As part of Rotaract, what projects have you been involved with? What did these project’s achieve, how was this made possible and why is this important to you?

In my years in the university club, I’ve been involved in bake sales, film nights and a community event where we provided homemade sandwiches to the homeless in the local area. As part of Rotaract Aberdeen, we do litter picks two to three times a year; we’ve ran two years of our “International Dinner” event where our members make food from their home countries as a fundraiser for Turkey/ Syria Earthquake (approx £350) and UN World Food Program for Myanmar earthquake (approx £600); we’ve supported a local children’s charity - Charlie House, with their Santa Run event - 4 years running, Beast Race event and Big Build Ball event; we hosted one Quiz Night in 2024 and we are running our second one in November 2025 raising funds for UCAN charity; we have successfully (with the support of other Rotaractors and Rotarians!) achieved 1985 miles in October, twice in 2024 and 2025, through cycling, running or walking, to raise funds and awareness for End Polio Now. Our biggest success yet is our Colour Run event in June 2025 where we as a club, planned, promoted, built obstacles and hosted a public event with over 310 participants, fundraising for two local childrens charity. We also organised various vocational visits to Brewdog brewery, Books Abroad Charity, North East Foodbank and Charlie House HQ. We work very closely with our local Rotary Clubs - we’ve helped in planting 2023 trees within Aberdeenshire after a bad storm, we did corcus planting in four different areas in Aberdeen, we filled 20 shoeboxes last year, and we regularly help out at the coffee morning events that run twice a year. In my time in the Rotary Club, I have been a part of the International Committee where we supported women in Sierra Leone who live in the streets, to set up businesses to feed their family. We’ve also fundraised and sent 50 mats for the women and children as a trial to prevent further illnesses and death from sleeping on cold, wet floors.

It will take paragraphs for me to explain how we’ve managed to make these possible. The simple answer would be, we have worked very hard as individuals and as a team. We are very fortunate and very grateful to have Rotarians from at least 6 clubs who would always show up and support us. We’ve not only raised funds, but built stronger bonds through every project and that is one of the most precious thing I hold from my experience in Rotaract.

How have you been able to connect with others thanks to Rotaract?

Rotaract is like a second home to me, having moved from my home country to 3 different cities in the UK, Rotaract has been a place where I found and built friendships. I have also met my partner through Rotaract, I am forever grateful to have met him and we continue to work as a team in life and in Rotaract!

How do you think you’ve grown as a person thanks to Rotaract? What opportunities have you had for your own personal development?

In both of my Rotaract Clubs I was in, I was elected as President within my first year of joining. I have been challenged twice, to bring a small club to life, to lead a team of 3 to a team of 7. I have certainly learned about leadership, different working styles, communication skills and managing expectations. This has taken me further to take on DRR roles, deputy of the Rotary Club’s International Committee and various roles in my workplace such as being a union rep.

Why should someone get involved with Rotaract and what advice would you give them?

Once you get into Rotaract, you’ll be welcomed into this big global family where people come together and do good. You should be prepared to keep an open mind, learn and definitely, play a part in various projects, you can contribute more than you think.

What’s your proudest moment as a Rotaractor?

As cliche as it sounds, it would be everytime we’ve ran a successful project, that I know will make or have made, an impact to someone’s life somewhere. Socialising and networking is great, but to be able to make a difference is what I am in Rotaract for.

How does your Rotaract work reflect your passions or career goals?

My passion is simply to be compassionate to everyone and the world. What I have always said to introduce Rotaract to new members is that, Rotaract opens doors to endless opportunities. Personally, that means I can lead various projects or work with many charities, to contribute to different causes. I am passionate about helping others, service above self, and I’d struggle to stay in one charity for one cause, so Rotaract is the best place for me. I work as an NHS Physiotherapist and I do hope that one day I’ll be able to venture into third sector jobs in the future years.

If you could describe Rotaract in three words, what would they be?