A great year for rotary in ethiopia
By Tesfu Telahoun

The path towards sustainable development and universal prosperity is a difficult one but nevertheless, a journey which we are destined to take by virtue of our obligations as global citizens. The embodiment of a worthy life is to strive in order that many more others can be empowered with the same spirit of selflessness.
One of the most internationally successful community service initiatives is the Rotary movement which has to its name over 1.2 million members in 32,000 chapters in more than 200 countries including Ethiopia.
In Ethiopia, Rotary was introduced in 1956 with the first club, Rotary Club of Addis Ababa, and currently has grown to include a membership of nearly 300 in four other clubs - the Rotary Club of Addis Ababa East, Addis Ababa West, Addis Ababa Bole, Addis Ababa Entoto. Rotary Club of Addis Ababa Finot has recently been chartered with another club in Gondar soon to be inducted.
A natural result of the Rotarian ethos "Service Above Self", the Rotary clubs of Addis Ababa have recently conducted what will be rated as a seminal event in the history of Rotary in Ethiopia.
Known internationally as the 'Rotary Youth Leadership Awards'- RYLA - the program aims to nurture committed youth to serve as peer leaders with a view to disseminating further the goals and aspirations of the worldwide Rotary movement.
A gala awards ceremony was held on July 7, 2007 at Hibir Ethiopia, officially concluding the successful inaugural RYLA Ethiopia 2007.
The occasion was attended by Guest of Honour Mr. Charalambos M. Psimas, Bambis, a veteran Rotarian of 47 years of service, Rotarians, Rotaractors, invited dignitaries and guests.
The awards ceremony kicked off with a photo exhibition featuring RYLA Ethiopia 2007 activities before, during and after the leadership training conducted first in Addis Ababa on May 12th, in Ambo on May 25-27th and concluded on June 2nd with an educational visit to MUYA Ethiopia, at which they gleaned historical and cultural insights by Rotarian Jacques Dubois. The leadership training was facilitated by the experts from SAK Business and Personal Development, a local consultancy firm.
Rotarian Melbana Seifu, Secretary of R.C. of Addis Ababa delivered a welcoming address where she also offered a toast to Ethiopia. This was followed by the speech of RYLA 2006/07 Chairperson Rotarian Teguest Yilma.
"The very success of RYLA Ethiopia 2007, one of the highlights of the year's Rotary activities, indicates that the Rotary spirit is not only alive and well in Ethiopia but indeed has planted the seeds of the future by the accomplishments of our Rotractors. To us the RYLA Ethiopia 2007 organizing committee, these youth are living proof that the motto - 'Service Above Self' - will be carried like a bright torch from one generation to another," said a beaming Teguest who competently organized a successful RYLA.
A special presentation by District Governor Nominee 2009/10 Dr. Tadesse Alemu followed during which Rtc Tigist Rese was recognized RYLA Ethiopia 2007 Heroine for her selfless service in the Eagle - Camping group during the training in Ambo. Tigist was very instrumental in preparing a successful event but was sadly the victim of a camping incident and had to return to Addis without attending the fruit of her labours.
DGN Dr. Tadesse recalled the most shocking accident she encountered when a tree fell on her and announced cheerfully to the delight of all present that she was now back on her feet.
A special gift from MUYA Ethiopia was also presented to her. DGN Dr. Tadesse thanked the prompt actions of all involved in the rescue following the accident, and expressed his gratitude on behalf of all Rotarians to Rtn. Dr. Berhanu Tadesse who attended immediately to obtaining her the best medical treatment in Addis Ababa.
A comprehensive outline of RYLA Ethiopia objectives and a description of the inaugural 2007 edition was presented by Rotaractor Temesgen Tilahun of Rotaract Club of Mela, in which he thanked all Rotarians and the various sponsor organizations and individuals for contributing toward the realization of this milestone event in Rotary history in Ethiopia.
Also addressing the gathering was Rotaractor Nebiyu Asferachew, former president of Rotaract Club of Abugida. Nebiyu stressed the need for a committed youth instilled with community welfare inspired values and social consciousness.
"The youth are the future of our country and we should all stand committed to bettering ourselves through serving our country," said Nebiyou.
The assembled Rotarians, distinguished guests and other invitees partook in a cultural banquet along with being entertained by the presentation of Rotaractors of a traditional regional costume 'fashion show' coordinated by Rtc. Hawarya Mulugeta from Rotaract club of Abugida. Rotaractor couples represented each of Ethiopia's regions and language groups as they modelled the fantastic array of traditional clothing to a very appreciative audience.
And as the dress code for the occasion was mandatory traditional for all, the hall of Hibir Ethiopia was a sea of white spun-cotton as well as colourful folkloric costumes with Rotarians, Rotaracts and guests resplendent in exquisite embroidery, giving the occasion added grace and an authentic Ethiopian air - This against a backdrop of a streamed video of RYLA activities which was on view throughout the event.
Following a delicious dinner, Country Chair 2006/07 Rotarian Samrawit Moges gave an illuminating report on Rotary activities during the Rotary calendar year which ends on July each year. CC Samrawit highlighted the major achievements of Rotary clubs in Ethiopia and praised the Rotaract Clubs who have developed faster than the Rotary Clubs in the country - seven existing with two in the pipeline and two Interact clubs (ages 14 to 18).
Although RYLA Ethiopia 2007 is a great achievement for Rotary in Ethiopia, she also left with us a few words of advice in that "we must strive harder next year, in order to build on the momentum we have created."
Rotarian Melbana Seifu, expertly emceed the schedules of items on the extensive program for the night but that feat is like nothing compared to Melbana's crucial input in regard to the difficult but necessary task of selecting the winning group from an obviously distinguished batch of competing groups.
RYLA Ethiopia 2007 was conducted among 10 groups of Rotractors assigned with specific responsibilities and related duties in separate tasks. The 10 groups comprised a total of 83 Rotractors from the Rotaract clubs of Addis Ababa, namely Abugida, Alegnta, Keroggie, Lewet, Mela, Ra'ey, and Solyana.
The groups were identified by their 'call signs':
Mother Goose - Charged with food preparation
Ants - Providing drinks
The Eagles - Setting camp
The Elephancy group - Taking care of the documentation
Shoebill - Assigned for transportation
Lions - Handling security
The Cats - Protecting the ecology
Dolphins - Providing first aid
and the twin group, The Monkeys ensuring that RYLA Ethiopia 2007 was not all work but a chance to unwind, make friends and have fun, as should such activities always be.
The Eagles were announced winners of RYLA Ethiopia 2007 amid acclamation and cheers. Rtc Negede Gezahegn, President of Abugida and team leader of the camping group received the rotating trophy on behalf of his group. In addition to their winners' certificates, all members of the group including their advisor, DGN Dr. Tadesse won a round trip ticket to Lalibela, courtesy of Ethiopian Airlines, platinum sponsor for the event.
In addition to the many individual and corporate sponsors, without whom RYLA Ethiopia 2007's success would have been less likely, said Rotarian Teguest, appreciating the invaluable assistance of Nyala Insurance, BGI Ethiopia, Travel Ethiopia, Moplaco Trading Co. Ltd., United Insurance, Bambis, Orbis, and Ethiopian Airlines. The support of Muya Ethiopia, Sangham, Moenco, Green International Logistic Services, Airlink and Meskel Flowers was also invaluable.
In his closing remarks, RYLA Chair 2007/08 Rotarian Gebre Egziabher Bekele said,
"It is our belief and hope that your kind support to this noble cause will continue on the next RYLA Ethiopia 2008."
Rtn. Gebre Egziabher expressed delight at the successful implementation of Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program in Ethiopia, adding that RYLA Ethiopia 2007 has set the standard for the future.
Past District Governor Rotarian Nahu Senaye Araya, briefed Rotary's aims and objective and called on all Rotarians present at the event to pass a motion nominating Rotarian Teguest Yilma as Rotarian of the Year 2006/07 for her exemplary work in conducting RYLA Ethiopia 2007, which was unanimously seconded.
The Rotary movement in Ethiopia has over half a century of existence and has experienced some daunting obstacles along the way. Rotary's natural development from a modest beginning was dealt a severe setback during the Derg years as such private sector initiatives were frowned upon and even banned for many years. Consequently it has been only during the last decade or so that Rotary in Ethiopia has resuscitated itself and has even managed to organize RYLA Ethiopia 2007.