Posted by RC Syokimau Cluster on Nov 16, 2021
 
IPDG Patrick Obath receives a donation of kshs 500,000 from Simba Cement representatives.
 
Golf, trees, blood donations, networking and fun don’t often appear in the same sentence. But this is exactly what happened on the 13th of November when nine Rotary Clubs came together at Machakos Golf Club to host a charity golf tournament. The tournament raised Ksh 1.2 million  to undertake water projects in Machakos County.
 
In addition, the clubs planted one hundred trees in partnership with Equity Group  Foundation and took part in a blood drive run by the Kenya Blood Transfusion Service. “I am truly humbled that nine Rotary clubs could come together to pull off this great occasion,” Rotary District 9212 Assistant Governor Dr. Patrisio Njeru said.  “It is almost surreal because the entire event started as an idea in conversation one day. And now, here we are.”
 
IPDG Eng. Patrick Obath shares a light moment with AG Dr. Patrisio Njeru before tee off
 
It was a wonderful experience, not just for golfers, most of whom completed 18 holes, but for non-golfers as well. Trail blazing by winning the Best Effort Award was a member of the organizing committee, Kaluki Kyalo from Rotary Club of Nairobi Magharibi. Understandably, it was her first time on the course.
 
It was a first time for many, a number of whom participated in the golf clinic. “How exciting to learn how to putt, and then go to the practice range to swing,” President Njoki Kiama of Rotary Club of Athi River said.
 
The overall winner was Rtn Armstrong Theuri from the Rotary Club of Syokimau.
 
While parents were playing golf, many of the children spent the day swimming and in the playgrounds.
 
Golf is often termed a lazy sport, but after a day of putting, swinging and walking the course, many non-golfers attest to how exhausting and yet calming and refreshing the game of golf is. From several conversations, new golfers have been created. Attracting over fifty golfers and one hundred participants, the Machakos Golf Club deemed this an extremely successful event. The first member teed off at 6:30am and the event wrapped well after 11pm.
 
Club presidents pose with IPDG Eng. Patrick Obath, DGE Azeb Asrat and AG Dr. Patrisio Njeru
 
The participating clubs were the Rotary Clubs of Machakos, Emali, Athi River, Kitengela, Syokimau, Stoni Athi, Industrial Area, Embakasi and Nairobi Magharibi, Nairobi Industrial Area, as well as the Rotaract Clubs of Syokimau, Athi River and Kitengela.
“We intend to renovate ablution blocks, provide 10,000-liter water tanks and sanitary towels to four public schools in Machakos County,’’ Dr. Njeru said.

Dr. Njeru led the Rotarians in putting together the event alongside the guest of honour Eng. Patrick Obath, the current KEPSA Foundation Chairperson and Kenya Open Golf Tournament Director.

``One of the toughest challenges for schools in the region is clean, accessible water. Hundreds of students will benefit from the project. Clean water equates to better health, better health equates to better learning,’’ Eng. Obath said.
 

RC Machakos President Desire Aime and IPDG Patrick Obath receive reusable sanitary packs donation from Afripads
 
The event would not have been a success without the generous contribution of the sponsors, Simba Cement who were the Platinum Sponsor, Kenya National Highways Authority, Lukenya Schools and Friends, AFRIpads, Tile and Carpet Center, Lysak Haven Park, Tabaki Freight Services, Parapet Ltd., Makamithi Agrovet, Abacus School and members of the organizing committee.
 
IPDG Patrick Obath (L) and DGE Azeb Asrat (R)
 
The event was graced by Rotary District 9212 Governor-Elect Azeb Asrat, Immediate Past District Governor Eng. Patrich Obath and his spouse, Terri Obath. Other officials present were Assistant Governors Jimia Yassin and Dan Awendo, District Head of Strategy Tito Tadeo, District Trainer Jane Katuga, New Generations District Chair Roger Obare and the Presidents of represented clubs.
 
“Rotary is about giving, and when many come together to give, great things are achieved. This event is proof of that. And it will be a first of many,” Dr. Njeru said. “We give special thanks to Dr. Susan Musyoka, Lydia Kimondo and the entire planning committee which comprised of members of all nine clubs. A true showing of teamwork indeed.”
 
New member induction for RC Machakos