Rotary urged to play greater role in tackling youth challenges

…looks to expand youth programmes as new leadership takes over NA Club

The Rotary Club of New Amsterdam is being urged to deepen its involvement in addressing challenges affecting young people, including literacy deficiencies, school violence and vaping, as a new leadership team takes charge of the service organisation. The call came from Assistant Governor Rafeek Kassim during the club’s installation ceremony on Friday evening, where Keshia DeCosta was installed as President, succeeding outgoing President Navin Hensraj. Kassim said Rotary’s commitment to service must continue to include programmes aimed at helping young people develop the skills and values needed to become productive citizens. He pointed to concerns about violence among students and the growing prevalence of vaping among youths, noting that service organisations have an important role to play in supporting positive behavioural change. Expressing confidence in the new leadership team, Kassim urged the club to continue expanding its youth-focused initiatives while building on the successes achieved during the past Rotary year.

Among those achievements, he singled out the club’s literacy programme as one of its most impactful projects. The initiative, conducted in collaboration with the National Library, targeted students experiencing difficulties with reading and writing. Kassim said the programme demonstrated that meaningful change could be achieved when community organisations invest in young people. “It was one of the projects that had the greatest impact,” he said, noting that some participants showed significant improvement after just a few weeks of instruction. The ceremony also provided an opportunity for Hensraj to reflect on the accomplishments of the club during his tenure. Among the major achievements was the installation and upgrading of water systems at 12 schools through a partnership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The project, valued at approximately $28 million, also saw students receiving reusable water bottles bearing the Rotary brand. The club also hosted a Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) programme involving 30 students and six presenters. The training focused on leadership development, public speaking, personal growth and career guidance.
Other initiatives included the construction of the Fort Ordinance Play Park, a blood drive that collected approximately 20 units of blood, and a Christmas outreach programme in Moraikobai that benefited more than 200 children. Hensraj said the club also exceeded its contribution target to Rotary Foundation and achieved its Polio Plus goal while supporting humanitarian relief efforts in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa. Fundraising activities, generated more than $2.5 million to support community projects. Reflecting on his year in office, Hensraj described the experience as one of the most meaningful chapters of his Rotary journey. As DeCosta assumes leadership of the club, Kassim said Rotary’s challenge will be to continue creating opportunities for young people while building on programmes that have already demonstrated a positive impact within the community.
The new Rotary year is being guided by the international theme, “Create Lasting Impact.”