RYLA JUNIOR YOUTH CAMP

RYLA JUNIOR YOUTH CAMP
By Patricia Miria Mbabazi
The 3 day camp took place at Entebbe Scripture Union Camping Grounds from 3^rd – 5^th March 2016. Many important personalities came to address the youth from different Interact Clubs including my own Our Lady of Africa Namilyango, erectile Kololo SSS, web SMACOL and many others.

It was my first time to see up close the Nabagereka of Buganda HRH Sylvia Nagginda. In her speech, the Nabagereka Sylvia Nagginda advised youth to be of good character and look out for others rather than being selfish. She said a good reputation would ensure a good future for the youth and invited adolescents to attend Kisaakate where they would be taught cultural and social norms and home management.

She implored the youth to share their knowledge with others saying “A candle looses nothing by lighting another candle’’
The other speaker at the camp, Mrs. Victoria Kisalale the Headmistress Gayaza High School spoke about the 5Cs of responsible adolescence which include;

1. Confidence building
2. Connection
3. Competency
4. Character
5. Contribution

Speaking about leadership opportunities in Interact, Rtn Gava Ibrahim explained the history of Interact and said it carried out humanitarian activities within the larger family of Rotary. He said Interact was not just about fun and games for the youth aged 12 – 18 yrs but about Service above Self. He said Interact Clubs were sponsored by Rotary Clubs which lend support in their governance but are largely self governing and self supporting. He said Interact helped expose youth to new ideas. He concluded with a historical quote from Martin Luther King: ’’If u can’t fly, then run. If u can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl but whatever you do, keep moving forward.’’

According to another speaker Mrs. Maraka Joy Veronica a responsible youth was trusted at his/her place of work, had self esteem and self worth, was destined to be a great leader as more opportunities opened up. She said morality was caught not taught and there was no right way to do a wrong thing. She also quoted Leo Buscaglia “Your talent is God’s gift to you, what you do with it is your gift back to God”
My most important learnings about leadership were:

1. That a person should have an upright and balanced character which is the key to success.
2. That character is determined by ones reputation for the future.
3. Leadership is more than the services a leader makes.
4. Good leaders look out for others more than themselves.
5. Leadership is not determined from ones qualifications for success but character.
6. Leadership can be learnt

RYLA was not just about the serious stuff about leadership development. There were fun moments such as physical fitness, jogging, sack racing and poetry. Also there was a dancing comp which was won by Team Red.
The overall winners were the Green Giants and they celebrated by cutting cake.
Patricia Mbabazi is a member of the Interact Club of Our Lady of Africa Namilyango (OLAN)