I am grateful that I can talk on ethical issues in this column and as I continue to do so every week, I become more convinced that what Philosopher Albert Einstein says is perennial wisdom that we must embrace in our everydayness. Einstein (1879-1955) says: there is one best way of teaching or showing the way to someone else: good example. One can teach or preach as much as possible to others, but what will inspire and touch the hearts of others is good example.
Another great spiritual master, Francis of Assisi (1182-1242), said to his Franciscan followers: teach the gospel, use only a few words. He meant that their peaching would best inspire others through their good example.
So today I want to share the story of five members of the Rotary Club of Babati who have done and continue to do generous deeds in the various communities in Manyara and Singida Regions.
One of their signature projects is their service to Mothers and infants to make sure that they improve the quality of and accessibility to ante-natal and post-natal healthcare for Maasai mothers, babies and infants in that region. Using an integrated, culturally sensitive approach, the project created an innovative, sustainable healthcare delivery model that dramatically improved maternal and infant survival rates and overall community health in target areas.
This project, conducted between 2018 and 2023, cost about four hundred million shillings that was donated by Rotary International and other stakeholders in the region. The five Rotarians gave their time, energy and other resources for this project, without being paid a penny. Such is the selfless spirit of Rotary.
Their other project in the Bashnet territory (in 2020), consisted of increasing the quantity and quality of medical services in fighting against transmissible and non-transmissible diseases and improvement of health especially maternal and neonatal health.
These Rotarians also installed two water sources in Magugu and Galapo in cooperation with Outreach International. They also purchased incubator machines for premature babies at Magugu Health Center in the Babati Municipal Council.
Being aware of the needs of those with hearing disabilities, they bought hearing aids for deaf Primary school students in Dongobesh. You can imagine the impact such services have on these children. No words can describe their feelings of joy when they can communicate with others. Service above self, indeed!
We admire and appreciate these Babati Rotarians who join other Rotarians worldwide (about 1.4 million of them) in creating lasting impact in their communities as volunteers who are not paid in any way. These invaluable good examples teach us in ways that no preaching can.
