By: Precious Mills
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts– On Thursday 12th October, the District Rotaract Representative (DRR), Kezra Lashley, who hails from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, arrived in the Federation for the purpose of a 4-day business trip (12th to 15th October).
The Rotaract Club of St.Kitts (a youth group organisation sponsored by the Rotary Club of St.Kitts) hosted a brief welcome ceremony held at the Yu Lounge private facility located on the premises of the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport.
Among those in attendance were Past President, Club Services Director and Support ADRR (Assistant District Rotaract Representative) Reginald Johnson; ADRR Kadian Banton; Secretary Chrisantha Boon and Assistant Treasurer Najee Warner.
About his first time visit to St.Kitts-Nevis, Lashley who is a member of Rotarcat Club of Piarco UWI, said he is happy to be here.
“My job as District Rotaract representative of District 7030 is to promote the Rotaract programme in the District. Rotaract really is for young persons between the ages of 18 to 30 where we promote community service, professional development, networking and fellowship so it’s an honour and privilege to be here to work with the Rotaract Clubs of St.Kitts and Nevis.”
While in the federation, the visiting DRR is slated get updates on community service projects from both clubs as well as conduct professional development training sessions with club members.
While fielding questions from the media, Lashley focused on talking about the positive impact that Rotaract has on the lives of young people.
“This year our district’s theme is ‘Make A Difference, Leave Your mark’ and that theme is really calling on everyone to realize that they have a specific purpose in the world so we are looking at encouraging each Rotaractor to realize that they have a purpose and to engage their purpose of making a difference…Even in St.Kitts- Nevis, we are encouraging Rotaractors to make that positive difference.”
He added: “Mother Teresa said if you can’t feed a thousand persons just feed one. So it’s really about finding what you can do and doing it to the best of your ability.”
Commenting on his early on involvement in the Rotaract Club, Lashley talked about being inspired after participating in an outreach effort.
“So I became a Rotaractor in 2007. Back then I was in secondary school with my friends in form 6 and we were just looking for something to do in the afternoons… after school. It was really that opportunity to see how we can make a difference. We started with a project that impacted an orphanage and we just went to read to the children, and to see how they responded to us and how they looked forward to seeing us that really developed my eyes as to the difference that young people can make; just the simple acts, the things we take for granted how it’s so important to other people.”
Rocking With Rotaract!