Restoring Dignity:

Rotary Donates Usable Items to Sekanyonyi Community

On 6th September 2025, members of the Rotary and Rotaract Club of Bwebajja, together with partner clubs, turned compassion into action through a simple but deeply impactful initiative. At Sekanyonyi Health Centre IV in Mityana District, they delivered over 5 tonnes of reusable items clothes, bedsheets, shoes, bags, and baby toys to support families in need.

The idea was born during earlier visits to the health centre. Rotarians observed patients arriving in torn, dirty clothes, and newborns being discharged without even the most basic baby clothing. Such conditions not only stripped families of dignity but also exposed infants to preventable infections. Recognizing these urgent needs, the clubs organized a collection drive. Members set up a drop-off point at their weekly meetings, encouraging Rotarians and Rotaractors to gather reusable items from their homes and communities.

The response was overwhelming. Families across the Rotary community gave generously, resulting in a wide variety of items for adults, children, and newborns. At Sekanyonyi, distribution was conducted with care, ensuring that vulnerable patients and families received what they needed most. For mothers, receiving baby clothes and toys brought immediate relief and joy. For others, a clean shirt, pair of shoes, or bedding meant renewed comfort and dignity.

The impact of this project reached far beyond material donations. It restored hope among recipients, strengthened community trust, and addressed urgent health concerns, especially for newborns at risk of infections due to lack of proper clothing. It also fostered social cohesion, encouraging community members to look out for one another. When basic needs are met, families are better positioned to focus on education, livelihoods, and long-term well-being.

To ensure the benefits continue, local leaders were engaged to advocate for a community market day where essential items can be accessed affordably. The health centre has also committed to including quality-of-life awareness in its community outreach programs. Meanwhile, Rotary members pledged to make this donation drive an annual tradition, ensuring a steady stream of support for those most in need.

The Donation of Usable Items Project at Sekanyonyi HC IV is a reminder that sometimes the simplest acts sharing what we already have can restore dignity, improve health, and inspire hope. In true Rotary spirit, it showed that service is not always about big budgets, but about big hearts