Wow! Is this a great club or what?! Did anyone see that?! Did anyone see what happened yesterday...Thursday, 8 September 2005? Whether you are orange or banana yesterday all converged at the historic The Stanley Hotel for the historic birthday a la the 75th Anniversary Birthday Celebrations of the Rotary Club of Nairobi.

Below is a brief report on what transpired during one of the most tremendous days in the history of Rotary in District 9200 - Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

By 10.30am Rotarians from our club and their spouses, members from Rotary clubs in Nairobi, Machakos, Thika, Uganda, Ghana, Germany, Rotaractors, the media, and other guests started streaming in.

Come 11.30am.....oh...where is the guest of owner...? Luckily nobody panics....a few minutes later the Hon. Raphael Tuju arrives accompanied by DG Abdulhamid Aboo, President Eric Krystall, PDG Governor Yusuf Kodwavwala among others.

Present during this auspicious event according to our guest book included the following...DG Abdulhamid Aboo, President Eric Krystall, PDG Yusuf Kodwavwala, Rtn. Elizabeth Maloba, Rtn. Sylvia Mwichuli, Rtn. Patrick Udeh, Rtn. Christian Knochenhauer, PP John Savage, Honoray Member Friedel Liebe-Savage, IPP John Simba, Rtn. Nani Croze, Rtn. Hari Nathwani, Rtn. Hussain Ghulam, AG Sudesh Walia, PP Jonathan Campaigne, PP Jerry Owuor, Rtn. Romy Madan, Rtn. Basdev Gautama, Honorary Member Dharm Shakarndass, Rtn. Mohamed Rahemtulla, PP Evleyn Mungai, PP Dinesh Kapila, Rtn. Marcel Werner, Vice President Atia Yahya, Rtn. Rtn. Roland Ramamonjiarisoa, Rtn. Jurgen Ender along with his daughter Katrin, Rtn. Mike Burton, Rtn. Fred Beernaerts, Rtn. Anna Ramamonjiarisoa, Rtn. Yusuf Keshavjee, Rtn. Gavin McEwen, Rtn. Zaf Khan, Rtn. Suli Shah, Rtn. Arthur Mattli, Rtn. Constance Freeman, PP Praful Lakhani, Rtn. Koome Mwambia, Rtn. Willi Strothman, Rtn. Leslie Rowe, Rtn. Flavian Mwangi, Rtn. Atul Shah, Rtn. David Githanga, Rtn. Barbara Steenstrup, Rtn. Kauli Mwembe, Rtn. Dr. Manu Chandaria, Rtn. John Konchellah, PP Omi Nagpal, PP Loray Darsi, PP Arun Devani, Rtn. Barbara Magoha, Rtn. Francis Njiri, Rtn. Dr. Fuwad Abdullah, Rtn. Salim Fazal, Rtn. Mike Fairhead, Rtn. Rhoda Orengo, Rtn. Jitu Brahmbhatt and myself.

Spouses included Marie Kodwavwala, Naseem Lalji, Florence Mattli, Memuna Aboo, Aruna Chandaria, Illa Devani, Angela Burton.

Rotarians from other Rotary Clubs included the Rotary Country Chair Rtn. Harry Mugo, Rtn. Joerg Springman and Rtn. Jeff Bamford from the Rotary Club of Nairobi East, Rtn. Elizabeth Kimkung and Rtn. George Nyagisere from the Rotary Club of Hurlingham, AG Kaushik Manek, President Gerald Nyaguto, PP President Isaac Gitoho all from the Rotary Club of Muthaiga, President George Owino from the Rotary Club of Westlands, President Ken Kariuki and Rtn. George Ooko both from the Rotary Club of Nairobi East, President Swaran Varma from the Rotary Club of Utumishi, President John Okatch, Rtn. Ezekiel Wanjama, Rtn. Muthoni Gichohi, Rtn. Joyce Wanjiku, Rtn. Eric Kimani, Rtn. Edmund Mudibo all from the Rotary Club of Nairobi North, President Laxmi Jagdev from the Rotary Club of Karura, Rtn. Lt. Gen. J. Munyao, Rtn. David Mumo, Rtn. Susan Musyoka, Rtn. Tito Musyoka all from the Rotary Club of Machakos, President William Mwangi and Rtn. Mugo Kirika from the Rotary Club of Thika, President Muchau Githaika, Rtn. Benjamin Muatha, Rtn. George K'Ouma all from the Rotary Club of Langata, PP Catherine Mogambi from the Rotary Club of Milimani, Rtn. Rustam Hira (sp) from the Rotary Club of Nairobi South, Rtn. Donato Fonseca from the Rotary Club of Mombasa, Rtn. Mpuuga Patrick (sp) from Jinja Uganda, Rtn. Major Samuel Kwao Oklah (sp) from Ghana, Rtn. Arbuer Hennerich (sp) from the Rotary Club of Leetzen (sp) in Germany,

From the Rotaract Club of Nairobi Central we had the following Rotaractors...President Nasra Hyder, President Elect Kevin Mududa, Wacu Gatoto, PP Andrew Loketo, Peterson Murimi, Mark Wanyonyi, Michael Kariuki, James Gaita, Karimi Ndiga.

From the Rotaract Club of University of Nairobi we had Rotaractors Wanjiru Njoroge, Chepkurui Serem, K. Kamau, Marion Maina, Mildred Omwebu, Munene Grace, Caroline Mugambi, Emily Kerubo, Mauryn Mungai, Gladys Mutiso and Faith Kinuthia.

From the Rotaract Club of Kenyatta University we had President Loreen Otieno along with Linda Chebichii, Cordelia Namusonge, Wandai Gitonga, Fredick Fundi and Alex Njagi.

From the Rotaract Club of Milimani we had Lawi Njeremani and from the Rotaract Club of Bahari in Mombasa we had Philip Aganyanya.

Among the guests we had Rasmus Precht (sp) from IFRA, Violet Kairu, Nick Hutchinson from Unga Limited, David Wafula from Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited, Waiyaki Hinga among others.

From the media we had Mercy Karanja from Waumini Radio, David Majoni from Bibilia Husema Radio, Makena Wamatiri from Kameme FM, Patrick Nzioka from Nation Media, Miika Kimani and Valerie Aseto from Kenya Times.

Steered by IPP John Simba the birthday bash kicked off at about 11.30am with welcome remarks by our host Mr. Sandy Vohra the Chief Executive Officer of Sarova Hotels.

Mr. Vohra welcomed us back to our home and mentioned that Rotary was born at The Stanley 75 years ago. The very first club meeting was held at The Stanley and the club used to hold its meetings there before shifting to its present venue a few years back.

After him came PDG Governor Yusuf Kodwavwala who gave a brief history on where we have come from. He praised the club for being the most multi-cultural in the District and also proudly commended us for being the most active club in engagement with Rotary International especially when it comes to foundation grants.

Our very own President Eric Krystall came in next and he gave recognition to past Presidents who have steered the club to what it is now.

President Eric gave way to District Governor Abdulhamid Aboo who thanked the club for inviting him to the occasion. He also came with some good news to the club and this was a message and framed certificate to the Rotary Club of Nairobi from the Rotary International President Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar. In his message, the RI President congratulated the club and reminded us that "it is through hands on service and active participation by each Rotarian in each club that our work continues to be meaningful and successful." He also said that this was a special time to celebrate since Rotary was also beginning its second century of 'Service Above Self' and urged us to commit to our motto.

The DG then introduced our Chief Guest Hon. Raphael Tuju the Minister for Information and Communication who promised to be brief and did just that. He talked of his cooperation with Rotary in development activities in his constituency. He mentioned the recent mobile health clinic in his constituency of Rarieda that was coordinated by Rotarians.

With all speeches done it was time for the induction of Paul Harris Fellows in the club. The first person was Rtn. Dr. Manu Chandaria followed by his wife the lovely Aruna. Next came Mrs. Florence Mattli the spouse of our International Service Direct Rtn. Arthur Mattli. Its worth mentioning that Mrs. Mattli was accompanied by baby Theodore Mattli who we believe is a future Rotarian! Lastly was Rtn. Barbara Steenstrup who showed utmost dedication by briefly postponing her engagements in neighbouring Tanzania to come and celebrate her 75th Birthday and also be inducted as a Paul Harris Fellow. Great commitment Barbara!

Then came what may just be the highlight of the function.....the Longtime Award to our Honorary Member Rtn. Dharm Shankardass. Born in 1919 Rotary found him here in Kenya and Dharm has been a Rotarian for 57 whole Years!! Friends, that is a major milestone considering that some of our members are not even 57 years! And here is more interesting facts about our oldest member. Despite being close to 90 years of age, he still has his musical acumen. Dharm still plays the piano. And play he does very well for those of us who stayed a little bit longer watched this. Many thanks to PP Dinesh Kapila for facilitating his presence.

The Annual Dinesh Kapila Award for Excellence followed immediately after and the recipient of this award was Rtn. Eric Kimani from the Rotary Club of Nairobi North for his excellent work in furthering Rotary ideals in Kenya.

A birthday party is not a party without a cake and the biggest birthday cake seen in recent times was ushered in amid mini fireworks. Roughly about 30 kilograms or more the over 120 people present managed to only eat about a quarter of it and the rest was relocated to Mbagathi Road Primary School.

At Mbagathi the enthusiasm was still in vogue and again, Rotarians, Rotaractors and guests cheerfully lent a hand. The following were present at the feeding session at Mbagathi Road Primary School. Kindly point out if your name was left out below (and above at The Stanley). DG Abdulhamid Aboo and Memuna, Salim Fazal, Yusuf and Marie Dawood, Eric Krystall and Nani Croze, Sally and Isaac Gitoho, Dr. Manu Chandaria, Barbara Magoha, John and Freidel Liebe-Savage, David Githanga, Barbara Steenstrup, Romy Madan, Willi Strothman, Jerry Owuor, Marcel Werner, Sylvia Mwichuli, Anna Ramamonjiarisoa, Francis Njiri, Kauli Mwembe, Arun Devani, Suli Shah, Dudley Stannah, Ender Jurgen, Elizabeth Maloba, John Simba, Arthur and Florence Mattli, Sudesh Walia, Jonathan Campaigne, Mohamed Rahemtulla, Rhoda Orengo and myself. We also had some of the above Rotarians, Rotaractors and guests.

The above good people, hand in hand with staff from the Hilton Hotel served a variety of food with joy and zeal and exactly 1,435 (723 boys and 712 girls) students and over 100 parents were fed. The food consisted of rice, Sukuma Wiki, meat and soup and sodas. Many thanks to Rotarians Olivier Vetter and Romy Madan for their contribution here.

Whilst the food distribution was going on DG Aboo officially opened the Kitchen constructed at the school and we wish to thank Rtn. Mohamed Rahemtulla whose tireless efforts saw it from the foundation stone to its eventual opening.

The school is attended by students mostly from the Kibera slums and it consists of 3 streams per class with an average of 60 pupils per class.

We wish to inform all of you that some of the photos taken at The Stanley and Mbagathi Road Primary School will complied into photo albums and passed around at the next fellowship on Thursday, 15 September 2005.

Friends, remember yesterday was just the beginning...the band shall play on and the party shall go on. We shall continue celebrating our birthday and the whole of this Rotary year all our activities will be molded under this theme.

Fellow Rotarians, just like our founder Paul Harris had an idea 100 years ago that grew into Rotary....yesterday's success can be credited to the idea of our very own President Eric Krystall who decided that we celebrate our birthday uniquely by having a simple ceremony (The Stanley) and the Soup Kitchen (Mbagathi Road Primary School & feeding sessions at Jalaram Temple).

His basic principle was that we forego our Thursday lunch and donate the monies to a worthy casue. This worthy cause was the Soup Kitchen and the feeding sessions at Jalaram Mandir Temple. Thank you President Eric! Many thanks to Rtn. Ashok Shah for the smooth flow of things at the temple.

If any one out there still feels generous please channel your donations to the Treasurer Rtn. Mike Fairhead and those who have not paid their Kshs.850 please liaise with Rtn. Mike.

Finally, we wish to thank all those who participated in making our 75th Anniversary a success and especially the organising committee. Once again, the spirit of teamwork and 'Service Above Self' was put together to make yesterday the great accomplishment it was. By just showing up you made yesterday a success.... GUYS YOU ARE GREAT!

Yours in Service
Diamond Lalji
75th Anniversay Committee