprises of young adults between the age of 18 to 30 either community or institutional based.

PURPOSE.

The purpose to Rotaract is to provide an opportunity for young men and women to enhance the knowledge and skills that will assist them in personal development, to address the physical needs of their communities and to promote better relations between all people worldwide through a frame work of friendship and service.  Today, Rotaract has grown into a strong, international network 8,168 clubs with  187,864 members in more than 163 countries.

WHY JOIN ROTARACT?

The reasons for joining Rotaract can be found in the Goals of Rotaract

which are:

- To develop professional and leadership skills.

- To emphasis respect for the right of others, and promote ethnical standards and the dignity of all useful occupation.

- To provide opportunities for young people to address the needs and concerns of the community and our world.

- To provide opportunities for working in cooperation with sponsoring Rotary club.

- To motivate young people for eventual membership in Rotary

In addition, you must have the mind to render selfless service to humanity and also at every time you must be ready to surrender your Time, Talent, Treasure and Thinking (4T's).

BENEFITS.

Friendship: In an increasingly complex world, Rotaract provides one of the most basic human needs, the need for friendship and fellowship; it is one of two reasons why Rotary began in 1905.

Leadership Development: Rotaract is an organisation of leaders and successful people, serving in Rotaract  you get Leadership training, how to motivate, influence and lead leaders.

Continuing Education: Each week at Rotaract there is a program designed to keep one informed about what is going on in the community, nation and world. Each meeting provides an opportunity to listen to different speakers and a variety of timely topics.

Citizenship in the Community/World: Rotaractors wears pin that say "Rotaract Club". There are many places on the globe that do have a Rotary/rotaract  club. Every Rotaractors is welcome, even encourage to attend any of the 31,256 clubs in 165 nations, this means instant friends in both one's community and in the world

Business Development: The second original reason for Rotaract beginning is business development. Everyone needs to network Rotary consists of a cross section of every business community. Its members comefrom all walks of life. Rotarians help each other and collectively help others. And as a rotaractor you have easy access to rotarians

The Opportunity to Serve:  Rotaract is a service club. Its business is mankind. Its product is service. Rotaractors  provide community service to both local and international communities. This is perhaps the best reason for becoming a Rotaractor: the chance to do something for somebody else and to sense the self-fulfillment that comes in the process and return of that satisfaction to one’s own life. Itis richly rewarding.

Fun: Rotaract is fun, a lot of fun. Each meeting is fun. The activities and projects are fun.

Citizenship in the Community: Membership in a Rotaract club makes one a better community citizen. The average Rotaract club consists of the most active citizens of any community.

Public Speaking Skills: Many individuals who joined Rotaract were afraid to speak in public. Rotaract develops confidence and skill in public communication and the opportunity to practice and perfect these skills.

Assistance when Traveling: Because there are Rotaract clubs everywhere, many a Rotaract in need of .advice, etc.,while traveling has found assistance through Rotaract

Entertainment: Every Rotaract club has parties and activities that provide diversion in one’s life. Rotary holds conferences, conventions, assemblies,   that provide travel opportunities, entertainment in addition to Rotary information, education, and service

 The Development of Social Skills: Every week and at various events and functions, Rotary develops one’s personality, social skills and people skills. Rotaract is for people who like people.

The Development of Ethics: Rotaractors  practice a 4-Way Test that governs one’s ethical standards.Rotaractors are expected to be ethical in business and personal relationships.

Cultural Awareness: Around the world, practically every religion, country, culture, race, creed,political persuasion, language, color, and ethnic identity is found in Rotaract. It is a cross section of the world’s most prominent citizens from every background. Rotaractors become aware of their cultures and learn to love and work with people everywhere. They become better citizens of their countries in the process.

Nice People: Rotaractors above all are nice people – the nicest people on the face of the earth. They areimportant people who follow the policy of it is nice to be important but it is important to be nice.


by  Nyasha Muronzi (Nash McRonzie)
             Club President 2015-16