One on one with the DRR

As we are in the last month of our first quarter I wanted to write something really amazing for this online news letter. So i cracked my brain wondering what to write then it hit me it literary me, the most amazing story I can ever write that everyone would love to read is an interview with our very own DRR. Now unlike me most people have never had the great honour and privilege of knowing her and forming a close relationship with her. So with the help of my S.H.I.E.L.D contacts I tracked her down and using my Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1(designed for humans) I interviewed 
her online (the wonders of modern technology) and it was quiet interesting

 Me: Hello DRR Jayne Terera (JT)

JT: Hie Nash McRonzie

Me: Please just call me Nash

JT: Ok

Me: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, who is Jayne Terera what makes you tick?

JT: Jayne Terera is a 20 something year old lady, business manager and a Proud Rotaractor. What makes me tick is God, my family and my friends. My biggest driving force is not wanting to be mediocre.I want to live up to my full potential and make a difference in the world.

Me: wow now that's lovely I like that, so what does DRR stand for

JT: DRR stands for District Rotaract Representative

Me: What does it mean to be a DRR, what are your roles and responsibilities

JT: The role of the DRR is basically that of overseeing the activities of the Rotaract Clubs in the district. I play an advisory and supportive role to club Presidents and Rotaractors. Specifically the mandate of the DRR is 5 fold, namely to facilitate training of Rotaractors in the District, help clubs retain and increase quality membership, increase awareness of the District, encourage joint projects between clubs in the District as well as organise the annual District Conference

Me: That sounds like a heavy task,better you than me i guess. How does one become DRR, Do i have to be a Harvard graduate or something

JT:  (laughs) not at all. For one to be a DRR, you have to have served either as a President of a Rotaract club in the District in which you wish to be DRR or have previously been a member of the District Rotaract Committee for a year. I was the District Public Relations Officer in 2011-2012 and have been subsequently elected to be DRR for 2013-2014.

Me: How has this role affected you

JT:  The role of DRR is an exciting one because you get to meet and interact with Rotaractors from different countries and languages. Its exciting to get to experience different cultures and mesh them into one, being the Rotaract culture Fellowship through Service. Another great way this role has affected me has been the ability to hone my leadership, teamwork as well as communication skills.

Me: Looks like it has done wonders for you now I want to be DRR What are your goals for the district,what changes are you going to make,whats going to make your reign different from your predecessors (this is were it gets interesting,dramatic music playing)

JT:  Firstly I would like to thank my predecessors who have steered the District into the right direction thus far. My main goal for the District this year is to unify the District by encouraging collaboration between the clubs. Currently, we are in the process of coming up with a Environmental Campaign jingle which we will translate into 3 or 4 languages that will be able to air in all 4 countries in the District. Another big objective this year will be to establish a Rotaract Club in Malawi as well as Mozambique both of which have not had active Rotaract clubs for the past 3 years. In this year I also hope to resuscitate the Potential Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (PRLS) seminar which has been dormant for the past year. PRLS is tentatively scheduled to start in February 2014. As you can see, these are big goals which will need a lot of cooperation from fellow Rotaractors in order for them to come into fruition.

Me: Those are amazing goals you have for the district,you might also need help or advice from fellow DRRs which brings the question are you in contact with other DRRs

JT: Yes, I am in contact with other DRRs from Africa, namely:

Sarah (Kenya) - DRR 9212 - Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea

Amir Marouane (Tunisia) - DRR 9010 - Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania

Winfred Karungi (Uganda) - DRR 9211 - Uganda, Tanzania

Dominique Yon (South Africa) - DRR 9350 - South Africa, Angola and Namibia

Michel Ndjock (Cameroon) - DRR 9150 - Cameroon, Burundi, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Rwanda, Sao Tome, Tchad

 

Me: With all those contacts are there any plans of joining or forming a MDIO (Multi-District Information Organisation)

 

JT: So far I have been in talks with DRR Sarah from D9212 about possibly forming a MDIO. An MDIO functions as a regional office of information and resources and comprises of Rotaract clubs in 2 or more districts. It is formed for the purpose of facilitating communication and disseminating information. The Formation of an MDIO is quite a process though with the DRRs having to get at least 2/3 approval from the clubs in their districts, having to get approval from the District Governors and then the final approval from Rotary International. However like I said, we have begun the process and will inform you of the progress in due course.

 

Me: Well I hope it works out. Can you tell us about the people in the district committee and why you chose each person for that specific role

 

JT: The members of the District Committee are as follows:

Nyasha Muronzi (Me) - ADRR Clubs and Membership

Patson Musiiwa - ADRR Training

Victoria Mungwena - ADRR DISCON

Farirai Nyamukapa - District Secretary

Kudzai Murongazvombo - District Treasurer

Kay Terera - District PRO

Amos Mwanza - Country Representative Zambia

This team was chosen on the basis of each individuals strength. Each member of the team is an inducted Rotaractor who has served either as a President, Vice President or Committee Director in the past and so has the necessary experience needed to lead the District. Furthermore, Amos Mwanza was elected into office at the Ndola District Conference in May this year.

 

Me: Looks like you picked the A-team wise move I guess that's why you are the DRR, how well are you working with the DG & DRC

 

JT: I am working very well with the District Governor Stella Dongo and the District Rotaract Chair Masimba Mukurazvita. Rotarians are very passionate about new generations and are therefore excited about Rotaract and the role we play in Rotary International.

 

Me: That's music to my ears, do you have any plans to visit the rotaract clubs in the district,

 

JT;  I do plan to visit clubs in the District. I was able to meet some of the Ndola, TPR and Catholic University club members at the Ndola DISCON, I have also managed to visit most of the clubs in Harare and recently I visited the Rotaract Club of MSU in Gweru. during this year I intend to carry out more club visits

 

Me: Yipee that's great news,well my lunch break is over so we have to end this, Any wise words you would love to impart on the rotaractors

 

JT:  My parting words would be all the best for this coming year. I look forward to a very fun filled and fruitful year as we Engage Rotary and Change Lives.

 

Me: Thank you for those words and thank you for finding time in your busy schedule to have this interview. Cheers DRR Jayne Terera

 

JT: It was my pleasure Nash..Take care

 

And with that the greatest interview of my career ended, It was nice talking to such an enligthened Rotaractor, it looks like the future if our district is in safe hands 

By  ADRR Nyasha Muronzi (Nash McRonzie)






 

World Rotaract Week

Mar 11-17, 2013

Every year, Rotaractors and Rotarians around the world celebrate World Rotaract Week during the week March 13 to commemorate the founding of the first club in 1968.
World Rotaract Week is a time for celebrating the success and importance of the Rotaract program. This event is also an excellent opportunity to inform members of your community about the amazing work that Rotaract clubs do, and give them an opportunity to get involved.

The name Rotaract (derived from "Rotary in Action") was selected to show the program's close affiliation with both Rotary and Interact clubs.RI President Luther Hodges inaugurated Rotaract in 1968, with the Rotaract Club of North Charlotte becoming the first club. The club received its charter on 13 March and had 21 members.
Within a day of the first club's certification, the Rotaract Club of the University of La Salle was chartered in Tacubaya, Mexico. The Rotaract club of Secunderabad, India, was certified the following week.
Since the 1950s, many Rotary clubs had been starting unofficial clubs for young adults, fueling Rotaract’s rapid growth in its first few years. Rotaract grew from 21 clubs in 1967-68 to 289 clubs a year later. There are now more than 8,000 Rotaract clubs in 167 countries and geographical areas.
Rotaract clubs were originally open to young men and women ages 17-24. Since 1991, young adults ages 18-30 have been welcomed. And this year Rotaract turns 45years, so we will be celebrating 45 years of service above self

Happy Rotaract Week All!!!!

Source: http://www.rotary.org/ and The Rotaract Handbook

Wise words..........

Since this months issue of the Matopos newsletter has been released at the beginning of the year,we thought what better way than to start this new year than get wise words from a piece written from one of Rotaract Matopos members who is currently residing in USA, Tebogo G.H Ndlovu who gives us wise words in her beautiful piece titled "The misnomer of ‘better’"

The misnomer of ‘better’

Words of advice for my mirror image..

I see you, Lady In The Mirror

 Ever concerned about Being Better

 I’ll give you a hand then

 This is what being better is Not

Being better is not having the last say in a quarrel

 Or delivering the blow that kills

 Being better is not having the upper hand

 Or conniving to stay that way

 Being better is not owning

 The appeal of a coarse voice

 Or the sharpness of a sleek tongue.

 Being better is not yelling the loudest

 Or expertly throwing daggers with your eyes

 Or how large your fist is

 Or the charisma in your gait.

Being better isn’t the price of your perfume

 Or its scent carrying with it pomp and circumstance

 Being better isn’t in your last name

 -Your tribal inheritance

 Or which chunk of the country you hail from

 Being better isn’t lording your wealth over others

 Or using the sound of your accent

 To label them lowly.

Being better isn’t in how well

 You manage your high heels

 Or how far you’ve travelled

 From your hometown

 It isn’t in being a certain race

 Or boasting a certain complexion within a race

 Being better isn’t reserved for those of the first world

 Nor is it lodged in your background.

Being better isn’t being the best

 Or being the worst

 Or abiding in the security of mediocrity

 Being better isn’t about Comparison

 But about Exchange.

 Being better is understanding

 How common you are

 How fragile good fortune is

 And that chance -like music- is universal

 A gift awarded us by the grace of God.

Being better is stainless elation

 When your best friend gets married first

 Being better is admiration

 When your nemesis wins the race

 Being better is blameless pride

 When your sister succeeds

 In changing the world.

Is there someone you don’t like?

 And for no particular reason?

 Being better is neutrality with all

 -If not outright fondness

 For that stranger who could be

 A beautiful person

 Believing

 That everybody is magnificent

 Acknowledging

 That your worst enemy is only so

 Because of the weight of his worst days

 Extract the color of discrimination from your vision

 View the world in black-and-white

 For you are the same as your worst enemy

 And his too

 -You are human.

Copyright © 2012 Tebogo Ndlovu

First published ; http://theamateursquill.wordpress.com

Second publication;   http://scribbledn.blogspot.com

How to write a C.V.....

The CV is a critical tool for getting you the interview for the job you want. There has been a paradigm shift from focus on qualifications to a focus on experience and competencies. An employer wants to know what difference you will make to his bottom line and he only gets this information from the information you provide him in the CV. Nowadays there are several types of CVs. You don’t strictly have to stick to a chronological one. It simply depends on your particular circumstances, employment history and what you feel comfortable with. If you don’t have a lot of work experience or you are changing careers, then you can write a functional CV. This type of resume focuses on skills, responsibilities and accomplishments with little emphasis on dates and specific work experiences. It is organized by functional titles that explain general areas of expertise. It is important to note that the employer will catch on to your avoidance to put down specific periods of employment and naturally they will be suspicious and raise an eyebrow. A combination of the chronological and functional formats is probably the best. Chronological work dates and competencies / skills are highlighted. Always make sure you provide all the information the employer is looking for. A CV should include the following information:- Personal particulars including starting date, reasonable salary expectations and contact details. Educational Background – school subjects and qualifications Work Experience Other relevant information – special memberships, hobbies, extracurricular activities and miscellaneous skills. Unless otherwise specified keep a CV brief. Depending on your level of experience, it should be no more than 3-6 pages. You will therefore have to leave out irrelevant work experience such as your holiday job at Edgars in April 2001 when you are applying for the Marketing Manager position. In your CV, be sure to use keywords. Keywords describe the skills required for each job. These words can easily be picked up from the advertisement or job description. However don’t simply repeat the words in the advert elaborate on them to show that you truly are proficient in that particular field and you understand what the employer is looking for. Know your limitations and don’t exaggerate your achievements. Don’t leave out any information about yourself. This includes references. People like to say “referees available on request”. This is giving work to the employer. Put references that the employer can contact without you priming them first. It gives the employer confidence that he will receive a reliable reference. Make sure you present your resume well. Employers will give it a brief initial glance and depending on how it catches their attention they may or may not give it another look. So it needs to be striking and attention grabbing. It should be neatly typed on good quality paper and it should match the paper used for the resume. As I mentioned last week, the spelling and grammar needs to be perfect. Also make use of standard fonts and avoid any complex formatting especially when sending your resume via email or submitting it online. Through implementation of these tips, you will be one step closer to the job interview for your dream job.

By Thembani Chikowore.

#Thembani Chikowore is the Recruitment Manager at Sesani Skills which specialises in Procurement of Management Skills for the Mining and Construction industry.

And one of our own achieves!!!!!!!

Our former Vice President of The Rotaract of Matopos  our very own Pamela N Mukwenha  who is currently in exile  in South Africa *for academic reasons* was selected out of a million global applicants to be a delegate at a Global Change makers summit which was held in England recently. Pamela  an undergraduate student of Chemical Engineering at the University of Pretoria is also the cofounder of Jamili Afrika an organisation that she started with her friends to promote the good name of Africa.Her selection to be a delegate at the summit automatically makes her an ambassador of the Global Change makers programme .The Global Changemakers programme is managed by the British Council Switzerland. The British Council is the United Kingdoms’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities .The Global Change makers are a select group of young people, aged from 16 to 25, who have demonstrated a significant track record of achievement in their local communities through social entrepreneurship, community activism and volunteer work. These exceptional young people are part of a global network where they share ideas, knowledge, and best practices, and where they work individually and together on projects that directly impact the lives of those in their local communities. Currently there are over 730 change makers from 120 countries working alongside more than 50,000 other young people to promote positive social change.

Pamela credits her love for community development through social entrepreneurship to her work as a youth ambassador under the Ministry of Education & JICA, her experiences with Rotaract Matopos and Lead Us Today . The Club congratulates her on her achievement and clearly the world will continue to shake because of ‘small giants” like her. Amhlophe ,Makorokoto "usifake emephini siyaziqhenya ngawe'   #we are proud of you#.

By Xris Chaks 

Rotaractor of the month........

Since the inception of this online newsletter the editorial team has been throwing ideas of featuring an article that zooms in at  club members lives in detail, as we cover the face beyond rotaract. In honour of International Women’s Day blah blah *that was months back, I was given the task to cover an in depth feature on the socialite/globe trotter/research fellow/Engineer our very own Nomzamo Qaziwe Moyo affectionately known to me as Nomzet Q ,who judging from the numerous titles and conquests qualifies to join Forbes magazine's long list of Africa's most influential and successful women.

You see with Nomzet being an avid globe trotter it took me weeks to just set up an interview with her,  she being voted the Club's most travelled person and one of the busiest women I know, the task was not that easy. Thanks to internet we decided to set up an online meeting, via Skype ,so there I was in some lousy restaurant in Mutare on a laptop *not mine, one I had borrowed from a friend, one of those good second hand me down hp laptops* , anyway where was I, oh yes!, the restaurant in Mutare seeping black “rooibos” tea *my favourite by the way *.So there I was online, Miss Nomzet on the other end, at some fancy restaurant in Bulawayo feasting on a slice of a mouth watering much talked about “black forest” chit chatting to me and this is what she had to say....

Me: Nomzamo Qaziwe Moyo (NQM)  hie

NQM: hie Xris....

I laugh she makes it a point when calling my name spelling the Chris with an "X" at the beginning.Wanting to save my hard earned airt time *by the way am using one of those juice up with airtime Econet modems* so i get straight to the point and start asking the questions I have prepared for this our brief interview.

Me: So tell us, who Nomzamo Qaziwe Moyo is,and whilst you are at it,you might as well tell us what makes you tick........

she laughs obviousy not expecting this serious talk from someone like me, she pauses, takes a huge bite of the mouth watering cake, sips her cup of what looks like coffee and says with a smile.....

NQM:Am a 23 year old extrovert......*she giggles* you see Chris am a person driven by urge,it is the challenge at every corner that makes me tick....

I smile, obviously it is evident from the way she speaks and from the activities she has been involved in she is clearly someone that defies the odds, someone driven by urge, I mean HELLO, this lady has bunjie jumped at the Victoria falls,canoed the Zambezi, well she being a black person *of coz I don’t meant it in a Martin Luther whites treat black like equals racial kind of sense for god sake am black* and a woman for that matter I instantly find her intriguing.....

Me: Extrovert I see, so besides being passionate about doing the scary stuff what are you passionate about.....

NQM: The  prize has to go to  travel, I love to travel, and Iv been labelled the clubs ‘Globe Trotter’, even though am just starting. I love to see sights and to do crazy things. The craziest so far being the 72m leap of faith into the Zambezi Gorge, an hour before the rope broke…recently I touched a baboon, am pretty nervous around baboons. Am thinking of launching  a ‘keep our travel destinations clean’ campaign.

Me.; wow!!! Am speechless ......

 anyway I quickly change the topic, I mean being a male chauvinist ,listening to this woman rant and rave about her numerous conquests insults my masculinity and makes me  as a man feel like some sissy/woman *lol ,of coz I  don’t  mean any of  it *  we continue talking

  Me: so tell me in your own words what is true happiness?

NQM: True happiness is when you eat strawberry ice cream with black forest at any time of the day and not have anyone nag you about it…….(joking). *we both laugh,but her laughs are delayed coz of the network, I mean HELLO we are on skype and econet internet sucks at times* True happiness is when one reaches a point of self actualization, and they are just content about everything in them and around them.

By now am thinking Maslow hierarchy of needs blah blah blah, she takes me back to high school history class with this whole self actualization yada yada

Me: If you could go back in time what would you do differently or change in your life? 

NQM I would do everything more, I’d love more, care more and steal all of Isaac Newton’s notes and publish them as my own, then I’d give college students hell in the future and still be famous….

This girl is a super freak, I like that about her, eish! have mad love for people like her , anyway,

Me: if you hadn’t been born in this century, When and where would you like to have lived?

NQM : Zululand, definitely Zululand during the time of the Great King uTshaka. It would greatly reduce my fashion woes.

Well I laugh, Nomzamo is one of those typically insane people  who when you talking to them  your mind will be constantly racing with questions like how on earth does Ingutsheni psychiatric hospital leave such people walking scot free whilst they continue to hold on to some patients that are far better than her, anyway just for the record she reminds me of me actually, well and some other club members (Thandi, Mpume, Hellen eish the list is long ,good Lord this interview isn’t about me or the other club members is it, it’s about Nomzamo, anyway I move on to the more serious stuff after a heavy bout of laughter,*uurrghmmm .....#clearing throat, by now the rest of the people in this restaurant, well oh by the way am in a restaurant,*oh yah i had mentioned that before* are mostly probably thinking who’s this geek that’s talking to and laughing at a computer screen, they must probably think am a freak or something, anyway who cares ,so where was I ,oh! yes the more serious stuff

Me: Women empowerment and empowering girls to take part in previously male dominated field is a hot topic.Well being a “woman///girl in the Engineering field what are your sentiments or views on this issue and how do u feel this can be applied to an ordinary African girl ?

NMQ: The minute people stop calling us ‘ordinary African women/girls’ and start calling us ‘people’ a lot would be achieved. The industry is still dominated by men only because most women are still mentally imprisoned. I also believe people shouldn’t wait for empowerment; people should also earn their power.

I think to myself there’s a woman who speaks so much sense, yes why wait for empowerment when in actual fact you can work hard to reach that same level that your male counterparts have reached, besides there are a lot of women in history that achieved a lot of things way before this empowerment thing had started, the likes of Madame Curie our own female comrades that fought to liberate this country, yes! there wasn’t women empowerment then but somehow they did it, it only takes individual drive.

So I continue to seep my rooibos tea while she munches her black forest, I continue with the interview

Me: Who are your heroes? and why?

NMQ: My big brother is my hero because he gives me money. My dad is my hero cause I think his wise, even though you’d never catch me telling him that. My mum is my hero because she fusses over me, and I secretly enjoy it. My little sister is my hero because she’s good at keeping me in check.

OOok I expected the sooooo last year cliché statement that every famous person says when asked on Oprah or radio “ My heroe is Nelson Mandela,Oprah Winfrey...” blah blah blah but this women suprises me by telling me her family members are her heroes, by now am chuffed ,anyway am running out of time and by now the airtime in my modem is running out, the waiters in this restaurant are obviously waiting for their tip, daah am black, African and Zimbo we sooO don’t tip waiters that happens in the movies, here we simply smile and assume a friendly mazvita henyu sista /ngyabonga my cee   is enough, I ask the final questions before rounding up the interview

Me: Nomzet

NMQ: yes Chris!

Me: Besides the whole bunch of five kids and stuck with a boring husband that you so don’t love,were do u see yourself in the next 10 years.

NMQ :  I’ll be 33….and my current business will have doubled. Maybe I’ll have furthered my career….. I’ll take each day as it comes.

Me: any last word for the reader

NMQ: Read James 4vs 2-3….

Because of lack of time, well lack of a bible actually *of coz i have a bible am just joking*,am still to look up James 4,well I will leave you the reader to look for the verse, should you find it please share below this post. I must say it was nice talking to this young Rotaractor that has achieved so much, our very own Michel Obama, in the next issue we zoom in on another Rotaractor’s life, AM OUT!

By Christopher Chakwana ( Chris Xris Chaks )

THE PINK MOVE......

Show you care....be aware

In the month of October and when you hear the word pink the first thing that pops into your head is…or should be…breast cancer!

Unfortunately, not everybody knows about it and those who do, like you tend to think it’s a disease of the developed world. Here’s a  reality check people: according to WHO Global Burden of Disease (2004) ‘a majority (69%) of all breast cancer deaths occurs in developing countries’. Right now breast cancer is at your door step and if you don’t take the time to know about it you could be the next person adding to the statistics.

Speaking of knowing about it, let’s look at some key things:

What is breast cancer?

It’s basically an abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells in your breast tissue. The growth results in a lump in your breast which keeps increasing in size and if left unchecked some of the cells detach from the lump and spread to other parts of the body.

Who does it affect?

Mainly women

It’s the top cancer in women worldwide however there are some rare cases where men also get the disease.

On this note, let me shift to the guys for a bit…this also includes you…in terms of getting the disease as well as being affected if your girlfriend or wife has it. You need to encourage your woman to do regular breast self-examinations and go for screenings. It may shock you when I say that some women owe their lives to their men who discovered their breast lumps for them but it is true. Be part of her support system; show her you care and be aware!

What are some of the risk factors?

• Being female
• Having someone in your family who’s had the disease
• Risk increases with increase in age after 50 (unfortunately, more and more younger women are getting the disease)
• Increased exposure to hormones eg use of Oral Contraceptives

Why is there a high mortality rate?

2 words- Late diagnosis

Late diagnosis has been the main reason for a high mortality here in Kenya with an estimation that 80 to 90 per cent of breast cancer patients go for consultations when they are in stage 3 and stage 4 of the disease (final stages of the disease).

Now here is the crazy thing….if you did regular self breast examinations, you will definitely be able to detect the cancer in its earlier stages. Any abnormal change should make you go to the doctor as soon as possible; if it is cancer the fact that you caught it early gives you a better fighting chance against it.

Don’t believe me, then I’ll let WHO (World Health Organization) say it:

‘...Breast cancer is the top cancer in women worldwide and is increasing particularly in developing countries where the majority of cases are diagnosed in late stages...’

‘...EARLY DETECTION in order to improve breast cancer outcome and survival remains the CORNERSTONE of breast cancer control...’

(WHO Breast Cancer and Control)

The Pink Move aims to spread this message; hence imparting to women the knowledge and power to be more breast aware and therefore, seek early consultation and improve their health outcomes.

How are we doing this?

1. Training

Medical students, Rotary and Rotaract Club members will be taught about breast cancer, breast awareness, and how to share that information with other students as well as the general public.

2. Open meetings

These will be organised for university students and the general public at which the trained medical students, Rotarians and Rotaractors will share information on breast cancer and teach breast awareness skills.

3. Media

This includes radio, print and social media. Using what we can to get the information out there. In fact this newsletter your reading is part of the print media; if you don’t already know we have a Facebook page called The Pink Move and you can follow us on twitter @ThePinkMove for more information on breast cancer as well as what we’ve been up to.

This is what we as the Medical Students Association of Kenya (MSAKE) and the Rotaract Club of Nairobi North are doing…working together in a collaborative effort to empower women with the knowledge they need to protect themselves.

So, come support us and help save the people in your community.

By Olympia Tombe

Assistant Project Co-ordinator for The Pink Move,

Club Services Director (Rotaract Club of Nairobi North)