Joy Mwenda
International Service Director
Rotaract Club
It is on a Saturday afternoon. The snow-capped Mount Kenya is visible from the background. We are at The Solidarity Children’s Home in Meru County, Kenya at the slopes of the tallest mountain in Kenya, Mount Kenya. My guest is a Project Coordinator at this premise where she oversees all the projects. I ask her how she manages to run such a heavy task, in spite of being a student in Nairobi, almost 300 km away and of course she tells me, Ni God Manzee.., typical of any Kenyan managing it well in life. So on this particular day, she is preparing the facility for some function where she is to engage with the children hosted here. She takes me through her calendar of events, and of course we have some small talk before heading to the interview. Due to her tight schedule, we could only afford to talk about the most central part of her life but before the interview, I cannot forget to create for you her picture so that you can connect it to her words.
Joy Mwenda donned gothic clothes in a rebellious way, matching with her glossy skin with her coral black hair tumbling over her shoulders. She had a cheerful personality and her baby face screaming joy like her name.
GIVE US YOUR BRIEF INTRODUCTION
My name is Joy Mwenda, born 21 years ago, currently a student of B.Com at KCA University in Kenya. I am also a graphics designer. I am the current Project Coordinator at Solidarity Children’s Home,Meru . I am also the International Service Director of Rotaract Club of Mt. Kenya Meru. I was formerly the president and the Charter President of the same club.
CRITICS OUT THERE SAY ROTARACT CLUB IS AN ORGANISATION OF SPOILT PARTY ANIMALS DISGUISED AS COMMUNITY SERVICE LEADERS. YOUR TAKE?
In Rotaract as a club worldwide, our main aim is to have fun in service. Every branch has its own signature projects whereby they deliver services to the community in different ways. Our work is known across the board. That notwithstanding, sherehe kwetu ni sharia (having fun is our culture)
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO JOIN ROTARACT CLUB AND HOW HAS IT BEEN SINCE?
When I lost my dad in 2019, I felt the need to chanel my pain on something and that is when I decided to join Rotaract Club. At that time, there was no Rotaract club at all in the Meru region of Kenya, so in order to be closer home with the club, I introduced it in my home area, Meru. I can credit myself for faming Rotaract Club in the entire region east of Mount Kenya. After the successful stint as the resident of the Meru branch, I took a break for some ersonal development. I went back as the International Director of the Club and I have since been very instrumental at overseeing projects in different places of the larger Meru Region. The club has also enabled me to meet new people and build networks. I motto at Rotaract is service above self which has helped me to focus in considering others ahead of myself, and this is an act of virtue called selflessness. Rotaract Club is also made of young people and therefore, it is a place full of fun and entertainment as we give back to the society whilst enjoying. The only challenge that I can confirm is the fact that I am an introvert and at times it becomes very hard to work with people. The four way test has also helped me lead life better and become even a better individual. I would advise any young person out there to join Rotaract Club for a chance to give back, build networks and have fun while doing the above.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?
I am a drawing artist. I draw and design. I am a budding skater and illustratior. I am also very fond of being around children. I love children.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR
Humans. I am a big introvert as stated before.
DREAM DESTINATION?
I have quite a number.
CELEBRITY CRUSH?
AG BABYYY and Kizz Daniel
LAST WORDS?
Have fun at whatever you do, because life is for the living. And choop life because problems dey finish (problems never end).
Linctanc 