RCUG records 10 yrs of successful community service

Aug 11, 2014 News

— as sustained developmental plans are embraced

With projects the likes of a literacy programme at the Victoria Primary school, the Rotaract Club of the University of Guyana (RCUG) has been making an indelible impression on the local society by helping to reverse a daunting trend of illiteracy.

RCUG Rotaractors working hard with students of the Victoria Primary School during a Saturday morning session.

And come September, RCUG will celebrate three years since the commencement of this flagship project, which is regarded as one of its most ambitious yet. At least this was recently outlined by Rotaractor and Public Relations Officer, Marcelie Sears.
Conducted on Saturdays at the East Coast Demerara primary school, Sears quipped that the project, which was introduced in 2012 is one characterized by two-hour long tutoring sessions for students of Grade Three through Six.
The project, which is facilitated by Rotaractors, together with volunteer teachers from the school, was in fact prompted by an evident need for more focus on reading, writing and comprehensive skills among children along the East Coast Demerara. And in order to ensure that project is in keeping with what is required at the level of public schools, Sears said that sessions fully embrace the curriculum developed by the Ministry of Education’s National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).
The laudable outcomes of the project thus far have allowed for it to be singled out, along with six other projects across the globe, by Rotary International for auspicious recognition in 2013. The Recognition was the Rotaract Outstanding Projects Award in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Like the others recognized, the project easily stood out as it aligned with two of Rotary’s areas of focus: Basic Education, Literacy, Economic and Community Development; and assisted in changing the lives of many children in the target community.
RCUG has however been making an even greater impact in the society since its establishment a decade ago.
With a mission to nurture leadership, responsible citizenship, high ethical business standards and ultimately foster a better lifestyle for young adults, the RCUG was brought into being in 2005. The Club, which is a service group sponsored by the Rotary Club of Georgetown consists of membership drawn from current and past students of the University of Guyana.
Moreover, RCUG is recognized as an organization of talented and motivated young professionals who demonstrate a capacity for leadership, intelligence, proven work ethic and integrity.

Members of the Rotaract Club of the University of Guyana proudly flank UG’s Registrar, Vincent Alexander and Public Relations Officer, Ms. Paulette Paul, at a Club Handing Over ceremony last month venued at the Grand Coastal Inn, East Coast Demerara.

According to Sears, the goals of the Club are often accomplished through projects.
These, she outlined, fall under the umbrella of five committees – Community Service, International Service, Professional Development, Club Service, and Finance.
Speaking to the genesis of RCUG, Sears said that it was first envisioned by The Rotary Club of Georgetown (RCG), which is regarded as the oldest Rotary Club in Guyana with a solid track record of supporting Rotaract and Interact programmes.
However, the first Rotaract Club, which was established in 1985, was the Rotaract Club of Georgetown. But it was with a view of ensuring that future leaders were nurtured and developed, the RCG felt that the establishment of a new Rotaract Club to celebrate 100 years of Rotary International in 2005 would be a fitting project to pursue.
Acknowledging that University-based Rotaract clubs were becoming a popular phenomenon throughout the Rotary world, moves were soon made to introduce the RCUG. RCUG was therefore the first and remains the only University based-Rotaract club in Guyana.
According to the ‘New Generations Director’ of Rotary Georgetown, Sheldon Hazelwood the RCUG started out with just nine members. “Though its beginning was somewhat shaky, the club was able to stabilise and emerge as winners of District Awards with great effort from a few notable Rotaractors,” Hazelwood noted.
It was therefore the dedicated efforts of those involved, he added, that has allowed for the Club to survive 10 years. Hazelwood is convinced that although the Club is still considered young, its development will continue to be consistent.
In the quest to sustain its development, RCUG has a plethora of activities planned this year under the theme – “Igniting Service through Innovation, Living the Rotaract Way.” This theme, according to Sears, was presented at a forum last month and is meant to encapsulate the RCUG mission for this year.
Moreover, the creation of service projects with more impact and better execution will be demonstrated while maintaining the values of Rotaract. Efforts, according to her, will also be made to create fresh impactful projects even as attention will be directed to sustaining and improving on former projects.
Among the planned projects are: fun-filled fellowship activities like the club Weekend Retreat and Go-Cart Racing; development opportunities in the form of multiple workshops for its membership; and even various service projects intended to benefit the community as a whole.
Currently RCUG membership meets at the Health Sciences Building at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen campus on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. And for those desirous of making contact with Club officials, an email can be sent to [email protected] or persons could also visit the Club’s Facebook page.